D3-CFB Game Preview: North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops (1-0) vs. The Apprentice School Builders (0-1)

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Venue & Game Details

Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET

Venue: Apprentice Athletic Field at War Memorial Stadium, Newport News, Virginia

Surface: Natural Grass

Broadcast: Local live stream via Apprentice School Athletics / Live Stats

Weather Forecast (Kickoff)

Conditions: Mostly sunny

Temperature: ~78°F (26°C)

Humidity: ~60%

Wind: SW at 6–8 mph

Impact: Minimal — ideal conditions for both passing and kicking games.

Injury Report

North Carolina Wesleyan

No major injuries reported after Week 1 win over Averett.

Starting QB, RB, and WR corps available; offensive line depth intact.

Defensive starters healthy.

Apprentice School

No significant injuries reported after Week 1 loss to Southern Virginia.

QB1 and top RB cleared to play; secondary at full strength.

Key Player Matchups

N.C. Wesleyan QB vs. Apprentice Secondary — Bishops’ signal-caller was efficient in Week 1, spreading the ball to multiple receivers. Apprentice allowed several chunk plays through the air in their opener.

Apprentice RB1 vs. N.C. Wesleyan Front Seven — Builders’ lead back is the focal point of their offense; Bishops’ run defense held Averett under 100 yards rushing.

N.C. Wesleyan WR1 vs. Apprentice CB1 — A deep-threat receiver against Apprentice’s top cover man could decide explosive play potential.

Special Teams — N.C. Wesleyan’s kicker was perfect on PATs and hit a 40+ yard FG in Week 1; Apprentice’s return units could be a hidden factor if they can flip field position.

Recent Form

N.C. Wesleyan Battling Bishops

W 35–14 vs. Averett — Balanced offense, opportunistic defense with multiple takeaways.

Finished 2024 at 6-4, averaging 27.1 PPG and allowing 21.3 PPG.

Apprentice School Builders

L 14–27 vs. Southern Virginia — Offense moved the ball but stalled in red zone; defense gave up over 150 rushing yards.

Finished 2024 at 3-6, averaging 18.4 PPG and allowing 29.7 PPG.

Series History

All-time meetings: N.C. Wesleyan leads 5–0

Last meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 — N.C. Wesleyan 49, Apprentice 7 in Rocky Mount, NC.

Trend: Bishops have won all meetings by double digits.

Betting Trends & Angles

N.C. Wesleyan: 4-1 SU in last 5 games; 3-2 ATS (unofficial DIII tracking).

Apprentice: 2-8 SU in last 10 games; 4-6 ATS.

Totals: Over has hit in 3 of last 4 N.C. Wesleyan games; Apprentice has gone Under in 3 of last 5.

Situational: N.C. Wesleyan on the road after a home win; Apprentice in home opener after a loss.

Game Odds

NC Wesleyan Battling Bishops                    – 17.5

The Apprentice School Builders                51.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025