Tampa, Fla. – The University of South Florida Bulls have finalized a new non‑conference matchup that gives the program a seventh home game for the first time since 2019. After the SEC expanded its conference schedule, Alabama’s 2026 visit to Bryant‑Denny Stadium was cancelled, leaving USF scrambling for a replacement opponent.
Kent State steps in as the new opponent
USF announced that the MAC’s Kent State Golden Flashes will travel to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night, September 12, 2026, for a game that will be broadcast on ESPN+. The deal was signed by interim athletic director Jay Stroman and later approved by new athletics chief Rob Higgins, who took over the department in October.
“We’re excited for our fans to have an extra game, a seventh game, in our final season at Raymond James Stadium,” Higgins said at the American Athletic Conference media days. He noted that the contract was ready for his signature when he assumed leadership, and the game was publicly announced in January.
Why the change mattered for USF’s schedule
USF’s previous three‑game agreement with Alabama, struck in 2019, had slated the Crimson Tide to visit Tampa in 2023 and the Bulls to travel to Tuscaloosa in 2024 and 2026. When the SEC announced a nine‑game conference slate for the 2026 season, the September 12 visit to Alabama was dropped, forcing USF to find a new opponent at the last minute.
USF already had an FCS opponent, Delaware State, slated for September 19. Adding another FCS team would have limited the Bulls’ bowl eligibility, as only one win against an FCS program counts toward the six‑win threshold. “You were in a situation where you already have an FCS team on the schedule and you don’t want to add a second one,” Higgins explained.
Financial upside for both schools
The arrangement includes a $1.2 million guarantee to Kent State, a figure that aligns with the typical payouts power‑conference programs provide to non‑power opponents. While it is rare for two non‑power schools to exchange seven‑figure sums, the deal reflects Kent State’s need for a guaranteed revenue stream.
Kent State’s executive deputy athletics director, Greg Glaus, said the Golden Flashes needed a non‑conference game and had been in talks with USF for months. “Not being in the first four weeks is a little unconventional for us,” Glaus noted, but the timing ultimately worked out.
For context, Kent State received $1.1 million for a 2023 trip to Fresno State, a 4,000‑mile round‑trip that ended in a 53‑10 loss. The 2026 payout brings the total of its seven‑figure guarantees for the year to $2.3 million, joining similar deals from South Carolina ($1.3 million) and Ohio State ($1.9 million) that together total $4.4 million.
Future scheduling and long‑term outlook
USF’s schedule still includes a return trip to Tuscaloosa in 2032, keeping the long‑term relationship with Alabama intact. In the meantime, the Bulls will also host FIU and Delaware State as part of their non‑conference slate.
The addition of Kent State not only fills a scheduling gap but also provides a financial boost that helps the athletics department fund scholarships, facility upgrades, and other program needs. It underscores USF’s commitment to delivering more home games for its fan base while navigating the shifting landscape of college football scheduling.
Community impact
Local fans will enjoy an extra Saturday night football experience at Raymond James Stadium, a venue that has become a centerpiece of Tampa’s sports culture. The game is expected to draw a sizable crowd, supporting local businesses and reinforcing the city’s reputation as a hub for major sporting events.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
