Fordham Replaces CCSU With Trip to North Dakota State in 2026 Schedule Revision

Fordham's 2026 football schedule got a significant upgrade when the Rams replaced a trip to Central Connecticut State with a September 5 road game at North Dakota State, a 10-time FCS national champion in the process of moving up to the FBS.

The schedule revision, announced March 17, came after NDSU confirmed the matchup the previous week. For Fordham, it represents a sharp jump in non-conference competition: rather than a Sept. 5 visit to CCSU, the Rams will now make the trip to Fargo to face a program with one of the most decorated FCS resumes in history, just as that program exits the subdivision entirely.

The change is the second major revision to Fordham's 2026 slate in less than six months. The Rams had already reshuffled their schedule in October after Villanova and William & Mary were added to the Patriot League. Additional conference realignment forced another adjustment, producing the current version, which remains tentative and subject to change.

Fordham also shifted its season opener by one day. The Rams will now host Colgate at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx on Friday, August 28, with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. ET. The game also serves as the Patriot League opener for both programs.

From there, Fordham's non-conference schedule includes two FBS road trips: the September 5 game at North Dakota State and a September 12 visit to Coastal Carolina. The Rams then open Patriot League play in earnest with a September 19 road game at William & Mary, followed by a September 26 homecoming contest against Stony Brook.

The back half of Fordham's regular season is a gauntlet of Patriot League games. After a bye on October 31, the Rams close with road trips to Bucknell on November 7 and Holy Cross on November 21, sandwiching a final home game against Georgetown on November 14.

From NDSU's perspective, the Fordham game is the lone FCS opponent on a 2026 non-conference slate that also includes Jacksonville State at home and a road trip to Sacramento State. The Bison's schedule features nine Mountain West matchups, though their November 28 game at San Jose State will not count toward league standings.

Fordham's complete 2026 schedule, as currently listed:

Aug. 28: Colgate (Patriot League opener, Jack Coffey Field, 6:00 p.m. ET) Sept. 5: at North Dakota State Sept. 12: at Coastal Carolina Sept. 19: at William & Mary (Patriot League) Sept. 26: Stony Brook (homecoming) Oct. 3: at Lehigh (Patriot League) Oct. 10: Richmond (Patriot League) Oct. 17: Villanova (Patriot League) Oct. 24: Lafayette (Patriot League) Oct. 31: Off Nov. 7: at Bucknell (Patriot League) Nov. 14: Georgetown (Patriot League) Nov. 21: at Holy Cross (Patriot League)