LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Head coach Harold Davis today announced Bellarmine sprint football's 2026 schedule.
 
The Midwest Sprint Football League will consist of five teams in its fifth season following the departure of defending champion Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to the NAIA. In 2026, each team will play the other four teams twice, once each at home and on the road, for a total of eight games. All games are currently scheduled for Saturdays. Each team will also be awarded a pair of bye weeks in the 10-week regular season, which begins on Saturday, September 12. The MSFL Championship will be played on November 21 between the top two teams in the league standings and be hosted by the top seed.
 
Before the MSFL campaign begins, Bellarmine will, for the second straight year, play Army in an exhibition game. After hosting the Knights last fall, Army will this time make a visit to Louisville on September 5. The Black Knights started last year 7-0 before falling to rival Navy in a 20-17 overtime thriller in their season finale, leaving them just short of their 39th Collegiate Sprint Football League title.
 
A week later, Bellarmine opens their regular season by hosting Oakland City (0-7 in 2025) on September 12. The Knights faced the Mighty Oaks twice in 2025, winning the two games by a combined score of 88-7. OCU was the lone winless team in the MSFL in 2025 and has yet to beat Bellarmine in four tries.
 
On September 19, Bellarmine heads east on I-64 to Midway (5-3 in 2025) for their first opportunity to avenge a 50-0 loss suffered at the hands of the Eagles in last year's Battle of the Bourbon Barrel. The Knights had won four straight to begin the rivalry series. Midway enjoyed their best season to date last year and made the playoffs for the second straight season.
 
The Knights then visit former GLVC hoops rival Quincy (1-6 in 2025) on September 26. Bellarmine was victorious in a low-scoring affair at QU Stadium last year, winning 9-7, and is 3-2 all-time against the Hawks.
 
After Bellarmine enjoys a bye week, the Knights welcome Calumet (6-2 in 2025) to Louisville on October 10. The Crimson Wave have proved to be the Knights' toughest opponent in the MSFL, winning six of seven matchups. After winning back-to-back league championships in in 2023 and 2024, Calumet earned runner-up status to SMWC in 2025.
 
During the back half of the schedule, Bellarmine visits OCU (October 17), hosts Quincy (October 24), hosts Midway (October 31) and visits Calumet (November 14). The Knights' second bye week comes ahead of the game at Calumet.
 
Last season, the Knights went 3-4 in the regular season before falling to SMWC in the MSFL semifinals.
 
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow the Knights on X, Instagram and Facebook.