Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
Venue: Docking Stadium, Adrian, Michigan (Capacity: ~5,500)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Adrian College YouTube Live
Weather Forecast (Adrian, MI)
Temperature: ~72°F (22°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
Manchester Spartans (HCAC):
QB Ethan Carter (ankle) – Probable.
RB Jordan Reyes (hamstring) – Questionable.
LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.
Adrian Bulldogs (MIAA):
QB Nate Larson (starter, 3 TDs, 1 INT through 2 games) – Healthy.
RB Chris Johnson (knee) – Probable.
WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.
Key Player Matchups
QB Ethan Carter (Manchester) vs. Adrian Secondary
Carter must find consistency against a Bulldogs defense that just shut out Thiel.
RB Jordan Reyes (Manchester) vs. Adrian Front Seven
If active, Reyes’ ability to churn out yards could help Manchester sustain drives.
QB Nate Larson (Adrian) vs. Manchester Pass Rush
Larson has been efficient; if given time, he can pick apart the Spartans’ defense.
RB Chris Johnson (Adrian) vs. Manchester Linebackers
Johnson’s power running could wear down a Spartans defense that has struggled against the run.
Recent Team Form
Manchester Spartans (0–2, HCAC)
9/6/25: L 35–14 vs. Concordia Chicago
9/13/25: L 21–14 @ Westminster (MO)
End of 2024: L 31–17 @ Anderson, L 43–7 vs. Mount St. Joseph, L 70–7 @ Rose-Hulman, L 55–7 vs. Hanover
Trend: Offense averaging 14 PPG; defense allowing 28 PPG in 2025. Still searching for first win.
Adrian Bulldogs (2–0, MIAA)
9/6/25: W 10–7 @ Valparaiso (FCS)
9/13/25: W 76–0 vs. Thiel
End of 2024: L 31–7 vs. Alma, L 52–32 @ Trine, W 35–21 vs. Kalamazoo, L 45–0 @ Hope
Trend: Offense averaging 43 PPG in 2025; defense allowing just 3.5 PPG. Bulldogs look sharp early.
Series History
Adrian and Manchester have limited recent head-to-head history.
Last meeting: Adrian defeated Manchester in 2023 (non-conference).
Adrian leads the modern series.
Betting Trends
Manchester:
0–5 ATS in last 5 games.
4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.
0–10 SU in last 10 games overall.
Adrian:
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: Adrian has covered in both recent meetings.
Historical Betting Results
Manchester: Struggles ATS as a road underdog; overs common due to defensive lapses.
Adrian: Profitable ATS at home; unders frequent when defense dominates.
MIAA vs. HCAC Trends: MIAA teams cover ~62% of the time in September non-conference play.
Game Odds
Manchester Spartans 51.5
Adrian Bulldogs – 21.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
