CORRECTED: Albany State football announces kickoff times

ALBANY — Albany State’s 2026 football season will begin with a reunion — and a major road test.

The Golden Rams will open the season Aug. 29 at Florida A&M in a matchup that reunites Albany State with former head coach Quinn Gray and former Golden Rams quarterback Isaiah Knowles. Kickoff in Tallahassee is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Albany State Athletics announced kickoff times this week for the 2026 season, a schedule filled with rivalry games, SIAC showdowns and nationally recognized HBCU events.

The season opener immediately places the Golden Rams on one of the sport’s biggest stages against a FAMU program now led by Gray, who revitalized Albany State football before leaving for Tallahassee. Knowles, one of the SIAC’s most electrifying quarterbacks during his time with the Golden Rams, is also expected to face his former program.

The opener also gives first-year Albany State head coach David Bowser an early measuring stick against one of the premier brands in HBCU football.

The spotlight remains on the Golden Rams the following week.

Albany State will travel to Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 6 for the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic against Johnson C. Smith with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. The nationally recognized event adds another compelling storyline as Bowser faces his former school after leaving Johnson C. Smith to take over the Golden Rams program.

Albany State continues its road-heavy opening stretch Sept. 12 at Savannah State with kickoff set for 6 p.m. before opening SIAC play Sept. 19 at Allen University in Columbia, S.C., at 2 p.m.

The Golden Rams return home Sept. 26 to host Kentucky State at 1 p.m. in their Albany home opener.

Albany State’s annual Homecoming game is scheduled for Oct. 10 against Lane College with kickoff set for 2 p.m. The Golden Rams then travel Oct. 17 to face Tuskegee in one of the conference’s marquee matchups with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m.

The final home game of the regular season comes Oct. 24 when Albany State hosts defending SIAC champion Benedict College at 1 p.m. in a game that could carry major conference championship implications.

Albany State closes the regular season Oct. 31 at Clark Atlanta with a 2 p.m. kickoff before renewing its longtime rivalry with Fort Valley State on Nov. 7 in the annual Fountain City Classic in Columbus.

The Golden Rams enter the season looking to continue building momentum under Bowser, who has emphasized strengthening recruiting ties throughout Southwest Georgia while maintaining the championship expectations surrounding the program.

Albany State officials also announced that 2026 season tickets are now on sale. An early bird special priced at $135 runs through July 1 and includes admission to the Fountain City Classic.

With a season-opening trip to Florida A&M, a nationally televised appearance in Canton and another challenging SIAC schedule ahead, excitement around Golden Rams football is already beginning to build months before kickoff.