The 2026 Chicago State Cougars football team represents Chicago State University as an independent during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Cougars are led by first-year head coach Bobby Rome II and play their home games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The 2026 season is the inaugural season for the Chicago State football program.
Schedule
Game summaries
Roosevelt (DII)
Statistics RSVTCHST First downs 21 21 Plays–yards 62–390 71–387 Rushes–yards 30–154 31–123 Passing yards 236 264 Passing: comp–att–int 20–32–0 29–40–2 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 25:42 34:18 Team Category Player Statistics Roosevelt Passing Tony Chahino 20/32, 236 yards, 3 TD Rushing Jaden Bossie 22 carries, 141 yards, TD Receiving Jaden Bossie 5 receptions, 91 yards, TD Chicago State Passing Ashton Pannell 29/40, 264 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing Tre' Hartwell 11 carries, 52 yards Receiving Develle Barksdale 6 receptions, 70 yards
at UT Martin
Statistics CHSTUTM First downs 9 25 Plays–yards 60–191 64–477 Rushes–yards 27–38 38–216 Passing yards 153 261 Passing: comp–att–int 20–33–0 17–26–1 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 30:41 29:19 Team Category Player Statistics Chicago State Passing Ashton Pannell 20/33, 153 yards, TD RushingTre' Hartwell6 carries, 19 yards Receiving Kymari Gray 4 receptions, 61 yards UT Martin Passing Tate Surber 16/23, 222 yards, INT Rushing Tommy Ansley 16 carries, 106 yards, 3 TD Receiving Deuce Oliver 3 receptions, 73 yards
Kentucky Christian (NAIA)
Statistics KCHRCHST First downs 16 23 Plays–yards 65–229 67–580 Rushes–yards 29–62 31–174 Passing yards 167 406 Passing: comp–att–int 18–36–3 31–36–0 Turnovers 4 0 Time of possession 29:28 30:32 Team Category Player Statistics Kentucky Christian Passing Xavier Phillips 16/32, 148 yards, TD, 3 INT Rushing Jamareon Dale 9 carries, 84 yards Receiving 3 receptions, 42 yards Chicago State Passing Ashton Pannell 22/25, 308 yards, 3 TD Rushing Tre' Hartwell 11 carries, 70 yards, TD Receiving Kymari Gray 7 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TD
at Butler
Statistics CHSTBUT First downs 13 15 Plays–yards 58–301 63–366 Rushes–yards 32–121 40–257 Passing yards 180 109 Passing: comp–att–int 16–26–0 12–23–0 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 27:32 32:28 Team Category Player Statistics Chicago State Passing Ashton Pannell 16/26, 180 yards, 2 TD Rushing Chris Edmonds 9 carries, 88 yards, TD Receiving Chris Edmonds 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD Butler Passing Gabe Passini 12/23, 109 yards, 3 TD Rushing Desmin Jackson 15 carries, 164 yards, TD Receiving Nick Munson 3 receptions, 42 yards, TD
Norfolk State
Statistics NORFCHST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Norfolk State Passing Rushing Receiving Chicago State Passing Rushing Receiving
at No. 4 Tarleton State
Statistics CHSTTAR First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Chicago State Passing Rushing Receiving Tarleton State Passing Rushing Receiving
at North Carolina A&T
Statistics CHSTNCAT First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Chicago State Passing Rushing Receiving North Carolina A&T Passing Rushing Receiving
at Lindenwood
Statistics CHSTLIN First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Chicago State Passing Rushing Receiving Lindenwood Passing Rushing Receiving
Fort Lauderdale (NCCAA)
Statistics FTLDCHST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Fort Lauderdale Passing Rushing Receiving Chicago State Passing Rushing Receiving
VUL (NCCAA)
Statistics VULCHST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics VUL Passing Rushing Receiving Chicago State Passing Rushing Receiving
at Southern Utah
Statistics CHSTSUU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Chicago State Passing Rushing Receiving Southern Utah Passing Rushing Receiving
References