Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Jessee/Miller Field at Tansill Muldoon Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut (Capacity: ~6,500)
Broadcast: NESCAC Network / ESPN+
Weather Forecast (Hartford, CT)
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Partly cloudy, light winds (5–9 mph)
Impact: Excellent early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Bates Bobcats (NESCAC):
QB Jack O’Brien (ankle) – Probable.
RB Sam Perry (hamstring) – Questionable.
LB Ethan Walsh (shoulder) – Out.
Trinity Bantams (NESCAC):
QB Brian Moran (starter, 220 YPG, 16 TDs in 2024) – Healthy.
RB Connor McClellan (7 rushing TDs in 2024) – Healthy.
WR Mike Ahonen (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.
Key Player Matchups
QB Jack O’Brien (Bates) vs. Trinity Secondary
O’Brien’s mobility is central to Bates’ offense; Trinity’s DBs must contain deep shots.
RB Sam Perry (Bates) vs. Trinity Front Seven
If active, Perry’s power running could help Bates control tempo.
QB Brian Moran (Trinity) vs. Bates Pass Rush
Moran is one of the NESCAC’s top passers; Bates must pressure him to avoid long drives.
RB Connor McClellan (Trinity) vs. Bates Linebackers
McClellan’s red-zone efficiency makes him a constant threat.
Recent Team Form
Bates Bobcats (2024 close):
11/9/24: L 24–21 @ Hamilton
11/2/24: L 35–24 vs. Bowdoin
10/26/24: W 21–20 vs. Middlebury
10/19/24: L 24–21 @ Williams
10/12/24: L 45–22 vs. Tufts
Trend: Inconsistent, but capable of close games; defense has struggled late.
Trinity Bantams (2024 close):
11/9/24: L 27–17 vs. Wesleyan
11/2/24: W 45–20 @ Amherst
10/26/24: W 34–14 vs. Bowdoin
10/19/24: L 24–21 @ Middlebury
10/12/24: W 31–7 vs. Hamilton
Trend: Strong defense, balanced offense; perennial NESCAC contender.
Series History
Trinity has historically dominated the series.
Bates has not beaten Trinity in over a decade.
Last meeting (2024): Trinity defeated Bates comfortably, continuing its winning streak.
Betting Trends
Bates:
2–3 ATS in last 5 games.
4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.
1–4 SU in last 5 games.
Trinity:
4–1 ATS in last 5 games.
3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.
4–1 SU in last 5 games.
Head-to-Head: Trinity has covered in 4 of the last 5 meetings.
Historical Betting Results
Bates: Struggles ATS as a road underdog; overs common due to defensive lapses.
Trinity: Strong ATS at home; defense-driven unders frequent.
NESCAC Trends: Home favorites cover ~60% of the time in September conference play.
Game Odds
Bates Bobcats 48.5
Trinity (CT) Bantams – 17.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
