ABILENE, TX – Fresh off back-to-back Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) championships, the McMurry University War Hawks are officially returning to their roots. The university has released its highly anticipated 2026 football schedule, marking the program's exciting return to the American Southwest Conference (ASC).

"We are very excited about renewing old rivalries with our move back to the American Southwest Conference. We also have some really challenging non-league games that will test our program," said head coach Jordan Neal. "Our players and coaches have worked hard in the off-season preparing for a tough schedule, but we will be ready!"

Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2026 squad during War Hawk Day, which will take place on March 28 at Wilford Moore Stadium.

A Demanding September Start
The War Hawks will kick off the season with consecutive away games. On September 5, they face Southwestern University, aiming to break a recent losing streak against the Pirates, who narrowly beat McMurry 27-19 in 2025 and 24-20 in 2024.

The following week, on September 12, McMurry heads to San Antonio to play Trinity University, which finished the 2025 season ranked #21 nationally by D3football.com. These two road games mark key early tests for the War Hawks.

McMurry's home opener at Wilford Moore Stadium falls on September 19 against Huntingdon College. Fans can expect fireworks, as Huntingdon claimed a high-scoring 52-46 victory in the final seconds of last year's meeting. The opening month concludes on September 26 with a trip to Iowa to take on the University of Dubuque.

October Brings the ASC Return
Following a bye week, McMurry will officially kick off its highly anticipated ASC return on October 10 by hosting crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons University. The Cowboys finished 2025 ranked #14, sharing the ASC title, and have squeaked past McMurry by five points in each of their last two meetings, 24-19 last year and 17-12 in 2024.

The War Hawks will briefly step out of conference play on October 17 to host Westgate Christian University at Wilford Moore Stadium before diving into the meat of the ASC schedule.

On October 24, McMurry hosts the other 2025 ASC co-champion, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, setting the stage for a critical home contest.

The month wraps up with a Halloween road trip to Marshall, Texas, to face East Texas Baptist University on October 31.

November Homecoming and the Season Finale
McMurry's 2026 Homecoming is November 7, featuring conference foe Howard Payne University, and last season's game ended in a dramatic walk-off defensive score, highlighting the excitement of Homecoming for fans.

The regular season concludes on November 14 in Kerrville, Texas, as the War Hawks hit the road to face Schreiner University, a program entering just its second year of NCAA football and first season in the ASC.
 

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2026 McMurry War Hawks Football Schedule
(2025 records in brackets; * denotes ASC game)

Sept. 5, 2026 at Southwestern University [4-6] (Georgetown, TX / Birkelbach Stadium) | 6:00 PM
Sept. 12, 2026 at Trinity University [10-2] (San Antonio, TX / Tiger Stadium) | 6:00 PM
Sept. 19, 2026 vs. Huntingdon College [6-4] (Abilene, TX / Wilford Moore Stadium) | 1:00 PM
Sept. 26, 2026 at University of Dubuque [4-6] (Dubuque, IA / Chalmers Field) | 1:00 PM
Oct. 3, 2026 — BYE WEEK
Oct. 10, 2026 vs. Hardin-Simmons University* [9-2] (Abilene, TX / Wilford Moore Stadium) | 1:00 PM
Oct. 17, 2026 vs. Westgate Christian University [2-7] (Abilene, TX / Wilford Moore Stadium) | 1:00 PM
Oct. 24, 2026 vs. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor* [7-3] (Abilene, TX / Wilford Moore Stadium) | 1:00 PM
Oct. 31, 2026 at East Texas Baptist University* [4-6] (Marshall, TX / Ornelas Stadium) | 1:00 PM
Nov. 7, 2026 vs. Howard Payne University* [4-6] (Abilene, TX / Wilford Moore Stadium) | 1:00 PM | HOMECOMING
Nov. 14, 2026 at Schreiner University* [5-1] (Kerrville, TX / Antler Stadium) | 1:00 PM