No. 4 Gorillas face No. 1 Bulldogs in 2026 opener Thursday
No. 4 Pittsburg State opens its 2026 Ferris State football showdown Thursday, Aug. 27, when the Gorillas host preseason No. 1 Ferris State at 7:05 p.m. CDT at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kansas. The MIAA Football Game of the Week pits the Bulldogs' 30-game winning streak against Pitt State's bid for a fourth MIAA crown in five seasons.
Key Takeaways
- No. 4 Pittsburg State hosts No. 1 Ferris State on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7:05 p.m. CDT at Carnie Smith Stadium.
- Ferris State carries a 30-game winning streak after a 16-0 2025 season and its fourth national title in five years.
- Pitt State's 19-3 win on Aug. 31, 2024 remains Ferris State's last road loss and the most recent Gorillas victory in the series.
- Watch on KMCI (38 The Spot) in the Kansas City area or stream via Fubo.
- The game headlines a seven-game MIAA opening-night slate across the conference.
When and where can you watch Ferris State vs Pittsburg State?
Thursday's season opener kicks off at 7:05 p.m. CDT at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kansas—8:00 p.m. ET for East Coast viewers. KMCI (38 The Spot) will carry the broadcast in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area as the MIAA Football Game of the Week.
Out-of-market fans can stream the matchup on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers. Regional restrictions may apply.
Why does this Ferris State football opener matter nationally?
Ferris State finished 16-0 in 2025, capturing its fourth NCAA Division II national championship in five years under head coach Tony Annese. The Bulldogs enter 2026 ranked No. 1 in the AFCA preseason poll with sophomore quarterback Wyatt Bower returning after 1,980 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, plus slot receiver Taariik Brett after nine touchdown catches last season.
Pittsburg State is ranked No. 4 nationally—the highest among MIAA teams—and went 10-3 in 2025 with a share of the conference championship. Head coach Tom Anthony, in his third season, has an 18-6 record and is chasing the Gorillas' fourth MIAA title in five seasons. For more spotlight coverage, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
What is the Ferris State-Pitt State series history?
Thursday marks the fourth all-time meeting between the programs, dating to a 17-14 Ferris State playoff win in November 2022. Pitt State stunned the Bulldogs 19-3 on Aug. 31, 2024—the last road loss Ferris State has suffered and the start of Tom Anthony's head coaching tenure.
Ferris State answered with a 34-17 win in Big Rapids on Aug. 28, 2025. The Bulldogs are 35-4 on the road since 2018, but Carnie Smith Stadium has been hostile before: the Gorillas forced four turnovers and limited FSU to 171 total yards in that 2024 upset, per Pittsburg State Athletics.
Who are the key players to watch?
On the Ferris State side, Wyatt Bower returns at quarterback after a breakout 2025 season, while Taariik Brett adds an explosive element from the slot. The Bulldogs beat Harding 42-21 in last season's national championship game to cap their undefeated run.
Pittsburg State faces quarterback uncertainty after Jackson Berry transferred to Fort Hays State following 2,711 passing yards in 2025. Receiver Kuron Parchmon is a proven weapon with 39 catches for 603 yards and five touchdowns last season. Kicker Austin Schmitt booted 19 field goals in 2025 and earned MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year honors.