NAIA-CFB Game Preview: Reinhardt Eagles (1-0) vs. Cumberland Phoenix (0-1)

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Venue, Date & Time

Conference Context: Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) vs. Mid-South Conference crossover

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Kickoff: 6:00 PM CDT

Venue: Nokes–Lasater Field, Lebanon, Tennessee

Event Note: Cumberland’s 2025 season opener under the lights

Weather Forecast (Lebanon, TN – Game Day)

Conditions: Mostly clear skies in the evening

Temperature at Kickoff: ~79°F (26°C)

Wind: 4–7 mph from the southwest

Precipitation Chance: <10%

Impact on Play: Ideal early-season football weather; no significant wind or rain expected to affect passing or kicking games.

Injury Report (as of latest available updates)

Reinhardt Eagles

No major injuries reported after Week 1 vs. Florida Memorial.

QB and RB rotations intact; OL depth healthy.

Cumberland Phoenix

No confirmed absences after preseason camp.

Returning multiple 2024 All-Mid-South selections, including QB Luke Holloway, RB Jeremiah Bryant, and DE Dez Wallace.

Recent Team Form

Reinhardt Eagles

2024 Record: 7–4 overall, AAC Co-Champions (lost tiebreaker to Pikeville)

Closed 2024 with a 35–31 home win over Cumberland.

Known for physical rushing attack and opportunistic defense.

Cumberland Phoenix

2024 Record: 7–3 overall, 3–3 Mid-South Conference

Finished season ranked/receiving votes for first time since 2018.

Offense averaged 29.4 PPG; defense allowed 21.7 PPG.

Series History

All-Time: Reinhardt leads 4–2 since 2013

Last Meeting: Sept. 21, 2024 – Reinhardt 35, Cumberland 31 (Waleska, GA)

Largest CU Win: 28–24 (2013)

Smallest CU Win: 20–19 (2023)

Notable: Four of six meetings have been decided by 8 points or fewer.

Betting Trends

Reinhardt is 4-2 SU vs. Cumberland since 2013.

The Over has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings.

Cumberland is 5-1 SU in last 6 home openers.

Reinhardt is 6-2 ATS in last 8 AAC non-conference games.

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

Historical scoring averages in series (~50 total points/game).

Reinhardt’s rushing efficiency vs. CU’s defensive front.

CU’s home-field advantage in openers.

Weather: Neutral impact.

Game Odds

Reinhardt Eagles              – 4.5

Cumberland Phoenix     52.5

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