WALESKA, Ga. | NSBNsports.com | August 14, 2026 — Reinhardt enters the 2026 football season with high expectations as the Eagles seek another Appalachian Athletic Conference championship and a deeper run in the NAIA Football Championship Series.
The Eagles finished 7-4 overall and a perfect 6-0 in conference play last season. Reinhardt closed the regular season with six consecutive victories to secure the AAC championship and an automatic berth in the national playoffs.
Reinhardt’s season ended with a narrow 24-22 loss at Southeastern in the opening round of the NAIA Football Championship Series. The Eagles scored 12 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, but their comeback fell just short.
The offense averaged 39.6 points and 451.2 yards per game last season, including nearly 296 rushing yards per contest. Reinhardt scored at least 56 points in each of its final three regular-season games, defeating Rio Grande 56-0, Point 69-10 and Pikeville 62-21.
That success continued one of the strongest runs by any young program in college football. Reinhardt began playing football in 2013 and has already won or shared 11 conference or division championships. The Eagles have captured all four AAC titles awarded since the conference began sponsoring football in 2022.
Reinhardt has also made 10 appearances in the NAIA postseason. The program’s deepest run came in 2017, when the Eagles finished 12-1 and advanced to the NAIA national championship game.
The 2026 schedule will test Reinhardt immediately. The Eagles open Aug. 27 at Lindsey Wilson before traveling to NCAA Division II opponent Newberry College. Reinhardt’s home opener Sept. 12 brings a rematch with Southeastern, the team that ended its 2025 season.
The conference schedule begins Oct. 3 at Union Commonwealth. Reinhardt will host Kentucky Christian, Rio Grande and Point before concluding the regular season Nov. 14 at Pikeville.
All five Reinhardt home games will be broadcast live by the Southeast Sports Network. Gabriel Schray and Lorenzo Robinson will split broadcast duties throughout the home schedule. Select road matchups will also be carried live and made available through SESN.
Fans can watch Reinhardt football at SESNsports.com or visit SESNsports.com/HowToWatch for additional viewing options and broadcast information.
2026 Reinhardt football schedule
Aug. 27: at Lindsey Wilson, 6 p.m.
Sept. 5: at Newberry College, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: vs. Southeastern, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19: at Florida Memorial, 1 p.m.
Sept. 26: vs. Faulkner, 6 p.m.
Oct. 3: at Union Commonwealth, 6 p.m.
Oct. 10: vs. Kentucky Christian, noon
Oct. 17: at Bluefield, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31: vs. Rio Grande, 1 p.m. — Homecoming
Nov. 7: vs. Point, 1 p.m. — Senior Day
Nov. 14: at Pikeville, 1 p.m.
All dates and times are Eastern and subject to change. With another undefeated conference season behind them, an established championship culture and an early schedule filled with postseason-caliber opponents, the Eagles enter 2026 with high hopes of returning to the national stage.
This preview includes schedule, statistical and historical information released by Reinhardt University and the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
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