Upcoming Event: Football versus UTEP on September 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. CT
7 p.m. CT
Football
vs UTEP
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Football Home Opener vs. UTEP Moved to Night of Friday, Sept. 4
June 29, 2026 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma Vice President and Director of Athletics Roger Denny and OU Head Football Coach Brent Venables announced Monday that OU's 2026 season-opening football game against UTEP in Norman has been moved to Friday, Sept. 4, one day earlier than originally scheduled. Kickoff for the contest, which will be streamed on SEC Network+, is set for 7 p.m. CT.
"Moving our home opener against UTEP to Friday night presents a unique opportunity to showcase Oklahoma Football," said Denny. "The game will be streamed digitally, which allows us to be more intentional about selecting a date and kickoff time. Historically, early-season games in Oklahoma can present significant heat challenges, and a Friday night kickoff provides a more comfortable environment for our student-athletes, fans and game-day staff. It also allows our fans to enjoy an electric atmosphere in Norman while making the most of the remainder of Labor Day weekend. We're excited to welcome Sooner Nation back to Owen Field for a rare Friday night game under the lights."
The Sooners, whose only other Friday night regular season home game came two years ago against Temple (OU won 51-3), boast a 61-21-2 (.738) record in Friday games (includes a 2-6 record in bowl/CFP games) but have only played six Friday evening regular season contests — all victories — with five on the road.
"Friday night games are rare for us, especially at home," said Venables, "so the opportunity to open our season under the lights on a Friday evening on Owen Field is exciting for our team. I expect the environment to be absolutely incredible, and I know our players will feed off that electricity."
Since World War II, Oklahoma has played 17 regular season Friday games and is 11-6 in those outings. Ten of those 17 games, including the Sooners' only six losses, were against Nebraska. OU beat NU on Fridays in 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1990, and lost to the Huskers in 1982 and every year from 1991-95. The Sooners' other Friday wins since 1945 were at Detroit in 1947 (Bud Wilkinson's first game as OU head coach), at Miami (Fla.) in 1975, at Tulsa in 2002 and 2007, at West Virginia in 2018, vs. TCU in the 2023 regular season finale and against Temple in the 2024 opener.
Oklahoma, which is starting its fifth season under Venables, has won 20 straight home openers.
"Moving our home opener against UTEP to Friday night presents a unique opportunity to showcase Oklahoma Football," said Denny. "The game will be streamed digitally, which allows us to be more intentional about selecting a date and kickoff time. Historically, early-season games in Oklahoma can present significant heat challenges, and a Friday night kickoff provides a more comfortable environment for our student-athletes, fans and game-day staff. It also allows our fans to enjoy an electric atmosphere in Norman while making the most of the remainder of Labor Day weekend. We're excited to welcome Sooner Nation back to Owen Field for a rare Friday night game under the lights."
The Sooners, whose only other Friday night regular season home game came two years ago against Temple (OU won 51-3), boast a 61-21-2 (.738) record in Friday games (includes a 2-6 record in bowl/CFP games) but have only played six Friday evening regular season contests — all victories — with five on the road.
"Friday night games are rare for us, especially at home," said Venables, "so the opportunity to open our season under the lights on a Friday evening on Owen Field is exciting for our team. I expect the environment to be absolutely incredible, and I know our players will feed off that electricity."
Since World War II, Oklahoma has played 17 regular season Friday games and is 11-6 in those outings. Ten of those 17 games, including the Sooners' only six losses, were against Nebraska. OU beat NU on Fridays in 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1990, and lost to the Huskers in 1982 and every year from 1991-95. The Sooners' other Friday wins since 1945 were at Detroit in 1947 (Bud Wilkinson's first game as OU head coach), at Miami (Fla.) in 1975, at Tulsa in 2002 and 2007, at West Virginia in 2018, vs. TCU in the 2023 regular season finale and against Temple in the 2024 opener.
Oklahoma, which is starting its fifth season under Venables, has won 20 straight home openers.
Thursday, June 25
Monday, June 22
Monday, May 18
Thursday, April 30
