Venue & Game Details
- Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM CDT
- Venue: Olathe District Activity Center (ODAC), Olathe, Kansas
- Capacity: ~5,000
- Conference: Heart of America Athletic Conference (South Division)
Weather Forecast (Olathe, KS)
- Kickoff Temperature: ~26°C (79°F), cooling into the low 70s by evening
- Conditions: Mostly sunny with scattered clouds
- Wind: 12–15 km/h from the southwest
- Precipitation:
- Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal disruptions expected
Injury Report
- Missouri Baptist Spartans:
- QB group healthy; starter threw 3 TDs in the Week 1 win over St. Ambrose.
- WR corps intact, including a deep threat who had 100+ yards vs. Grand View.
- Defensive secondary thin after injuries in Week 2.
- MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers:
- QB group healthy; starter threw for 202 yards and 2 TDs in the 31–34 loss to William Penn.
- RB rotation intact, though depth is being tested.
- DL slightly banged up but starters expected to play.
(Note: NAIA programs release limited injury info; updates closer to kickoff may adjust this.)
Key Player Matchups
- Missouri Baptist QB vs. MNU Secondary
- Missouri Baptist has leaned on its passing game, averaging 250+ yards per game.
- MNU’s secondary has forced multiple turnovers in three of four games.
- MNU QB vs. Missouri Baptist Defensive Front
- MNU QB threw for 202 yards vs. William Penn, but the offense was held to just 47 rushing yards.
- Missouri Baptist’s defense has struggled against the run, giving up 200+ yards in two games.
- Special Teams Edge
- MNU kicker has been reliable from mid-range.
- Missouri Baptist has struggled in punt coverage, giving up long returns.
Recent Team Form
- Missouri Baptist Spartans (1–2)
- W 38–35 vs. St. Ambrose (Sept 6)
- L 17–49 @ #1 Grand View (Sept 13)
- L 20–35 vs. Graceland (Sept 20)
- Strengths: Passing game, home-field competitiveness.
- Weaknesses: Defense has allowed 39.7 ppg.
- MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers (3–1)
- W 42–14 vs. Clarke (Aug 30)
- W 47–28 @ Culver-Stockton (Sept 6)
- W 35–21 vs. Missouri Valley (Sept 13)
- L 31–34 @ William Penn (Sept 20)
- Strengths: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense.
- Weaknesses: Struggled to stop the run vs. William Penn (228 yards allowed).
Conference vs. Conference
- Both teams are Heart of America Athletic Conference rivals.
- This is the conference opener for both programs.
- MNU is ranked #12 nationally and looking to rebound after a tough road loss.
- Missouri Baptist is seeking its first-ever win over a ranked Heart opponent.
Series History
- All-time series: MidAmerica Nazarene leads.
- Last 5 meetings: MNU has won 4 of 5.
- 2024 season: MNU defeated Missouri Baptist 41–17 in St. Louis.
- Trend: MNU has consistently controlled the rivalry, especially at home.
Betting Trends
- Missouri Baptist:
- 1–2 ATS in 2025
- 1–6 ATS in last 7 Heart games
- 4 of last 5 games have gone Over
- MidAmerica Nazarene:
- 3–1 ATS in 2025
- 4–1 ATS in last 5 vs. Missouri Baptist
- 3 of last 4 games have gone Over
Historical Betting Results
- 2024: MNU -10.5 covered in a 41–17 win (Under cashed).
- 2023: MNU -7.5 covered in a 34–20 win (Over cashed).
- 2022: Missouri Baptist +6.5 upset MNU 27–24 (Over cashed).
Game Odds
Missouri Baptist Spartans 57
MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers – 13.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
