Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football To Open 2027 Season At Alabama
12/2/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
Tuscaloosa connection highlights first-ever trip to historic Bryant Denny Stadium
Marshall Football Tickets | Join the Big Green
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football will open its 2027 season at Bryant Denny Stadium against the University of Alabama, Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald J. Harrison announced on Tuesday.
The Sept. 4, 2027 matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the Herd and the SEC powerhouse Crimson Tide.
"We are excited for the opportunity to play the University of Alabama at Bryant Denny Stadium on Nick Saban Field," Harrison said. "Both Alabama and Marshall have proud traditions and rich histories, and it's always special for our student-athletes and fans to experience a venue that represents the best of college football. Our program embraces these kinds of challenges, and I know Herd Nation will be there in full force to support our team."
In terms of prestige, it gets no better than Alabama, who has 18 national championships in football to the program's credit – most recently in 2020 under head coach Nick Saban, who is a native of the state of West Virginia.
The 2027 matchup also continues a history of Marshall taking on some of the nation's top programs. In 2024, Marshall traveled to Ohio State, who ended up winning the national championship, and in 2025, the Herd made the trip to fellow SEC titan Georgia to open the season.
In addition to the storied past of the two programs, there is a tie with Marshall to the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama – the home of the Crimson Tide - as well.
The "Marshall Four" refers to the first Black athletes from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to attend Marshall University on athletic scholarships to play football. Tragically, those four players – Joe Hood, Larry Sanders, Robert VanHorn and Freddy Wilson – were lost in the 1970 Marshall plane crash.
On Nov. 5, statues were unveiled for the "Marshall Four" outside of the Benjamin Barnes YMCA facility in West Tuscaloosa, forever remembering and immortalizing the Druid High School graduates.
With the announcement of the 2027 matchup against Alabama, the 2027 non-conference schedule is currently complete.
In addition to that Sept. 4 matchup against the Crimson Tide, Marshall also plays at Ohio on Sept. 11 before returning home for games against Boise State (Sept. 18) and Bowling Green (Sept. 25).
For all the latest information about Marshall Athletics, follow @HerdFB on X and @Herd_FB on Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
