NAIA-CFB Game Preview: Kentucky Christian Knights (0-0) vs. Brevard Tornados (0-0)

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Venue & Game Info

Date & Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025 – Kickoff 1:00 PM ET

Venue: Ives‑Lemel Family Field, 1 Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712

Broadcast/Stats: Live stream & live stats via Brevard College Athletics

Weather Forecast (Brevard, NC – Game Day)

Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm

Temperature at Kickoff: ~79°F (26°C)

Humidity: ~58%

Wind: Light 4–6 mph from the southwest

Precipitation:

Impact: Ideal football weather; minimal wind effect on passing/kicking

Injury Report

(No official Week 1 injury reports released; both teams expected near full strength. Depth chart updates will be available closer to kickoff.)

Key Player Matchups

Brevard Offense vs. KCU Defense

QB Dalton Cole: Veteran signal‑caller with efficient short‑to‑intermediate passing; threw for 2 TDs in last year’s meeting.

RB Xavier Brown: Physical runner who posted 100+ yards vs. KCU in 2024; key to controlling tempo.

WR Tyler Gregory: Deep threat; will test KCU’s secondary that allowed multiple 30+ yard completions last season.

OL: Must maintain pocket integrity against KCU’s edge rushers.

KCU Offense vs. Brevard Defense

QB Caleb Matthews: Dual‑threat capability; needs to limit turnovers after 2 INTs in 2024 matchup.

RB Isaiah Wright: Shifty back with breakaway speed; could exploit over‑pursuit.

WR Malik Johnson: Reliable possession target; red‑zone weapon.

OL: Must improve pass protection after allowing 4 sacks last year vs. Brevard.

Recent Team Form

Brevard Tornados (2024 Recap)

Record: 6‑4 overall, 5‑2 USA South

Strength: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense (+ turnover margin)

Weakness: Occasional lapses in run defense vs. power backs

Finished 2024 with a 41‑25 road win over KCU

Kentucky Christian Knights (2024 Recap)

Record: 2‑9 overall (AAC)

Strength: Athletic skill positions; capable of explosive plays

Weakness: Defensive consistency; allowed 30+ points in 8 games

Closed 2024 with loss to Brevard; offense scored 18 of 25 points in 4th quarter after game was out of reach

Series History

All‑Time: Brevard leads 1‑0

Last Meeting: Nov. 16, 2024 — Brevard 41, KCU 25 in Grayson, KY

Trend: Brevard scored 34 unanswered points between 2nd and 4th quarters in 2024 matchup

Betting Trends

Brevard: 4‑1 ATS in last 5 home openers

KCU: 1‑6 ATS in last 7 road games vs. NCAA D‑III opponents

Under has hit in 3 of Brevard’s last 4 non‑conference games

Brevard has scored 30+ points in 5 of last 6 home games

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

Brevard’s home‑field advantage at Ives‑Lemel Family Field

KCU’s defensive struggles vs. balanced offenses

Brevard’s returning offensive core from 2024 win

Weather conditions favoring clean execution on offense

Game Odds

Kentucky Christian Knights          52.5

Brevard Tornados                            – 13.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025