Venue & Game Info
Stadium: Shuford Stadium (capacity ~6,000)
Location: Salisbury, North Carolina
Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ / SAC Digital Network
Weather Forecast (Salisbury, NC)
Conditions: Partly cloudy, mild fall evening
Temperature: ~72°F at kickoff, cooling into the mid‑60s by the fourth quarter
Wind: 5–8 mph
Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking
Injury Report
Mars Hill Lions (3-1, 3-1 SAC):
QB Sean White – Probable (ankle soreness)
RB Malik Brown – Questionable (hamstring)
Catawba Indians (3–1, 2–1 SAC)
QB Alex Finn – Probable (shoulder soreness)
WR Ethan Holbrook – Probable (knee bruise)
Key Player Matchups
QB Sean White (Mars Hill) vs Catawba Secondary
White has been efficient in past SAC play; Catawba’s secondary has forced turnovers in 3 of 4 games this season.
RB Malik Brown (Mars Hill) vs LB Khris Walton (Catawba)
Brown is Mars Hill’s workhorse; Walton is Catawba’s leading tackler.
QB Alex Finn (Catawba) vs Mars Hill Pass Rush
Finn has guided Catawba to a 3–1 start, including a 44–34 win over UVA Wise. Mars Hill’s defensive line must pressure him.
WR Ethan Holbrook (Catawba) vs CB Marcus Hall (Mars Hill)
Holbrook is Catawba’s top target; Hall is Mars Hill’s best cover corner.
Recent Team Form
Mars Hill (last 5 in 2024)
L 31–26 @ Limestone
W 31–16 @ Anderson
W 31–23 vs Emory & Henry
W 31–17 @ UVA Wise
W 30–3 vs Tusculum
Trend: Finished 4–1 down the stretch in 2024, strong SAC contender.
Catawba (2025 start, 3–1 overall, 2–1 SAC)
W 45–13 vs Ferrum
L 35–7 @ Emory & Henry
W 44–34 vs UVA Wise
W 21–10 @ Newberry
Trend: Two‑game win streak entering this matchup.
Series History
All‑time: Mars Hill leads the modern series
Recent:
2024: Mars Hill 31–17
2023: Mars Hill 28–14
2022: Mars Hill 35–21
Trend: Mars Hill has won 3 straight, all by multiple scores.
ATS (Against the Spread):
Mars Hill: 4–1 ATS last 5
Catawba: 2–3 ATS last 5
Historical Betting Results:
Mars Hill has covered in 3 straight vs Catawba
Catawba has failed to cover in 4 of last 6 SAC games
Projected Score: Mars Hill 30 – Catawba 21
Game Odds
Mars Hill Lions – 6.5
Catawba Indians 52.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025
