BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary football team sets sail for Big Sky Country to open the Marauders 2026 11-game schedule.
Playing a neutral site game for the first time since 2007, UMary drops anchor in Glendive, MT, to face Rocky Mountain College for a Week 0 non-conference meeting on Thursday, August 27. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm CT / 6:30 pm MT at the Oakland Athletic Complex Perham Field.
The Marauders and the Battlin' Bears have a long history. UMary's first opponent in school history was Rocky Mountain in 1988. The Marauders emerged victorious with a 27-18 home win in their inaugural game and have defeated the Battlin' Bears in 11-of-14 meetings.
The two programs last met in 2005 - the Marauders last season in the transition from NAIA to competing in NCAA Division II - with UMary claiming a 38-14 road win over Rocky Mountain.
UMary has several ties to the Treasure State. Head coach
Shann Schillinger grew up in Baker, MT, and played for the University of Montana. Running backs coach Van Cooper played with Schillinger at Montana and has coached in the Frontier League, the home conference of Rocky Mountain. Linebackers coach
Eli Alford also played at Montana, Wide receivers coach
Tanyon Bissell is a Montana native, and offensive line coach Mike Person grew up in Glendive, MT, before playing at Montana State University.
Additionally three Marauders scholar-athletes are Montana natives.
The Battlin' Bears also have ties to UMary. RMC head coach Randy Bandelow was an assistant coach for the Marauders for three seasons from 2016-2019. RMC offensive coordinator Nick Voorhees coached two seasons at UMary (2017, 2018).
UMary then jumps right into Northern Sun play Labor Day weekend when the Marauders host a Minnesota State University squad that advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. Kickoff between the Marauders and the Mavericks is 6 pm on Saturday, September 5 at the MDU Resources Community Bowl, UMary's home field.
Following a visit to Concordia-St. Paul on September 12, UMary hosts the University of Sioux Falls at 2 pm on September 19. The Marauders close out the month with a visit to Northern State University on September 26.
Homecoming 2026 for UMary features a visit from the University of Jamestown for a 2 pm meeting on October 3. This is the Jimmies first visit to the Capital City for a conference game since 2005. UMary hosted Jamestown for a non-conference game in 2024.
The Battle for the Paddle, one of two UMary trophy games, is slated for October 10 at MSU Moorhead.
Following their only open weekend of the season, the Marauders host defending NSIC champion University of Minnesota Duluth on October 24 in a 1 pm ballgame.
In the only back-to-back road games of the season, the Marauders face Minot State University in the Battle for the Big Lake trophy on October 31 before visiting Winona State University on November 7.
The Marauders conclude the 2026 regular season with a visit from Bemidji State University on November 14. Senior Day kickoff is set for 1 pm in UMary's final game at the MDU Resources Bowl before moving back to campus for the 2027 season.
Single game and season tickets will be available for purchase in July at
www.UMaryTickets.com.
| Aug. 27 |
Rocky Mountain College |
Glendive, MT |
7:30 pm CT / 6:30 pm MT |
| Sept. 5 |
Minnesota State University* |
Bismarck, ND |
6 pm |
| Sept. 12 |
Concordia-St. Paul* |
St. Paul. MN |
12 noon |
| Sept. 19 |
University of Sioux Falls* |
Bismarck, ND |
2 pm |
| Sept. 26 |
Northern State University* |
Aberdeen, SD |
2:30 pm |
| Oct. 3 |
University of Jamestown* (Homecoming '26) |
Bismarck, ND |
2 pm |
| Oct. 10 |
MSU Moorhead* |
Moorhead, MN |
12 noon |
| Oct. 24 |
University of Minnesota Duluth* |
Bismarck, ND |
1 pm |
| Oct. 31 |
Minot State University* |
Minot, ND |
2 pm |
| Nov. 7 |
Winona State University* |
Winona, MN |
1 pm |
| Nov. 14 |
Bemidji State University* |
Bismarck, ND |
1 pm |
#marauders#
