Venue & Game Details
Location: Faught Stadium – Franklin, Indiana
Kickoff: 10:30 a.m. ET
Broadcast: Franklin Grizzlies Sports Network (video), ONU Sports Radio (audio), live stats via both schools’ athletics sites
Capacity: ~5,000
Weather Forecast (Franklin, IN – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm
Temperature: ~78°F (26°C) at kickoff, climbing into the low 80s by the second half
Wind: SW at 5–8 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Excellent early‑season football weather; minimal wind effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
Ohio Northern
No major preseason injuries reported.
QB Sam Feldman returns after leading ONU with 948 passing yards and 10 TDs in 2024.
RB tandem Jordan Pettaway (1,000+ rush yds) and Louie Blasiole (11 TDs) both healthy.
WR corps intact, led by Seth Borondy (team‑high 4 receiving TDs).
Defense returns LB Myles Aldrich (54 tackles, 12.5 TFL) and DB Cooper Braden (55 tackles, 1 INT).
Franklin
No significant absences reported.
QB Josh Rinehart expected to start after splitting time in 2024.
RB Jacob Earl (team’s leading rusher) healthy.
WR Brayden Smith (top returning receiver) available.
Defense anchored by LB Ethan Jenkins.
Team Records & 2024 Recap
Ohio Northern: 5‑5 overall, 4‑5 OAC; averaged 26.4 PPG, allowed 28.1 PPG.
Franklin: 4‑6 overall, 4‑3 HCAC; averaged 28.0 PPG, allowed 33.7 PPG.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Ohio Northern
W @ Otterbein 47‑15
L @ Baldwin Wallace 27‑26
L vs. John Carroll 49‑13
L vs. Mount Union 42‑13
W @ Capital 42‑41
Franklin
L vs. Hanover 31‑27
L @ Bluffton 28‑22
W vs. Anderson (IN) 35‑14
L vs. Mount St. Joseph 46‑43
W @ Manchester 49‑0
Key Player Matchups
RB Jordan Pettaway (ONU) vs. Franklin Front Seven
Pettaway’s combination of speed and vision vs. a defense that allowed 180+ rush yds/game in 2024.
QB Sam Feldman (ONU) vs. Franklin Secondary
Feldman’s efficiency and play‑action passing vs. a unit that surrendered 33.7 PPG last season.
QB Josh Rinehart (FC) vs. ONU Pass Rush
Rinehart’s ability to extend plays vs. Aldrich and ONU’s blitz packages.
WR Brayden Smith (FC) vs. ONU CB2
Smith’s route running and YAC potential could be Franklin’s best shot at chunk plays.
Special Teams
ONU’s reliable kicking game vs. Franklin’s aggressive return units.
Series History
All-Time: Ohio Northern leads 2‑0
First Meeting: Nov. 21, 2015 — ONU 27, Franklin 22 (NCAA First Round)
Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 — ONU 45, Franklin 7 in Ada, OH
ONU led 31‑0 at halftime; Pettaway and Blasiole combined for 3 rushing TDs.
ONU defense held Franklin to 7 points and forced multiple turnovers.
Betting Trends
Ohio Northern: 3‑2 ATS in last 5; OVER in 3 of last 4.
Franklin: 2‑3 ATS in last 5; OVER in 4 of last 6.
Head-to-Head: ONU has covered in both meetings; OVER hit in 1 of 2.
Game Odds
Ohio Northern Polar Bears – 14
Franklin Grizzlies 55
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
