D3-CFB Game Preview: Franklin Grizzlies (1-1) vs. Trine Thunder (1-1)

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Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium, Angola, Indiana (Capacity: ~5,000)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / MIAA Network

Weather Forecast (Angola, IN)

Temperature: ~73°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter

Conditions: Partly sunny, light winds (6–9 mph)

Impact: Excellent early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Franklin Grizzlies (HCAC):

QB Josh Miller (ankle) – Probable.

RB Derrick Johnson (hamstring) – Questionable.

LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.

Trine Thunder (MIAA):

QB Ethan Krause (starter, 3 TDs, 1 INT through 2 games) – Healthy.

RB Jaylen Smith (knee) – Probable.

WR Marcus Lee (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.

Key Player Matchups

QB Josh Miller (Franklin) vs. Trine Secondary

Miller’s ability to extend plays and throw deep will test Trine’s defensive backs.

RB Derrick Johnson (Franklin) vs. Trine Front Seven

If active, Johnson’s downhill running could help Franklin control tempo.

QB Ethan Krause (Trine) vs. Franklin Pass Rush

Krause has been efficient and accurate; Franklin must pressure him to avoid another multi-TD outing.

RB Jaylen Smith (Trine) vs. Franklin Linebackers

Smith’s ability to grind out yards between the tackles will be key to sustaining drives.

Recent Team Form

Franklin Grizzlies (1–0, HCAC)

9/6/25: W 27–20 vs. Ohio Northern

9/13/25: vs. #18 Hope (result pending at preview time)

Trend: Offense averaging 27 PPG; defense opportunistic, forcing turnovers.

Trine Thunder (1–1, MIAA)

9/6/25: L 38–7 @ Christopher Newport

9/13/25: W 27–10 vs. Rose-Hulman

Trend: Offense averaging 17 PPG; defense rebounded strongly in Week 2.

Series History

Franklin and Trine have met occasionally in non-conference play.

Trine won the most recent matchup in 2023.

Franklin last defeated Trine in the late 2010s.

Betting Trends

Franklin:

3–2 ATS in last 5 games.

3 of last 5 games have gone over the total.

2–3 SU in last 5 road games.

Trine:

2–3 ATS in last 5 games.

4 of last 5 games have gone under the total.

3–2 SU in last 5 home games.

Head-to-Head: Trine has covered in 2 of the last 3 meetings.

Historical Betting Results

Franklin: Mixed ATS as a road underdog; overs common due to offensive style.

Trine: Stronger ATS at home; unders frequent due to defensive emphasis.

HCAC vs. MIAA: MIAA teams cover ~56% of the time in interconference matchups.

Game Odds

Franklin Grizzlies             48.5

Trine Thunder                   – 4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025