D3-CFB Game Preview: Olivet Comets (0-0) vs. U-Rochester Yellowjackets (0-0)

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Venue & Game Details

Location: Edwin Fauver Stadium – Rochester, New York

Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET

Broadcast: Rochester Athletics Network (video), Olivet Comets Radio (audio), live stats via both schools’ athletics sites

Capacity: ~5,000

Weather Forecast (Rochester, NY – Kickoff)

Conditions: Partly cloudy, cool for early September

Temperature: ~59°F (15°C) at kickoff, warming into the low 60s by the second half

Wind: WNW at 8–12 mph

Precipitation: <10%

Impact: Mild temps and light wind — minimal effect on passing/kicking, though crosswind could slightly influence special teams

Injury Report

Olivet

No major preseason injuries reported; starting QB and RB rotations intact.

WR Kevin Lebron (72‑yard TD catch in 2024 meeting) healthy.

QB Thomas Foust (accounted for 3 TDs vs. Rochester last year) available.

Rochester

No significant absences; QB Ryan Rose returns after throwing 3 TD passes in last year’s win.

WR Trey Johnson (2 TD catches in 2024 opener) and RB Daniel Papantonis (17‑yard TD run last year) both healthy.

Team Records & 2024 Recap

Olivet: 1‑9 overall, 1‑5 MIAA; averaged 17.8 PPG, allowed 43.2 PPG.

Rochester: 2‑8 overall, 1‑5 Liberty League; averaged 14.2 PPG, allowed 31.6 PPG.

Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)

Olivet

L vs. Hope 48‑12

L @ Albion 49‑14

W vs. Calvin 21‑13

L @ Alma 67‑14

L @ Trine 35‑28

Rochester

L @ Hobart 37‑7

L @ Union (NY) 34‑13

L vs. Buffalo State 35‑21

W vs. U.S. Merchant Marine 21‑0

L @ Ithaca 24‑0

Key Player Matchups

QB Thomas Foust (OLI) vs. Rochester Secondary

Foust’s dual‑threat ability (47‑yard TD run, 2‑yard TD run in 2024) vs. a secondary that picked him off 3 times last year.

WR Kevin Lebron (OLI) vs. CB1 Rochester

Deep‑ball threat who opened scoring last year with a 72‑yard TD.

QB Ryan Rose (ROC) vs. Olivet Pass Rush

Rose threw 3 TDs in 2024 meeting; Olivet must generate pressure to disrupt timing.

WR Trey Johnson (ROC) vs. Olivet CB2

Johnson’s red‑zone efficiency (2 TDs last year) could be decisive again.

RB Daniel Papantonis (ROC) vs. Olivet Front Seven

Physical runner who scored in 2024; key to controlling tempo.

Series History

All-Time: Rochester leads 1‑0

Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 — Rochester 28, Olivet 21 in Olivet, MI

Rochester overcame two separate deficits, scoring twice in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

Total yards: Olivet 384, Rochester 264; turnovers: Olivet 5, Rochester 2.

Betting Trends

Olivet: 2‑8 ATS in 2024; OVER in 6 of last 8 games.

Rochester: 4‑6 ATS in 2024; UNDER in 6 of last 9 games.

Head-to-Head: Last year’s total (49 points) went OVER the projected 46.5.

Game Odds

Olivet Comets                                   47

U-Rochester Yellowjackets          – 4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025