Venue & Game Details
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: Whittier Field, Brunswick, Maine
Surface: Natural Grass
Broadcast: Northeast Sports Network (video) WCME Radio 99.5 FM / 900 AM Live Stats via Bowdoin Athletics
Weather Forecast (Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Temperature: ~69°F (21°C)
Humidity: ~55%
Wind: Light SW breeze at 5–7 mph
Impact: Ideal early-season football weather — minimal wind and comfortable temps should favor both passing and kicking games.
Injury Report
Tufts Jumbos
No major injuries reported entering Week 1.
New starting QB Justin Keller (junior) expected to lead the offense after the graduation of record-setting QB Michael Berluti.
RB Christian Shapiro (672 yds, 8 TDs in 2024) healthy; RB Chartellis Reece returns after missing 2024 (808 yds, 8 TDs in 2023).
WR corps intact; OL returns multiple starters.
Defense replaces all five starters in the secondary and two starting DL.
Bowdoin Polar Bears
No significant injuries reported.
QB [Starter Name] returns after starting in 2024; WR corps healthy.
Defense returns several starters from a unit that allowed 23.4 PPG last season.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games of 2024)
Tufts Jumbos
W 17–7 vs. Middlebury
W 28–21 @ Colby
W 27–24 @ Williams
W 20–13 vs. Hamilton
W 45–22 @ Bates
Bowdoin Polar Bears
L 34–10 vs. Colby
W 35–24 @ Bates
L 34–14 @ Trinity
L 17–14 vs. Wesleyan
W 35–7 @ Amherst
Series History
All-time meetings: Tufts leads 67–49–2
Last meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 — Tufts 23, Bowdoin 21 in Medford, MA. Tufts sealed the win with a late interception.
Trend: Tufts has won the last nine meetings; Bowdoin’s last win came in 2014.
Key Player Matchups
QB Justin Keller (Tufts) vs. Bowdoin Secondary — Keller’s first collegiate start comes against a veteran defensive backfield; his dual-threat ability could stress the Polar Bears.
RB Christian Shapiro / Chartellis Reece (Tufts) vs. Bowdoin Front Seven — Tufts’ two-headed rushing attack will test Bowdoin’s run defense.
Bowdoin QB vs. Tufts Rebuilt Secondary — With Tufts replacing all five starters in the defensive backfield, Bowdoin may look to attack through the air early.
Special Teams — Field position could be pivotal; both teams have reliable kickers and return units.
Betting Trends & Angles
Tufts: 7-3 ATS in last 10 games (unofficial DIII tracking).
Bowdoin: 4-6 ATS in last 10 games.
Totals: Over has hit in 3 of last 4 Tufts games; Over in 4 of last 6 Bowdoin games.
Situational: Both teams in season opener; Bowdoin at home for first time in 2025.
Game Odds
Tufts Jumbos – 7.5
Bowdoin Polar Bears 50.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
