Honestly, if you're looking for the Southern Virginia football schedule, you’ve probably realized that following Division III football in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a bit different than tracking the SEC. It’s more personal. It’s about 1:00 PM kickoffs at Knight Stadium where the air smells like autumn and you can actually hear the pads popping from the sidelines.
Southern Virginia University (SVU) has had a wild ride lately. After jumping around conferences like a game of musical chairs—moving from the NJAC to the ODAC and finally settling into the USA South Athletic Conference—the program is finally finding its footing.
Under the leadership of Joe DuPaix, who returned for his second stint as head coach in 2023, the Knights are no longer the "new kids" in the league. They are a threat.
The 2026 Outlook and Key Dates
While the official week-by-week 2026 calendar often gets finalized later in the spring, we can look at the patterns that define the Knights' season. Typically, the Southern Virginia football schedule kicks off on the first Saturday of September.
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In 2025, they opened with a statement win against the Apprentice School. Expect a similar non-conference rival to start things off in 2026. Because the USA South lost Maryville College recently, the conference slate usually sits at seven games. This gives the Knights room for three non-conference matchups to test their depth before the "real" season begins.
Traditional Matchups to Circle
- The Season Opener: Usually Labor Day weekend or the week after.
- Homecoming: This is the big one in Buena Vista. In 2025, it was mid-October against Methodist. For 2026, look for that mid-October window again. It's when the campus is packed and the "Barn" (Knight Arena) nearby is buzzing.
- The Finale: The season almost always wraps up at home or close to home by mid-November.
Why the Joe DuPaix Era is Different
You've gotta understand who's running the show. Joe DuPaix isn't just some guy with a whistle; he’s a former BYU and Navy assistant who understands the triple option and high-level discipline. He was the USA South Coach of the Year in 2025 for a reason. He took a program that struggled for years and turned them into a team that started 4-0—their best start in school history.
Basically, when you look at the Southern Virginia football schedule, you aren't just looking at dates. You're looking at a team that is finally executing a specific identity. They aren't trying to be Alabama. They are trying to be the most disciplined, toughest team in the USA South.
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What to Expect at Knight Stadium
If you’re planning to attend a game on the 2026 schedule, here is the deal with the venue. Knight Stadium is tucked right into the foothills. It’s beautiful.
But here is the "insider" tip: parking is sometimes more expensive than the actual game. In recent years, the school has experimented with a "per car" fee—sometimes around $20—rather than individual tickets. Honestly, it’s a great deal if you pack a minivan with friends, but it’s a bit of a shock if you’re rolling solo.
- The View: You get a 360-degree look at the mountains.
- The Seating: It’s small (about 1,000 capacity), but there are a few rows of chairbacks in the center. Get there early if you want those; otherwise, it's metal bleachers for you.
- No Video Board: Yeah, you heard that right. If you miss a touchdown pass from Devin Watson to his receivers, you aren't getting a replay. You have to actually watch the game. Kinda refreshing, actually.
Key Players to Watch on the 2026 Roster
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about who is playing. Devin Watson has been the heartbeat of the offense. His ability to move the chains both through the air and with his legs makes the SVU offense unpredictable.
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On the other side of the ball, keep an eye on the defensive schemes. With Mark Murdoch as Associate Head Coach and Chris Ehorn Jr. handling the defense, the Knights have become "stingy." They specialized in turnovers in 2025, and that’s a trend that usually carries over with veteran leadership.
How to Follow the Knights
If you can't make it to Buena Vista, the school usually streams games through their Knight Athletics portal. Just a heads up—Division III streams can be hit or miss depending on the weather in the mountains, so don't expect a 4K ESPN-style production. It’s local, it’s raw, and it’s authentic.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Check the Official Portal: Visit
knightathletics.comin late spring for the precise 2026 kickoff times. - Plan for Homecoming: Book your stay in Buena Vista or nearby Lexington early. These towns are small and hotels fill up fast when SVU and VMI both have home games.
- Download the USA South App: This is the best way to track live stats for away games in North Carolina or Georgia.
- Follow @knight_ftbl on Instagram: They are surprisingly active and usually post uniform reveals and final score graphics faster than the website updates.
The Southern Virginia football schedule represents more than just a list of games. It’s the roadmap for a program that is finally proving it belongs at the top of the conference. Whether you’re a student, an alum, or just a fan of small-college ball, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the Knights.