D3-CFB Game Preview: Elmhurst Bluejays (1-0) vs. Illinois Wesleyan Titans (0-1)

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Kickoff: 1:00 PM CT
Venue: Tucci Stadium, Bloomington, Illinois (Capacity: ~3,500)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / CCIW Network

Weather Forecast (Bloomington, IL)

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

Elmhurst Bluejays (CCIW):

QB Michael Campbell (ankle) – Probable.

RB Jordan Reyes (hamstring) – Questionable.

LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.

Illinois Wesleyan Titans (CCIW):

QB Tyler Smith (starter, 4 TDs, 2 INTs through 2 games) – Healthy.

RB Chris Johnson (knee) – Probable.

WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.

Key Player Matchups

QB Michael Campbell (Elmhurst) vs. IWU Secondary

Campbell’s ability to extend plays and throw deep will test the Titans’ defensive backs.

RB Jordan Reyes (Elmhurst) vs. IWU Front Seven

If active, Reyes’ downhill running could help Elmhurst control tempo.

QB Tyler Smith (IWU) vs. Elmhurst Pass Rush

Smith has been efficient but must avoid turnovers against an aggressive Bluejays front.

RB Chris Johnson (IWU) vs. Elmhurst Linebackers

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

Recent Team Form

Elmhurst Bluejays (0–2, CCIW)

9/6/25: L 34–30 vs. Rockford

9/13/25: L 42–14 @ Millikin

Trend: Offense averaging 22 PPG; defense allowing 38 PPG.

Illinois Wesleyan Titans (1–1, CCIW)

9/6/25: L 28–21 @ Wheaton (IL)

9/13/25: W 42–10 @ Carthage

Trend: Offense averaging 31.5 PPG; defense allowing 19 PPG.

Series History

Illinois Wesleyan has historically dominated the series.

Last meeting (2024): IWU defeated Elmhurst 38–7.

IWU has won 9 of the last 10 meetings.

Elmhurst’s last win in the series came in 2012.

Betting Trends

Elmhurst:

1–4 ATS in last 5 games.

4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.

0–5 SU in last 5 road games.

Illinois Wesleyan:

3–2 ATS in last 5 games.

3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.

4–1 SU in last 5 home games.

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

Game Odds

Elmhurst Bluejays                           51.5

Illinois Wesleyan Titans                 – 17.5

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