We are now entering the first full week of the 2026 HBCU football season, with a full slate of games beginning tonight, as a pair of SWAC teams face off against Power Four opponents.
Here are the 5 games to watch in Week 1 of the HBCU football season.
Delaware State vs. William & Mary
When: September 5; Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
The Delaware State Hornets look to keep themselves in the win column when they go on the road for a matchup against William & Mary.
Delaware State picked up where it left off after its strong 2025 season, overcoming a late surge by Stony Brook to come away with a 41-34 win to begin the year 1-0.
Continuing with the theme of a strong rushing attack from last season, DSU tallied 255 rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Quarterback Ui Ale paced the Hornets in his introduction to Dover, throwing for 259 yards and a touchdown while adding a team-high 82 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
They have a tough task on their hands in a William & Mary team that overcame a 10-point deficit in the final minute to beat Villanova 35-32 last weekend.
Kentucky State vs. Southern
When: September 5; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWACTV
In a weekend filled with SIAC vs. SWAC encounters, the Kentucky State Thorobreds engage in a meeting with the Southern Jaguars.
The last time Kentucky State faced a team in the SWAC, the game ended controversially when they turned the ball over in overtime to Grambling State.
The Thorobreds come into this game riding high following an impressive performance in their win over Central State, scoring 38 unanswered points on their way to a 41-14 victory.
An efficient passing game helped guide KSU to victory, completing 24-of-29 pass attempts among quarterbacks Juan Gainous and Denim Johnson.
Meanwhile, Southern kicked off the Marshall Faulk era with a strong showing against Alabama State, albeit in defeat.
Quarterback Christian Johnson made an impression in his first start with the Jaguars, tallying 174 passing yards along with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Edward Waters vs. Jackson State
When: September 5; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: HBCUGo
The SIAC preseason favorite, Edward Waters Tigers, get their biggest test of the 2026 season when they clash with reigning SWAC East division champion Jackson State.
This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other since the 2021 spring season in a game notable for being the debut of former Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders.
Edward Waters started the season with an impressive win over Florida Memorial, highlighted by a 35-point second quarter.
On the other hand, Jackson State escaped with a win over Tennessee State, capitalizing on a botched snap on what would have been a game-winning field goal attempt for TSU.
Texas Southern vs. Prairie View A&M
When: September 6; Time: 12:00 p.m.
How to Watch: ESPN2
In the first of a Sunday afternoon tripleheader, the Labor Day Classic commences at Panther Stadium when Prairie View A&M faces Texas Southern.
After having its nine-game win streak snapped in its home stadium the year before, Prairie View A&M got its revenge in dramatic fashion, beating Texas Southern on a walk-off touchdown as time expired.
In what was Texas Southern’s first season-opener against a team not named Prairie View A&M since 2018, the Tigers overcame an early double-digit deficit to beat North Carolina Central 42-30.
The win was marked by a dominant performance by running back Athean Renfro Jr., rushing for 163 yards on 9.1 yards per carry and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Panthers put up a fight against nationally ranked opponent Tarleton State but could not come away with the win.
Despite this, quarterback Tevin Carter shined, throwing for 309 yards and rushing for 130 yards, scoring a pair of touchdowns.
South Carolina State vs. Florida A&M
When: September 6; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN
The first full weekend of HBCU football concludes in Miami Gardens when Florida A&M meets the reigning Black College Football national champion South Carolina State in the Orange Blossom Classic.
Since joining the SWAC in 2021, Florida A&M has firmly had the upper hand on South Carolina State, claiming wins in all three of their meetings (four straight wins overall).
The Rattlers kicked off the Quinn Gray era successfully, enduring a struggle against his former team, Albany State, to win 20-7.
Florida A&M’s defense was the star of the show, lighting up Albany State at the line of scrimmage to the tune of 10 sacks.
South Carolina State had a much easier time at the office in Week 0, demolishing Savannah State in an 87-0 shutout, averaging nine yards per play on 70 plays.
