WAUKESHA, Wis. - Carroll University football will navigate a demanding 2026 schedule that features a mix of non-conference tests and a full slate of College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play, beginning with a season-opening road trip and culminating in a late-season home showdown against one of the league's perennial contenders.
The Pioneers open the year on September 5 with a non-conference matchup at St. Norbert. Carroll did not face the Green Knights during the 2025 season, but St. Norbert enters the opener coming off a 5-5 overall campaign and a 5-3 mark in conference play. The matchup serves as an early measuring stick against a program that has consistently challenged opponents both in and out of league competition.
Carroll returns home for its home opener on September 12 to host UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds finished 3-7 overall last season and went winless in WIAC play, but they handed Carroll a 29-7 loss in the 2025 season opener in Eau Claire. The Pioneers will look to flip the script at Schneider Stadium against a familiar non-conference foe.
CCIW play begins on September 19 as Carroll travels to Elmhurst. The Bluejays endured a difficult 2025 season, finishing 1-9 overall and 0-9 in conference play. Carroll took care of Elmhurst a year ago with a 47-7 victory at Schneider Stadium, and while the matchup shifts to the road this season, the Pioneers will look to build momentum as conference play gets underway.
The Pioneers return home on September 26 for the Battle for the Old Musket against Carthage. The Firebirds went 4-6 overall and 3-6 in CCIW action last season, edging Carroll 7-3 in a tightly contested rivalry matchup. One of the conference's most storied series renews once again with postseason implications often hanging in the balance.
October begins with a road contest at Millikin on October 3. The Big Blue finished 3-7 overall and 2-7 in conference play in 2025, while Carroll earned a 28-17 victory in last season's meeting. The matchup marks another important road test as the Pioneers move deeper into the heart of their conference schedule.
Carroll then hosts Illinois Wesleyan on October 10. The Titans were among the stronger teams in the CCIW last season, finishing 4-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play. The Pioneers picked up an impressive 34-14 road victory over Illinois Wesleyan a year ago and will look to replicate that success on their home field.
The Pioneers hit the road again on October 17 to face Wheaton. The Thunder finished 11-3 overall and 8-1 in conference play in 2025, advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals, and handed Carroll a 61-13 loss last season. The matchup presents one of the stiffest challenges on the schedule against a perennial national contender.
Homecoming weekend follows on October 24 as Carroll welcomes North Central. The Cardinals went 14-1 overall and a perfect 9-0 in conference play last season, advancing all the way to the NCAA Division III national championship game. North Central earned a 64-7 win at Carroll in 2025, setting the stage for a marquee home matchup against the defending conference champions.
The final road game of the regular season comes October 31 at North Park. The Vikings finished 3-7 overall and 2-7 in conference play last season, while Carroll earned a 24-10 victory in the teams' meeting at Schneider Stadium. The late-season road contest will be critical as the Pioneers look to close conference play on a strong note.
The regular season concludes on November 14 with a home matchup against Augustana. The Vikings finished 7-3 overall and 6-3 in CCIW play in 2025 and defeated Carroll 31-24 in last season's meeting in Rock Island. The finale provides a fitting cap to a schedule shaped by one of Division III football's deepest and most competitive conferences.
With a balanced mix of returning opponents, road challenges, and high-profile home matchups, Carroll's 2026 schedule sets the stage for a season defined by growth, resilience, and opportunity as the Pioneers look to make their mark in the rugged CCIW race.
