RICHMOND, Va. – The Stony Brook football program revealed its 2026 schedule, featuring five games at home in 2026, a season-opening road trip to Delaware State for the first time in program history and hosting the annual Battle for the Golden Apple at LaValle Stadium.

The Seawolves look to continue their steady climb entering year three of the Billy Cosh era. Under Cosh's guidance Stony Brook has accumulated 14 wins over the last two seasons, equaling its total from the prior four seasons combined before Cosh arrived on Long Island.

Season Opener in Dover
The Seawolves open the 2026 campaign on Aug. 27 with a trip to Delaware for their first-ever meeting with Delaware State. Led by head coach and former NFL standout DeSean Jackson, the Hornets are coming off an 8-4 season in 2025, going undefeated in conference play, seeing Jackson earn HBCU Coach of the Year honors.

Opening the Gates at LaValle Stadium
Stony Brook returns to LaValle Stadium on Sept. 3 to face Lindenwood for the second straight season. The Lions defeated the Seawolves 30-27 in this season's meeting in Missouri. Stony Brook owns a 6-6 record in its last 12 home openers, dating back to the 2013 season.

First-Ever Trip to Ball State
The Seawolves travel to Muncie, Indiana, on Sept. 12 for their inaugural matchup against Ball State. Ball State represents Stony Brook's lone FBS opponent of the season, extending the Seawolves' streak of facing at least one FBS opponent in every full season since 2010. The Seawolves search for their second all-time win over an FBS program, with their first coming against Army in 2012.

Hosting the Champs
Stony Brook returns home on Sept. 19 to host reigning CAA champion Rhode Island. The Rams are coming off a perfect 8-0 CAA season in 2025, finishing 11-3 overall before falling in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. The Seawolves are 7-4 all-time against URI and will look to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.

Rivalry with Fordham Continues
On Sept. 26, the Seawolves head to Fordham for the 10th all-time meeting between the programs. Under Cosh, Stony Brook is 2-0 against the Rams, earning a 41-18 win last season and a 27-21 victory in the Bronx in 2024, which snapped Fordham's three-game winning streak in the series. Stony Brook holds a 5-4 all-time advantage, dating back to 1987, and is 2-2 on the road against Fordham.

The Boys Are Going to Baltimore
Following a bye week, the Seawolves open October with a road trip to Baltimore to face Towson on Oct. 10. In the most recent meeting on Oct. 25, 2025, quarterback Quinn Boyd made his first career start and threw a touchdown pass to lead Stony Brook to a 27-19 victory on homecoming. The Seawolves' last trip to Baltimore featured a program-record six touchdown passes from quarterback Tyler Knoop in a 52-24 win.

Battle for the Golden Apple
Stony Brook will host UAlbany on Oct. 17 to defend the Golden Apple after retaining the trophy in 2024. The matchup marks the 28th meeting between the rivals and the 12th consecutive season both programs have competed as CAA members. UAlbany leads the all-time series 16-11. In the most recent meeting on Oct. 4, 2025, the Seawolves recorded their largest margin of victory and highest point total in Golden Apple history with a 47-12 win in Albany.

Back at Bryant
In its final road game of October, Stony Brook will travel across the Sound to face Bryant on Oct. 24. The programs will meet for the third straight season, with the Seawolves winning the previous two matchups by scores of 35-28 and 31-30. Stony Brook has won four straight against Bryant and holds a 5-1 all-time record in the series, with its lone loss coming in 2014. The Seawolves closed the 2025 regular season with a 35-28 senior day win over the Bulldogs at LaValle Stadium.

Welcome to the CAA, Sacred Heart! 
Stony Brook welcomes Sacred Heart to LaValle Stadium on Halloween, marking the program's first meeting as CAA members. The Pioneers have won six Northeast Conference championships and earned four FCS playoff appearances since 2013, including back-to-back titles in both 2013-14 and 2020-21. Competing as an independent in 2025, Sacred Heart finished 8-4 overall. Stony Brook holds an 11-5 all-time record against the Pioneers, including a 7-4 mark at home. The teams last met in 2017, when the Seawolves earned a 45-7 victory on Long Island.

Heading South
Stony Brook opens the final month of the regular season on Nov. 7 with a trip to Buies Creek, North Carolina, to face Campbell. The matchup marks just the second meeting between the programs. The first came on Sept. 21, 2024, when the Seawolves earned a 24-17 road victory. Dempster rushed for 179 yards and scored three touchdowns in the win.

The Final Road Trip
The Seawolves close their road schedule with a trip to New Hampshire for the 13th meeting between the programs on Nov. 14. Stony Brook will look to snap a five-game losing streak against the Wildcats. In the most recent matchup in 2024, the Seawolves fell 31-30 despite three passing touchdowns from Tyler Knoop. New Hampshire finished fourth in the CAA in 2025 behind Rhode Island, Villanova and Monmouth.

Home Finale
Stony Brook concludes the regular season on Nov. 21 with a home game against Hampton. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs and the third first-time opponent on the Seawolves' 2026 schedule. In last season's regular-season finale, Stony Brook snapped a three-year senior day losing streak with a victory over Bryant at LaValle Stadium.

To purchase season tickets, call 631-632-WOLF (9653) or email the ticket office at seawolvestickets@stonybrook.edu.

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