JACKSONVILLE—Jax State football has agreed to a home-and-home game series with North Dakota State, announced by both sides this afternoon.
 
The Gamecocks will open the 2026 season at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome on August 29^th for a Week 0 game against the Bison. North Dakota State will be playing their first season as an FBS and Mountain West member after going 12-1 in 2025 and making their 16^th consecutive postseason appearance.
 
This will be the fourth meeting all-time between the teams which dates back to the 1977 Grantland Rice Bowl and includes the 2015 FCS Championship as the most recent meeting.
 
On September 22^nd, 2029, the Bison will make the return trip to AmFirst Stadium; the teams played in Jacksonville in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals with the Gamecocks winning 21-17 en route to a national championship game appearance.
 
This replaces the series against San Jose State which was canceled.
 
Further information regarding tickets will be available soon.