Vanderbilt adds in-state opponent to 2029 schedule, per report
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Vanderbilt will welcome an FCS opponent from within the state to its 2029 schedule.
According to FBSchedules.com, UT Martin will pay a visit to the Commodores on September 1, 2029. Per FBSchedules, UT Martin will be paid $425,000 for the contest, the first between the two programs.
The Skyhawks, led by longtime head coach Jason Simpson, went 6-6 in 2025, including a 6-2 mark in the OVC-Big South Football Association. That was after starting the season 0-4, a stretch that included a loss to Oklahoma State.
Along with UT Martin, Vanderbilt will also play Purdue in 2029, just the teams’ fourth all-time meeting.
After a historic 2025 season, Vandy enters 2026 with a new quarterback, with Jared Curtis set to be the presumptive QB1 after the departure of former star Diego Pavia. The Commodores will have a lot to live up to if they’re to match what they did a season ago. They finished 10-3, their most wins in program history. Vandy also ended the year ranked No. 15, its highest-ever postseason ranking since finishing No. 12 in the AP poll in 1948.
The Commodores open their 2026 season against Austin Peay on Sept. 5, followed by FBS newcomer Delaware on Sept. 12. Their SEC opener is set for Sept. 26 at Auburn.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
