ATLANTA, Ga. — A new era of Morehouse College football begins Saturday night as the Maroon Tigers open the 2026 season against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in the Natural State Kickoff Classic at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT as Morehouse begins its 126th season of football and the first under head coach Brad Sherrod.
Sherrod takes over a Maroon Tiger program that returns several of its most productive players from a year ago, including record-setting quarterback Miles Scott, wide receiver Eric Stephens, linebacker Sean Johnson and defensive lineman Zach Underwood. The opener will also mark the 1,024th recorded game in Morehouse football history.
A New Era Begins
Sherrod arrives at Morehouse after two seasons at Texas Wesleyan, where he compiled a 17-6 record, led the Rams to the program's first Sooner Athletic Conference championship and earned consecutive NAIA playoff appearances. His coaching résumé spans more than three decades and includes experience at the FBS, FCS and NAIA levels.
The Maroon Tigers enter 2026 looking to build upon significant offensive progress made last season. Morehouse finished 3-7 overall and 3-5 in SIAC play in 2025, but the Maroon Tigers produced their first three-game winning streak since 2021 with consecutive victories over Tuskegee, Central State and Lane.
Morehouse averaged 22.7 points and 337.7 yards of offense per game last season, including 262.6 passing yards per contest.
Scott Returns After Record-Setting Season
Scott enters his senior season after producing one of the most accomplished passing campaigns in Morehouse history.
The Laurel, Maryland native completed 183 of 331 passes for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, setting Morehouse single-season records for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions and attempts. He enters the new season with 4,642 career passing yards, 351 completions, 715 attempts and 31 touchdown passes.
Stephens returns as Scott's top target after catching 37 passes for 599 yards and five touchdowns last season. The Maroon Tigers also return Noah Rhodes and Corey Pendergrass among an experienced group of receivers.
One of the biggest offensive storylines entering Saturday will be the running game. Morehouse surpassed 100 rushing yards only three times in 2025 and must replace leading rusher Nick Woodford. The Maroon Tigers will look to a new group of backs to provide balance alongside an experienced passing attack.
Veteran Core Leads the Defense
Morehouse returns considerable experience on the defensive side of the ball.
Johnson led the Maroon Tigers with 88 tackles last season while adding eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries. Underwood finished with 38 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, while Luca Chuecos also recorded 4.5 sacks. Stephen Rowser added 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks.
Johnson and Underwood headline a group of 10 Maroon Tigers who earned Preseason All-SIAC honors. Underwood and Johnson were named to the first team, while Scott, Stephens, Christopher Allen, Theodis Collins III, Chuecos, Rowser, Joshua Maye and Seve Spruill received second-team recognition.
The defensive matchup against UAPB will provide an immediate test for a Morehouse unit looking to create more negative plays and turnovers under defensive coordinator Terry Lantz.
Renewing the UAPB Series
Saturday will be the fourth all-time meeting between Morehouse and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
UAPB leads the series 2-1, but Morehouse won the most recent meeting, defeating the Golden Lions 34-30 in 2018. The programs first met in 2015, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff winning the first two meetings before the Maroon Tigers broke through eight years ago.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in SWAC play in 2025. The Golden Lions improved from three wins in 2024 and enter Saturday as one of two FCS opponents on Morehouse's 2026 schedule.
The neutral-site matchup gives Morehouse an opportunity to begin the season against an FCS opponent before turning its attention to SIAC competition.
Setting the Tone
For Morehouse, Saturday represents more than a season opener.
It is the first opportunity to establish the identity of the Sherrod era — one built around toughness, accountability and brotherhood — while evaluating an experienced roster against an FCS opponent on a neutral stage.
The formula for improvement is straightforward: protect the football, establish a more consistent running game, reduce the 39 sacks allowed in 2025 and capitalize on the returning production surrounding Scott.
Following Saturday's opener, Morehouse returns to Atlanta for its SIAC opener against rival Clark Atlanta on Sept. 5 at B.T. Harvey Stadium. The Maroon Tigers will then face Central State, Lane and Edward Waters in consecutive conference games.
GAME INFORMATION
Morehouse vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Natural State Kickoff Classic
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
War Memorial Stadium — Little Rock, Ark.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT
Stream: SWAC TV
Stats: Live Stats
Series: Arkansas-Pine Bluff leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: Morehouse 34, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 30 — 2018
2025 Records: Morehouse 3-7; UAPB 4-8
