The New Haven Chargers will play at the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in 2026, New Haven Director of Athletics Devin Crosby announced.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Connecticut Scoreboard Podcast, Crosby revealed that the Chargers, new to Division I this fall, will make the trip to play South Dakota State at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, S.D.
“We are going to travel to South Dakota State in football next year, September of 2026,” Crosby said. “They’re one of the best teams, as you know, in FCS Division I football.”
Early last month, New Haven announced they were moving up from Division II and the Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) and were joining the Northeast Conference (NEC) in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). At the time, it was unclear when the Chargers would make the move.
Then on May 22, the school announced it would begin play in Division I this fall and revealed an overhauled 2025 football schedule, which includes seven FCS opponents. New Haven will be considered an FCS Transitional team in 2025, basically an Independent, so its games will not count in the league standings.
After a discussion on creating the 2025 slate, Crosby confirmed on the Connecticut Scoreboard Podcast that New Haven will begin NEC play in 2026.
“There were some sleepless nights between myself and Coach Mark Pal,” Crosby said. “We literally had to use our relationships across the country, calling other athletic directors in Division I and other football coaches in Division I to put together a schedule in a matter of 18 days. It’s a one-year thing, so in 2026, we’ll be inserted into the full NEC football schedule, and we’ll be just fine.”
As for South Dakota State, it now has two known non-conference games for the 2026 season. The Jackrabbits are also slated to visit the Northwestern Wildcats on Sept. 12.
FOOTBALL SCHEDULES
My Hometown Chicago State will be joining NEC in 26.
Which has nothing to do with this game. Hopefully, SDSU wins by enough the entire NEC leaves the FCS, since you brought it up.
Why are you anti NEC
I thought it was short, but clear, in my previous post. The NEC is a group of lower division teams that don’t belong at this level.
Two playoff wins since 2011.
OOC record combined for the NEC in 2023 was 6-25 with their only FCS wins being Stonehill over Georgetown and CCSU over Delaware State.
Put any team from the MVFC in the NEC and they are conference champions.
JM–very bitter. The schools do belong at this level, should they decide to belong at this level. Your opinion is respected, but that doesn’t mean you’re right here.
Happy Father’s Day
I emailed the New Haven AD. He emailed back. He gets it.
He has a new fan
Me.
jj
why?
do Kennesaw State and Jax State belong in FBS? no—We getting offended about FCS nonsense teams now?
I really like FBS Schedules no matter what team they do like Michigan in FBS or Villanova in FCS.
great insight by the new Z Man
Pretty sure Jax State has proven in their first two years they belong in FBS.
A better example would be the school that’s in the town you’re from
J Reed from Akron This new Z-Man have a lot of fun doing proposals & suggestions & enjoy myself wish other Z-Man would do this unfortunately he takes issues very seriously & he wants everything to come in a heartbeat.