The Sacramento State Hornets and the Sam Houston State Bearkats have scheduled a home-and-home football series for 2023 and 2024, FBSchedules.com has learned.
A copy of the official game contract was obtained from the California State University, Sacramento, via a state public records request.
In the first game of the series, Sacramento State will travel to face Sam Houston State at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas, on September 2, 2023. The Hornets will host the Bearkats the following season at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, Calif., on September 14, 2024, which will conclude the series.
Sacramento State, a member of the Big Sky Conference, and Sam Houston State, a member of the Southland Conference, have never squared off on the gridiron.
The Hornets have won five conference championships, one in the Big Sky in 2019, and appeared in the FCS Playoffs last season for the first time in their history. The Bearkats claim 13 conference championships, six in the Southland Conference, and have appeared in the FCS playoffs on 11 occasions.
Sam Houston State is the second scheduled non-conference opponent for Sacramento State for the 2023 season and third for the 2024 season. Also on the 2023 slate for the Hornets is a game at Stanford on Sept. 16.
In 2024, Sacramento State is also scheduled to play at San Jose State on Aug. 31 and at Fresno State on Sept. 7. The game with Sam Houston State tentatively completes their slate for the season, although FCS teams can schedule a 12th game in 2024 if they desire due to the calendar.
With the addition of Sacramento State, Sam Houston State has completed their non-conference schedule for the 2023 season. The Bearkats are also scheduled to host Texas Southern on Sept. 9 and travel to face Dixie State on Nov. 4.
Like Sacramento State, Sam Houston State also has two other non-conference games set for 2024 and can schedule another if they want. Other opponents for the Bearkats in 2024 include Rice on Aug. 31 and Texas Southern on Sept. 7, both on the road.
Football Schedules