Football | 8/6/2026 2:31:00 PM

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Bloomsburg football team was selected to finish fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division by the league's head coaches in the annual preseason poll on Thursday.

For the third consecutive year, the Kutztown Golden Bears were selected No. 1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's Eastern Division Football Preseason Poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches. In 2026, Kutztown earned the six first-place votes and are the three-time defending PSAC champions.
 
East Stroudsburg was voted No. 2 in the East, and the No. 3 team in the poll is Shepherd with one first-place vote. West Chester lands and the fourth-place team and Bloomsburg comes in at No. 5 The Huskies will feature a pair of returning offensive standouts in running backs Declan Clancy (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) and Eli Zimmerman (Schnecksville, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) while Brady Thompson (Green Lane, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) is back to lead a staunch Husky defense.

Shippensburg comes in at No. 6 while Millersville rounds out the Eastern Division at No. 7
 
On the West, PSAC runner's up, IUP earned five first place votes to claim the top spot while Slippery Rock picked up three first place votes to take the No. 2 spot. California (Pa.) is ranked third going into the 2026 season while Edinboro is fourth. Clarion comes in at No. 5 and Seton Hill claimed the sixth spot. New to the West is Lock Haven and the Bald Eagles were voted seventh while Gannon took the No. 8 spot.
 
Lock Haven has moved to the West in 2026 to make room for Lackawanna on the East after full membership to NCAA DII from NJCAA has been granted.


 

---

QUICK FACTS
The 2026 Huskies will be led by one of the most experienced defenses in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Bloomsburg returns 10 defensive starters and 21 starters overall from last season, including seven of its top eight tacklers. The veteran unit accounted for 366 tackles, 28.0 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2025 and will serve as the foundation as the Huskies enter their seventh season under head coach Frank Sheptock.
 
The defense features experience and playmakers at every level. Senior linebacker Brady Thompson (Green Lane, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) returns after leading the team with 72 tackles, while Nahzier Booker (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) emerged as one of the PSAC's most disruptive defenders with 61 tackles, a team-best 12.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. In the secondary, Idriz Ahmetovic (New Oxford, Pa./New Oxford) (65 tackles, one interception), Cole Turner (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) (53 tackles, five pass breakups) and Tyler Frey (York, Pa./Central York) (49 tackles, one interception) provide veteran leadership, while defensive linemen Ian Donohue (Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Blue Mountain) (5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) and Garrett Garcia (Catawissa, Pa./Southern Columbia) (36 tackles and 2.0 sacks in four games) strengthen the front seven.
 
The Huskies enter 2026 with significant holes to fill offensively following the graduation of quarterback KJ Riley (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) and All-PSAC standouts Jerry Griffen-Batchler (Norristown, Pa./Germantown Academy) and Gabe Brower (Alexandria, Pa./Juniata Valley). The trio combined for more than 4,600 yards of total offense and 59 touchdowns during the 2025 season, leaving Bloomsburg with the task of replacing one of the most productive offensive groups in recent program history. 
 
Despite those departures, Bloomsburg returns several proven offensive contributors. Running back Declan Clancy (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) rushed for a team-high 633 yards and four touchdowns, while Eli Zimmerman (Schnecksville, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) totaled 929 all-purpose yards, including 598 kickoff return yards while averaging 23.0 yards per return. Senior receiver Justin Wolfe (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area) also returns after recording 42 receptions for 427 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Huskies experienced playmakers to build around as they develop a new-look offense.
 
Bloomsburg also welcomes several familiar faces back to the sidelines in 2026. Former Huskies assistant Deon Henry Sr. returns as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after more than two decades of collegiate coaching experience and a reputation for building aggressive, fundamentally sound defenses. Henry rejoins a veteran defensive unit expected to be one of the strengths of the team. The offensive staff also adds two former standout players, as record-setting quarterback KJ Riley (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) returns as the quarterbacks coach and former slot receiver Peyton Persing joins the staff as the slots coach, bringing recent playing experience and familiarity with the Huskies' offensive system to the next generation of student-athletes. 
 

---

Tickets and Tailgate
Single-game ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students (5 and older) and senior citizens (62 and older). All Bloomsburg students receive free admission to each game with their valid student ID. Children under the age of five are also admitted free of charge. Season-ticket packages are also available: $50 for adults and $25 for students and senior citizens. To purchase advanced single-game tickets or season-ticket packages, please visit this link to purchase tickets. Tickets will also be sold at the gate before each home game during the regular season.
 
The Bloomsburg athletic department is now partnering with HUDL ticketing and fans can use both cash or credit card to purchase tickets beginning this season.
 
Meanwhile, the 2026 Husky Tailgate Zone passes are also on sale, and fans can click here to reserve their spot. A full-season pass, including a pair of season tickets, costs $200, with each game priced at $50. A full-season pass is $150 for students, with every contest marked at $30.
 
An additional service fee will be added for all credit card purchases through HUDL.
 
For additional information on tickets or the Husky Tailgate Zone, please contact Sarah Zbierski at 570-389-3907 or e-mail at szbierski@bloomu.edu. Tailgate Zone brochures can be returned by mail and checks should be made out to "CGA – HUSKY FUND". Checks addressed otherwise cannot be accepted.
 
Brochures and checks can be mailed to:
Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg
Nelson Field House
400 E 2^nd Street
Bloomsburg PA 17815
 
Season Opener and Early Slate 
The Huskies open the 2026 season on Thursday, September 3, traveling to Fairmont State for a 6 p.m. kickoff under the lights.
 
Bloomsburg returns home for its opener on Saturday, September 12, hosting Edinboro at 2:00 p.m. The game will include a pregame recognition honoring PSAC teams.
 
The Huskies head back on the road on September 19 for a non-conference matchup at Gannon.
 
Start of PSAC East Play 
Conference play begins on Saturday, September 26, as Bloomsburg hosts Shippensburg at 2:00 p.m.
 
The Huskies travel to new PSAC opponent Lackawanna on October 3 before returning to Redman Stadium on October 10 for a 6:00 p.m. matchup against East Stroudsburg. The contest will feature both the Husky Legacy Club event and the program's annual Think Pink game.
 
Midseason Stretch 
Bloomsburg continues PSAC East play on the road at Shepherd on October 17 before returning home the following week.
 
Homecoming and Late-Season Push 
The Huskies will host Millersville on Saturday, October 24, at 2:00 p.m. as part of Homecoming, Family & Supporters Weekend. The game will also serve as the annual Hall of Fame game, with inductions recognized during halftime.
 
Registration is now open for the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and tickets can be purchased by clicking on this link. Former Husky greats Steph Pettit '89 and Eric Miller are among the seven inductees in this year's class.
 
Bloomsburg remains at home on October 31, hosting West Chester at 2:00 p.m. The game will serve as both Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.
 
Closing Stretch 
The Huskies wrap up the road portion of the schedule with trips to Kutztown on November 7 and California (Pa.) on November 14, with the regular season finale set for a 12 p.m. kickoff. The November 14 game serves as the PSAC Championship Game as well and the opponent is subject to change.
 

---

Schedule Notes

• Live Coverage: All games will be streamed on the PSAC Digital Network via BUSN and BlueFrame. Fans can also catch live broadcasts on 106.5 Bigfoot Country with Jim Doyle and Andy Ulicny on the call.
• Own Your Career – Now is your chance to Own Your Career and purchase digital copies of past seasons of Bloomsburg football. Currently, seasons from 1965-2004 are available for purchase with more seasons added in the future!