GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado football has released its schedule for the 2026 season, a roster of teams that includes seven programs that posted winning records and two who joined the Mountaineers in the NCAA 2025 postseason.

Western posted a 10-3 overall record last season, with a 7-2 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the first of those conference defeats on a final play field goal and the second on an overtime field goal.

The Mountaineers opened the NCAA Division II playoffs on the road with a 27-20 win at Central Washington before bowing out of the playoffs in the second round in overtime at home.

Western kicks off 2026 against Lone Star Conference opponents West Texas A&M (Aug. 27) and Angelo State (Sept. 3), opening on the road against the Buffaloes before coming home to play the Rams at Mojo Field at Mountaineer Bowl at The Rady Family Sports Complex.

The Mountaineers will then have a chance for payback for one of those losses last year, entertaining Chadron State at home on Sept. 12 in the RMAC opener for both teams. The Eagles suffered an opening round loss last season in the DII playoffs.

The schedule continues to flip-flop between away and home with a Sept. 19 date at Colorado Mesa, a Sept. 26 game at home against Adams State, an Oct. 3 visit to New Mexico Highlands, an dan Oct. 17 home date against Fort Lewis College.

Western splits the South Dakota schools in its next two games, traveling to Black Hills State on Oct. 24 before hosting South Dakota Mines on Oct. 31.

The season finishes with a home game on Senior Day against Colorado School of Mines on Nov. 7 followed by the regular season closer at Colorado State Pueblo on Nov. 14, the ThunderWolves the other RMAC representative in the playoffs but like Chadron State, first-round losers.

The Mountaineers have earned all-time winning records against seven of the upcoming season's opponents, including a 44-34 record against Adams State in the Colorado Classic, the second longest continuous rivalry game in the state of Colorado.

Tickets for home games at the Mountaineer Bowl are expected to go on sale in early August.