Venue & Game Details
Location: Tucci Stadium – Bloomington, Illinois
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: IWU Sports Network (video), Central Dutch Network (audio), live stats via both schools’ athletics sites
Capacity: ~3,500
Weather Forecast (Bloomington, IL – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, mild
Temperature: ~66°F (19°C) at kickoff, warming into the low 70s by the second half
Wind: NE at 5–8 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Ideal early‑season football weather; minimal wind effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
Central
No major preseason injuries reported.
QB Brady Ketchum returns after throwing for 377 yards and 5 TDs in last year’s meeting.
WR Keegan Glover (2 TD catches vs. IWU in 2024) healthy.
RB Jase Grunder (2 rushing TDs last year) available.
Defense anchored by LB Ryan Neu (also caught a TD pass in 2024).
Illinois Wesleyan
No significant absences reported.
QB Dermot Smyth back after 156 passing yards and 2 TDs in 2024 loss.
WR Jimmy Deacy (7 rec, 70 yds last year) healthy.
RB Jahari Scott (receiving TD vs. Central in 2024) available.
LB Cole Pradel (17 tackles, 1 INT last year) returns.
Team Records & 2024 Recap
Central: 8‑2 overall, American Rivers Conference; averaged 41.2 PPG, allowed 14.8 PPG.
Illinois Wesleyan: 6‑4 overall, CCIW; averaged 27.0 PPG, allowed 23.6 PPG.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Central
W @ Nebraska Wesleyan 32‑0
W vs. Loras 45‑7
W @ Dubuque 38‑21
W vs. Luther 56‑3
L @ Coe 16‑13 (2OT)
Illinois Wesleyan
L vs. North Central 42‑20
W @ Carthage 24‑21
W vs. Augustana 29‑21
L @ North Park 28‑24
W vs. Millikin 51‑8
Key Player Matchups
QB Brady Ketchum (CEN) vs. IWU Secondary
Ketchum’s 72.5% completion rate and 5 TDs last year shredded IWU’s coverage; Titans must generate pressure.
WR Keegan Glover (CEN) vs. CB1 IWU
Glover’s deep‑threat ability (TDs of 24 and 44 yds in 2024) vs. physical man coverage.
RB Jase Grunder (CEN) vs. IWU Front Seven
Grunder’s short‑yardage power running vs. a unit that allowed 164 rush yds last year to Central.
QB Dermot Smyth (IWU) vs. Central Pass Rush
Smyth must improve efficiency (3.3 yds/att in 2024) against a defense that thrives on third‑down stops.
WR Jimmy Deacy (IWU) vs. Central CB2
Deacy’s possession skills could be key to sustaining drives.
Special Teams
Central’s Logan Sunvold was perfect on PATs and solid on kickoffs last year; field position could be decisive.
Series History
All-Time: Central leads 2‑0
First Meeting: Sept. 9, 2023 — Central 38, IWU 13 (Bloomington, IL)
Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 — Central 49, IWU 14 (Pella, IA)
Central led 21‑0 after the first quarter; outgained IWU 541‑171 in total yards.
Average Margin: Central +30 points.
Betting Trends
Central: 7‑3 ATS in 2024; OVER in 6 of last 9.
Illinois Wesleyan: 5‑5 ATS in 2024; OVER in 5 of last 8.
Head-to-Head: Central covered in both meetings; OVER hit in 1 of 2.
Game Odds
Central Dutch 54
Illinois Wesleyan Titans – 17
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
