SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University football team was voted sixth in the 2026 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Preseason Coaches' Poll released Thursday afternoon by the conference office.
 
The preseason coaches' poll is selected by the league's coaches and was announced through the league's social media channels. The conference does not allow coaches to vote for their own team in the preseason polls.
 
Kutztown received the maximum amount of first-place votes from Eastern Division coaches and sits atop the 2026 preseason poll. East Stroudsburg ranks second, while Shepherd sits third and received the other first-place vote.
 
West Chester, Bloomsburg, SU and Millersville round out the Eastern Division preseason coaches' poll.
 
Shippensburg, under the direction of first-year head coach Drew Gallardy '10, enters the 2026 campaign with a current roster that features 54 returning players from the spring, 47 incoming first-year student-athletes, and three transfers.
 
Among the returners is redshirt-junior Nate Myers. The 2025 All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team linebacker was named the 2026 team captain at the conclusion of the spring season.
 
Players arrived for preseason camp two days ago and completed their first official practice yesterday morning.
 
The Raiders open the 2026 season Saturday, August 28 vs. Lock Haven. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Seth Grove Stadium.
 
Note: Every PSAC Eastern Division school will face Lackawanna this season as a part of its league schedule. The Falcons received an invitation to join the PSAC last year, contingent upon successfully completing the process of becoming an NCAA Division II member school. More information on this process is available HERE.
 
2026 PSAC Preseason Football Polls
(First-place votes are indicated in parentheses; teams are not allowed to vote for themselves)
 
EAST
1. Kutztown (6)
2. East Stroudsburg 
3. Shepherd (1)
4. West Chester
5. Bloomsburg
6. Shippensburg
7. Millersville
 
WEST
1. IUP (5)
2. Slippery Rock (3)
3. California
4. Edinboro
5. Clarion
6. Seton Hill
7. Lock Haven
8. Gannon