DUBUQUE, Iowa - The American Rivers Conference released the 2026 A-R-C football preseason coaches' poll on Friday. The University of Dubuque football team is projected to finish fourth in the A-R-C this season.

University of Dubuque head football coach Ryan Mairui leads the Spartans in his third season at the helm. The Spartans went 4-6 overall, 4-4 in conference play. The Spartans return eight offensive starters and six defensive starters to the lineup this fall. Etwood Williams, Joey Rhomberg, Alex Sogavo, and Brady Buchmann return to the field this year after previously earning all-conference honors. "Our team is excited to get back on the field this fall. We return an experienced core and have a talented group of newcomers ready to compete. The American Rivers Conference is one of the best in the country, and we look forward to embracing the challenge each week brings" mentioned Maiuri said about the upcoming season.

The Spartans will open the 2026 season at home on September 5 against (RV) UW-Stout at 6:00 p.m. from Chalmers Field. They will then travel to No. 6 UW-Platteville the following Saturday (Sept.12) to play the Pioneers at 1:00 p.m. Week three of the season will be the Spartans' bye week before playing their final non-conference game on September 26 at Chalmers Field against McMurry University with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

The Spartans will open conference play at (RV) Central College on October 3, before hosting homecoming weekend against Nebraska Wesleyan University at 2:00 p.m. The Spartans travel to Simpson College on October 17 before hosting A-R-C preseason favorite and No. 9 nationally ranked Wartburg College. They will then have consecutive road games at Buena Vista University (Oct. 31) and No. 22 Coe College (Nov. 7), before closing out the season at Chalmers Field for the Key City Clash against Loras College. The Spartans will be seeking their 15th straight win against their cross-town rival this season and retaining the key. The Loras game will also be the Hall of Fame game this year when the 2026 inductees are elected into the Hall of Fame.

Check out all the latest news, information, and updates from football via the University of Dubuque Athletics website at https://udspartans.com/sports/football.

A-R-C Football Preseason Poll
1. Wartburg College - 49 (7)
2. Coe College - 42
3. Central College - 38
4. University of Dubuque - 29
5. Simpson College - 27
6. Loras College - 20
7. Nebraska Wesleyan University - 10
8.  Buena Vista University - 9