CIS-CFB Game Preview: Waterloo Warriors (2-5) vs. McMaster Marauders (2-4)

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Venue & Game Information

  • Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET
  • Location: Ron Joyce Stadium, Hamilton, Ontario
  • Capacity: ~6,000
  • Broadcast: OUA.tv / CHCH Hamilton

Weather Forecast (Hamilton, ON)

  • Temperature: ~59°F (15°C) at kickoff, dropping to ~54°F by 4th quarter
  • Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a 25% chance of light rain showers
  • Wind: 10–12 mph, swirling winds off Lake Ontario
  • Impact: Passing/kicking could be affected by wind gusts; ground game may be emphasized

Injury Report

  • Waterloo Warriors:
    • QB Nick Orr – healthy, expected starter
    • RB Tre Ford Jr. – probable (minor hamstring tightness)
    • OL depth thin, but starters available
  • McMaster Marauders:
  • QB Keegan Hall – healthy, expected starter
  • WR Tommy Nield – questionable (ankle)
  • LB rotation intact, no major defensive injuries

Key Player Matchups

  • Quarterbacks:
    • Nick Orr (Waterloo) – 1,245 passing yards, 9 TD, 6 INT; mobile QB who can extend plays.
    • Keegan Hall (McMaster) – 1,112 passing yards, 8 TD, 4 INT; more of a pocket passer with strong accuracy.
  • Running Backs:
    • Tre Ford Jr. (Waterloo) – 476 rushing yards, 4 TD; explosive runner, key to Warriors’ offense.
    • Jordan Lyons (McMaster) – 398 rushing yards, 3 TD; physical back who thrives in short-yardage.
  • Receivers:
    • Waterloo: Ethan Jordan (team leader with 412 yards, 3 TD).
    • McMaster: Tommy Nield (if healthy, 365 yards, 2 TD) – otherwise, look for secondary options like Justice Allin.
  • Defensive Playmakers:
  • Waterloo: LB Malcolm Thompson – 48 tackles, 2 INT.
  • McMaster: DB Josh Cumberbatch – 3 INT, lockdown corner.

Recent Team Form

  • Waterloo Warriors (2–5):
    • Last 3 games: Lost to Western (45–17), beat York (31–14), lost to Guelph (28–21).
    • Strength: Dual-threat QB play, opportunistic secondary.
    • Weakness: Inconsistent offensive line, struggles against top defenses.
  • McMaster Marauders (2–4):
  • Last 3 games: Lost to Laurier (34–20), beat Toronto (27–10), lost to Ottawa (30–24).
  • Strength: Balanced offense, strong home-field play.
  • Weakness: Defensive lapses in 2nd half, red-zone inefficiency.

Series History

  • All-time series: McMaster leads 21–8.
  • Recent meetings:
  • 2024: McMaster 28, Waterloo 17
  • 2023: McMaster 31, Waterloo 14
  • McMaster has won 6 of the last 7 matchups.

Betting Trends

  • Waterloo:
    • 2-5 ATS this season.
    • 1-3 ATS on the road.
    • 4 of last 6 games have gone Under.
  • McMaster:
  • 3-3 ATS this season.
  • 2-1 ATS at home.
  • 3 of last 5 games have gone Over.

Historical Betting Results

  • Waterloo: Struggles ATS against McMaster, covering only 2 of last 7 meetings.
  • McMaster: Strong at home, covering 4 of last 6 at Ron Joyce Stadium.
  • Totals: Matchups between these teams have leaned Under in 4 of last 6 games.

Game Odds

Waterloo Warriors                          49.5

McMaster Marauders                    – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, October 9, 2025