Surprise, Ariz. – The OUAZ football team will open the 2026 season looking to build on an impressive 8-1 campaign from a year ago while entering the second season under head coach Reilly Murphy. After earning a share of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Championship in 2025, the Spirit return with high expectations as they prepare for another challenging schedule featuring conference battles and two non-conference matchups.
The Spirit will begin the season with a Week 0 matchup against Montana Tech on August 27 in Butte, Montana for a non-conference opener. The nationally anticipated showdown features two of the NAIA's most explosive offenses and will serve as one of the first games of the 2026 college football season. OUAZ will then travel to Wayland Baptist on September 5 before returning to Surprise for the 2026 home opener against Nelson (TX) on September 12.
OUAZ will look to continue its success at Spirit Field after establishing itself as one of the toughest home environments in the SAC. The Spirit will host five home contests in 2026, welcoming Nelson, Oklahoma Panhandle State, Langston, Texas College, and Texas Wesleyan. The October 10 matchup against Texas College will serve as Senior Night, while the November 7 contest against Texas Wesleyan will mark the regular season home finale.
The Spirit will compete in a full SAC schedule throughout the season, featuring matchups against conference opponents including Wayland Baptist, Nelson, Oklahoma Panhandle State, Langston, Texas College, Arkansas Baptist, Texas Wesleyan, and Louisiana Christian. The Spirit will also play at Arizona Christian on October 17 will serve as OUAZ's last non-conference contest of the regular season.
Coming off a conference co-championship season, OUAZ will look to continue its momentum and compete for another SAC title and a berth to the NAIA National Tournament as the Spirit enter the second year of the Reilly Murphy era.
Season ticket renewals for the 2026 OUAZ football season are available now for current season ticket holders. Season tickets will become available to the general public on August 14, while single-game tickets will go on sale beginning August 28.
