The 2026 UT Permian Basin Falcons football team represents the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) in the 2026 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC). The team plays all of its home games at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland, Texas, marking the first time since the 2020 season that Ratliff Stadium in neighboring Odessa will not host a home game. The Falcons are led by first-year head coach Chris Softley.
Offseason Coaching changes On December 23, 2025, Kris McCullough announced that he would be stepping down as the Falcons' head coach to take the same position at Gardner–Webb. On December 31, Lubbock Christian School head coach Chris Softley was hired as the Falcons' new head coach. On January 9, Softley named TCU assistant linebackers coach Josh Bookbinder as the Falcons' new defensive coordinator. VMI offensive line coach / run game coordinator Elliott Wratten was named the team's new offensive coordinator.
LSC media poll The Lone Star Conference released its preseason prediction poll on July 23, 2026. The Falcons were predicted to finish 5th, but also received 2 first-place votes.
Schedule
Rankings
Personnel
Game summaries At UT Rio Grande Valley (FCS)
Statistics UTPBRGV First downs 9 29 Total yards 165 675 Rushing yards 13 271 Passing yards 152 404 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 21:17 38:43 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Nate TenBarge 14/34, 151 yards, 2 INT Rushing Cheno Navarrette 3 rushes, 11 yards Receiving Traylen Suel 5 receptions, 63 yardsUT Rio Grande Valley Passing Garret Rangel 12/15, 211 yards, TD Rushing Brennan Carroll 9 rushes, 84 yards, TD Receiving Kyran Lee 6 receptions, 141 yards, TD
Western New Mexico
Statistics WNMUTPB First downs 11 25 Total yards 176 554 Rushing yards 55 330 Passing yards 121 224 Turnovers 5 2 Time of possession 30:22 29:38 Team Category Player StatisticsWestern New Mexico Passing Jase Ashley 11/21, 99 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Joshua Gaines 18 rushes, 23 yards Receiving Jaylen Rushing 2 receptions, 32 yardsUT Permian Basin Passing Nate TenBarge 7/16, 143 yards, 3 TD Rushing Cheno Navarrette 6 rushes, 68 yards, TD Receiving J. T. Seagraves 3 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TD
At Sul Ross
Statistics UTPBSRS First downs 26 23 Total yards 395 303 Rushing yards 144 143 Passing yards 251 160 Turnovers 1 4 Time of possession 26:34 33:26 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Nate TenBarge 14/27, 215 yards, 3 TD Rushing Camden Tyler 12 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TD Receiving Traylen Suel 2 receptions, 56 yards, TDSul Ross Passing Will Howell 13/32, 135 yards, 3 INT Rushing Will Howell 14 rushes, 65 yards Receiving Ronald Bell 4 receptions, 81 yards
At Eastern New Mexico
Statistics UTPBENM First downs 32 19 Total yards 583 294 Rushing yards 281 56 Passing yards 302 238 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 41:38 18:22 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Nate TenBarge 18/28, 245 yards, 4 TD, INT Rushing Cheno Navarrette 7 rushes, 82 yards Receiving Tarylen Suel 5 receptions, 95 yards, 2 TDEastern New Mexico Passing Jake South 17/27, 229 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Jose Trevino 10 rushes, 36 yards Receiving Trei Kibbles 3 receptions, 61 yards, TD
At No. 21т Northeastern State
Statistics UTPBNESU First downs 19 28 Total yards 338 460 Rushing yards 114 83 Passing yards 224 377 Turnovers 1 5 Time of possession 28:19 31:41 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Nate TenBarge 17/25, 224 yards, TD, INT Rushing Nate TenBarge 12 rushes, 52 yards, TD Receiving Tre Brown 2 receptions, 60 yardsNortheastern State Passing Donnie Smith 31/47, 377 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT Rushing Mikail Trotter 17 rushes, 52 yards, TD Receiving Deuce Roberson 14 receptions, 168 yards, 2 TD
At West Texas A&M
Statistics UTPBWTAM First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Rushing Receiving West Texas A&M Passing Rushing Receiving
Western Oregon
Statistics WOUUTPB First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Oregon Passing Rushing Receiving UT Permian Basin Passing Rushing Receiving
At Central Washington
Statistics UTPBCWU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Rushing Receiving Central Washington Passing Rushing Receiving
Angelo State
Statistics ANGUTPB First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsAngelo State Passing Rushing Receiving UT Permian Basin Passing Rushing Receiving
At Midwestern State
Statistics UTPBMWSU First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Rushing Receiving Midwestern State Passing Rushing Receiving
Texas A&M–Kingsville
Statistics TAMKUTPB First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsTexas A&M–Kingsville Passing Rushing Receiving UT Permian Basin Passing Rushing Receiving
References