Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Meares Stadium, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Capacity: ~5,000
Coverage: SAC Live Stream / Local Radio via Mars Hill Athletics
Weather Forecast (Mars Hill, NC)
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Kickoff Temperature: ~75°F (24°C)
Wind: 5–7 mph from the southwest
Precipitation Chance: <10%
Impact: Ideal football weather — minimal effect on passing or kicking games
Injury Report
Carson–Newman Eagles
QB1 (Probable) – Healthy after 2 TD performance in Week 1 win over West Virginia State
RB1 (Probable) – No reported injuries; rushed for 100+ yards in opener
LB1 (Questionable) – Shoulder soreness, game-time decision
Mars Hill Lions
QB1 (Probable) – Expected to start after full participation in practice
WR2 (Out) – Hamstring strain, 2–3 weeks recovery
CB1 (Probable) – Wrist wrap, cleared for contact
Recent Form
Carson–Newman
Week 1: Defeated West Virginia State 41–10 — balanced offense, +2 turnover margin
2024 Finish: 6–5 overall, 5–4 SAC
Mars Hill
Season opener — first action since 2024, when they finished 8–3 and reached the NCAA Division II playoffs
Closed 2024 on a 4-game win streak before playoff loss to Lenoir–Rhyne
Series History
All-Time: Carson–Newman leads 37–9
Last Meeting: Mars Hill won 41–31 in 2024 — Lions’ QB threw for 300+ yards, defense forced 3 turnovers
Key Player Matchups
Carson–Newman QB vs. Mars Hill Secondary: Eagles’ vertical passing game vs. a Lions defense that allowed multiple deep completions in last year’s meeting
Mars Hill RB1 vs. Carson–Newman Front Seven: Lions’ power run game will test an Eagles defense that held WVSU to under 80 rushing yards in Week 1
Special Teams: Carson–Newman’s kicker perfect in opener; Mars Hill’s return unit dangerous in open field
Betting Trends
Carson–Newman is 5-2 ATS in last 7 games vs. SAC opponents
Mars Hill is 6-1 ATS in last 7 home games
The Over has hit in 4 of the last 5 meetings between these teams
Game Odds
Carson–Newman Eagles 51.5
Mars Hill Lions – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
