D3-CFB Game Preview: Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (1-1) vs. Bridgewater Eagles (0-2)

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Kickoff: 2:00 PM ET
Venue: Jopson Athletic Complex, Bridgewater, Virginia (Capacity: ~3,500)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / ODAC Network

Weather Forecast (Bridgewater, VA)

Temperature: ~74°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter

Conditions: Partly sunny, light winds (5–8 mph)

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

Injury Report

Randolph-Macon (ODAC):

QB Jack O’Connor (ankle) – Probable.

RB Marcus Carter (hamstring) – Questionable.

LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.

Bridgewater (ODAC):

QB Tyler Smith (starter, 2 TDs, 3 INTs through 2 games) – Healthy.

RB Chris Johnson (knee) – Probable.

WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.

Key Player Matchups

QB Jack O’Connor (Randolph-Macon) vs. Bridgewater Secondary

O’Connor’s ability to stretch the field vertically will test the Eagles’ defensive backs.

RB Marcus Carter (Randolph-Macon) vs. Bridgewater Front Seven

If active, Carter’s downhill running could help R-MC control tempo.

QB Tyler Smith (Bridgewater) vs. Randolph-Macon Pass Rush

Smith has been turnover-prone; R-MC’s aggressive front will look to capitalize.

RB Chris Johnson (Bridgewater) vs. Randolph-Macon Linebackers

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

Recent Team Form

Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (1–1, ODAC)

9/5/25: W 48–34 vs. Dickinson

9/13/25: L 10–0 @ Central (IA)

Trend: Offense averaging 24 PPG; defense stout but shut out in Week 2.

Bridgewater Eagles (0–2, ODAC)

9/6/25: L 35–14 @ Stevenson

9/13/25: L 56–17 @ Susquehanna

Trend: Offense averaging 15.5 PPG; defense allowing 45.5 PPG.

Series History

Randolph-Macon leads the all-time series.

Last meeting (2024): Randolph-Macon defeated Bridgewater 38–7.

R-MC has won the last five meetings, often by double digits.

Bridgewater’s last win in the series came in 2017.

Betting Trends

Randolph-Macon:

4–1 ATS in last 5 games.

3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.

5–0 SU in last 5 ODAC games.

Bridgewater:

1–4 ATS in last 5 games.

4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.

1–4 SU in last 5 home games.

Head-to-Head: Randolph-Macon has covered in 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Historical Betting Results

Randolph-Macon: Profitable ATS as a road favorite; unders common due to defensive strength.

Bridgewater: Struggles ATS as a home underdog; overs frequent due to defensive lapses.

ODAC Trends: Ranked ODAC teams cover ~62% of the time in September conference play.

Game Odds

Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets               – 17.5

Bridgewater Eagles                                         49.5

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