The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced an update to the 2026 schedule on Friday morning.

The conference's nine teams will each play one another in the new format. The Penguins home and away opponents do not change from the previous version while a September visit to Youngstown by South Dakota replaces a previously scheduled Halloween home matchup against North Dakota State.

YSU will play the Coyotes in the league opener at Stambaugh Stadium on Sept. 26 before playing road games at Southern Illinois (Oct. 3) and at Indiana State (Oct. 10).

The Penguins entertain UNI on Oct. 17, visit South Dakota State on Oct. 24 and have North Dakota at home on Oct. 31.

The month of November features a road trip to Murray State (Nov. 7) and a visit from National Championship finalist Illinois State on Nov. 14.

YSU's bye week falls on the final weekend of the regular season.

The current non-conference slate includes Mercyhust (August 27), at Kentucky (Sept. 5), vs. Duquesne (Sept. 12) and at Sacramento State (Sept. 19).

Youngstown State has advanced to the FCS playoffs in each of the past two seasons.

YSU's 2026 MVFC Schedule

Sept. 26 vs. South Dakota
Oct. 3 at Southern Illinois
Oct. 10 at Indiana State
Oct. 17 vs. UNI
Oct. 24 at South Dakota State
Oct. 31 vs. North Dakota
Nov. 7 at Murray State
Nov. 14 vs. Illinois State