FCS-CFB Game Preview: Mercyhurst Lakers (5-6) vs. Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (7-4)

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Venue & Game Details

Location: Arute Field, New Britain, Connecticut

Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET

Broadcast: NEC Front Row

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Late November in Connecticut brings crisp fall weather. Forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, 45°F, winds 10–12 mph.

Impact: Wind could affect deep passing, favoring short throws and ground-heavy play.

Injury Report

Central Connecticut: QB Brady Olson (558 passing yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs) expected to start despite minor shoulder soreness. RB Donovan Marcus (92 rushing yards, 3 TDs) is healthy.

Mercyhurst: QB Adam Urena (935 passing yards, 6 TDs, 4 INTs) cleared to play. WR Dylan Evans (301 receiving yards, 3 TDs) is probable. RB Brian Trobel (216 rushing yards, 4 TDs) is healthy.

Key Player Matchups

Brady Olson (CCSU QB) vs. Mercyhurst Secondary: Olson’s efficiency (53.4% completion, 0 INTs) faces a defense allowing just 166 passing YPG (top 10 nationally).

Adam Urena (Mercyhurst QB) vs. CCSU Pass Defense: Urena averages 311.7 passing YPG, but CCSU allows 221.8 passing YPG.

Donovan Marcus (CCSU RB) vs. Mercyhurst Front Seven: Marcus faces a defense surrendering 176 rushing YPG.

Dylan Evans (Mercyhurst WR) vs. CCSU Coverage: Evans leads Mercyhurst with 100.3 receiving YPG.

Recent Team Forms

Central Connecticut: Offense averages 26.6 PPG, defense allows 22.1 PPG. Won 4 of last 6, including victories over Stonehill and Duquesne.

Mercyhurst: Offense averages 17.9 PPG, defense allows 23.8 PPG. Won 3 of last 5, including wins over Robert Morris and Saint Francis.

Series History

Series History: CCSU defeated Mercyhurst 38–20 in 2024, holding a 1–0 all-time series lead.

Betting Trends

CCSU is 5–2 when scoring 24+ points.

Mercyhurst is 1–1 when scoring more than 22 points.

CCSU has covered in 4 of last 6 games.

Historical Betting Results

Last meeting (2024): CCSU won 38–20, covering the spread.

Totals: That game went OVER, reflecting CCSU’s offensive efficiency.

Final Score Projection: Central Connecticut 31, Mercyhurst 17.

Game Odds

Mercyhurst Lakers                                           47.5

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils     – 10.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 21, 2025

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