The list of Kent State's rivals in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) just got more interesting—and a whole lot wider.
Sacramento State, the green-and-gold clad Hornets from California's capital city, will join the MAC as a football-only member beginning in the 2026 season, conference presidents announced this week.
For Kent State football fans wondering what this means for the Golden Flashes? It's all upside.
"This is an exciting opportunity for our conference and our program," said Kent State Vice President and Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond. "The Hornets have shown serious commitment to competing at the FBS level, and we're ready to welcome them to the MAC."
No Sting in the Travel Budget
Sacramento is 2,180 miles from Kent, a long distance from the MAC's traditional Midwest footprint.
However, the Golden Flashes won't be breaking the bank making that cross-country trek. Under the terms of the Hornets' MAC membership, Sacramento State will cover the travel of each MAC opponent's trip to the West Coast. Thanks to the conference's scheduling rotation, Kent State will visit California's capital only about every two years, offering plenty of time to plan.
"When you look at the scheduling rotation, we're talking about one trip to Sacramento every few years, which opens some exciting doors for our program," said Todd Diacon, Kent State President.
The MAC's expansion also presents a unique opportunity for the Golden Flashes, who are coming off an improved 5-7 season (4-4 in the MAC) that included a big win against arch-rival Akron. California is one of the nation's premier football recruiting territories, and Sacramento sits at the heart of Northern California's talent-rich region.
Each trip to California allows Kent State a chance to showcase the program in front of West Coast recruits, their families, and high school coaches, which is the kind of exposure that's hard to put a price tag on.
"Playing in California gives us recruiting visibility in a region we don't normally get to access," Richmond said. "That's a real advantage for building our program."
Focus Remains on Kent State's Success
For Kent State, the addition of Sacramento State changes nothing about the program's mission: develop players, compete for championships, and represent the university with excellence.
"Whether we're playing in Kent, at Toledo, or flying to Sacramento, our standards don't change," Richmond said. "We're focused on what we can control, which is getting better every day and building something special here."
Going forward, the Golden Flashes will continue operating within their established framework while benefiting from the MAC's expanded geographic reach and the opportunities that come with having a presence in the nation's 20th-largest media market.
"This is about conference strength and forward thinking," Diacon added. "The MAC is positioning itself strategically for the future of college football, and Kent State is well-positioned to benefit from that vision while staying focused on our competitive priorities."
A New Chapter for the Conference
Sacramento State arrives with legitimate football credentials. The Hornets finished their final FCS season at 7-5 and have recent playoff experience under their wings.
The Hornets' mascot, Herky the Hornet, has been rallying Sacramento State fans since 1947 with their battle cry, "Stingers Up!" Now they'll be bringing that energy to the MAC.
Sacramento State keeps the MAC at 13 football programs, replacing Northern Illinois, which departed for the Mountain West. The Hornets join North Dakota State as FCS programs making the jump to FBS this year—a trend that shows ambitious programs are willing to invest heavily for a seat at college football's highest level. The Hornets won't be eligible for bowl games or the College Football Playoff until 2028 as they complete their two-year FBS transition period. Their non-football sports will compete in the Big West Conference starting in the 2026-27 academic year.