The 2025 season was, honestly, a brutal one for anyone wearing the Black and Gold. If you followed the Marauders last fall, you already know the story. An 0-11 record. It’s the kind of season that makes even the most die-hard fans at Biemesderfer Stadium want to look away, but looking away won't fix a program that has struggled to find its footing in the PSAC East for a long time.
But things just got very interesting.
On January 14, 2026, Millersville University made the move everyone was waiting for. They hired Drew Folmar. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Folmar is a 2001 grad and a Hall of Fame quarterback for the 'Ville. He’s the guy who led the team to the NCAA Playoffs back in ’99. Bringing him home isn't just a nostalgia trip; it is a desperate, calculated attempt to fix a team that has gone 64-198 since the turn of the millennium.
Now, everyone is looking at the millersville university football schedule for 2026 to see if this homecoming can actually translate into wins.
The 2026 Schedule: A Fresh Start for Folmar
The 2026 slate is out, and it is a doozy. Folmar doesn't get a "cupcake" game to start his tenure. He’s going back to West Virginia to face a team that gave them fits last year.
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Here is how the 2026 season lays out. No fancy tables here, just the raw dates you need to circle.
The season kicks off on September 5 with a road trip to Glenville State. Last year, Glenville beat the Marauders 44-28 in Millersville, so starting on the road against them is a massive litmus test.
Then comes the home opener. On September 12, the Marauders host California (PA). This is a tough out. Cal is traditionally a PSAC powerhouse, and following that up on September 19 with another home game against Slippery Rock makes for a terrifying three-week start. Slippery Rock is usually ranked in the Top 25 of Division II. If Folmar can even split those first three, the vibe in Lancaster County will shift overnight.
Into the PSAC East Gauntlet
Once the crossover games end, the divisional grind begins.
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- September 26: At West Chester. This is a rivalry that has been one-sided lately.
- October 3: At Shepherd. Shepherd has been a dominant force since joining the PSAC, and playing in Shepherdstown is never easy.
- October 10: Shippensburg comes to town. This is usually a physical, "old school" football game.
- October 17: Kutztown arrives at Biemesderfer. Keep in mind, Kutztown was a top-5 team last year and won the PSAC title.
- October 24: A road trip to Bloomsburg.
The schedule ends with a weird one on October 31 at Lackawanna College. Lackawanna is transitioning to DII and joining the PSAC in 2026, so this is a bit of a historic matchup for the conference. Finally, the Marauders finish at home against East Stroudsburg on November 7 and then a long trek to Clarion on November 14.
Why Last Year Went So Wrong
You can't talk about the future without acknowledging the wreckage of 2025. Basically, the defense couldn't stop a leak. Millersville gave up an average of 45.7 points per game. You aren't going to win many games when the other team is scoring six touchdowns every Saturday.
The offense had some bright spots, like Mekhi Ashby and Isaiah Emmanuel in the backfield, but the consistency wasn't there. J.C. Morgan was fired mid-season after an 0-5 start, and the team just never recovered. They finished the season with a 63-10 loss to Edinboro. It was the definition of "rock bottom."
The "Folmar Effect" and What to Watch For
Drew Folmar isn't just a former player; he’s an offensive mastermind. He spent years as the OC at Elon, Lehigh, and most recently Bucknell. He knows how to develop quarterbacks. That’s been a glaring hole for the Marauders for years.
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Honestly, the 2026 millersville university football schedule is less about the opponents and more about the culture shift. Folmar has already said he’s focusing on "Marauder Pride," which sounds like a cliché, but when you’ve lost 11 straight games, you need a reason to believe.
Watch the quarterback room this spring. With Folmar’s history of coaching record-setters, the way the Marauders move the ball will look fundamentally different by September. He’s also got deep recruiting ties in Southeastern PA. Expect to see a lot more local talent from the Lancaster-Lebanon League staying home instead of heading to West Chester or Kutztown.
Actionable Steps for Marauder Fans
If you're planning on following the team this year, don't just show up on game day. Here is how to actually track the rebuild:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Folmar is going to need to bring in some immediate help on the defensive line. Keep an eye on the official Millersville Athletics site for roster additions this spring.
- Mark the Jan 21 Presser: Folmar is being formally introduced at noon on Wednesday, Jan 21. It’ll be on the PSAC Network. Listen to his plan for the defense—that’s the real key.
- Season Tickets: After an 0-11 season, there’s plenty of room at Biemesderfer. If the Folmar hire sparks the alumni, those home games against Slippery Rock and Kutztown will have a much different energy.
- Watch the Youth: Players like Asher Wolfe (LB) and Mekhi Ashby (RB) are the core. Seeing how they adapt to the new coaching staff during the spring game will tell you everything you need to know about the 2026 trajectory.
The 2026 season isn't going to be easy, but for the first time in a long time, there is a reason to actually look at the schedule with a bit of hope rather than dread.