CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference will host its 2026 Football Kickoff on Wednesday, July 22nd at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. from 9:00 am ET/6:00 am PT to 1:30 pm ET/10:30 am PT.
The MAC Football Kickoff will open the 80
th season of MAC Football, which officially begins on Saturday, August 29th, and will conclude with the 2026 MAC Football Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, December 5th at Noon ET/9 am PT (ESPN).
MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher will be joined by the head coaches from each member institution as well as two student-athlete representatives. Steinbrecher will begin the Football Kickoff with his address to the media at 11 am ET. All head coaches and student-athletes will be available to the media throughout the event.
MAC football fans around the country will be able to watch the live show previewing the upcoming 2026 season and will also have the opportunity to interact with the head coaches, student-athletes, and the conference office on social media. The Conference will post updates throughout the day using its X (@MACSports), Instagram (@MACSports), Facebook (@GetSomeMACtion) and TikTok (@MACSports) feeds.
For more information on MAC Football, please visit GetSomeMACtion.com or follow us on X at @MACSports.
Media can apply for credentials for the 2026 MAC Football Kickoff
HERE.
2026 MAC Football Kickoff Head Coaches & Student-Athletes
Akron
Head Coach Joe Moorhead (5th Season)
Jordan Gant, R-Sr., RB, Lakeland, Fla.
Cyrus Durham, R-Jr., DE, Atherton, Calif.
Ball State
Head Coach Mike Uremovich (2nd Season)
Chris Hood, R-Sr., OL, Kendallville, Ind.
Justin Thomas, R-Sr., LB, Flossmoor, Ill.
Bowling Green
Head Coach Eddie George (2nd Season)
Austyn Dendy, So., RB, Pine Bluff, Ark.
Eriq George, Sr., DE, Nashville, Tenn.
Buffalo
Head Coach Pete Lembo (3rd Season)
Terrance Shelton Jr., Jr., RB, Franklin, Wis.
Cornell Evans, Grad., DT, Seat Pleasant, Md.
Central Michigan
Head Coach Matt Drinkall (2nd Season)
Langston Lewis, R-Sr., WR, Savannah, Ga.
Jaion Jackson, Jr., DB, East St. Louis, Ill.
Eastern Michigan
Head Coach Chris Creighton (13th Season)
Noah Kim, Grad., QB, Centreville, Va.
Bryce Llewellyn, Sr., DB, Indianapolis, Ind.
Kent State
Head Coach Mark Carney (2nd season)
Dru DeShields, R-Jr., QB, Beloit, Ohio
Thomas Aden, Sr., DL, Lakewood, Ohio
Massachusetts
Head Coach Joe Harasymiak (2nd season)
Pop Watson III, R-Jr., QB, Springfield, Mass.
Tyler Martin, R-Sr., LB, Acton, Mass.
Miami
Head Coach Chuck Martin (13th season)
Eric Smith, R-Sr., OL, Fairmont, W.Va.
Malcolm McCain, LB, Snellville, Ga.
