D2-CFB Game Preview: Ashland Eagles (3-1) vs. Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (0-4)

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Venue & Game Info

Stadium: Steele Stadium (capacity ~4,000)

Location: Owensboro, Kentucky

Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+ / G‑MAC Digital Network

Weather Forecast (Owensboro, KY)

Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm fall afternoon

Temperature: ~81°F at kickoff, cooling into the low 70s by evening

Wind: 5–9 mph

Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking

Injury Report

Ashland Eagles (3–1, 2–0 G‑MAC):

QB Colin McKernan – Probable (ankle soreness)

RB Ben Ngishu – Probable (hamstring tightness)

Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (0–4, 0–2 G‑MAC):

QB Cameron Davis – Probable (shoulder soreness)

WR Jalen Reed – Questionable (knee bruise)

Key Player Matchups

QB Colin McKernan (Ashland) vs KWC Secondary

McKernan has been efficient in Ashland’s 3–1 start, with multiple TDs and strong accuracy.

RB Ben Ngishu (Ashland) vs LB Tyler Ross (KWC)

Ngishu is Ashland’s workhorse back; Ross leads KWC in tackles.

QB Cameron Davis (KWC) vs Ashland Pass Rush

Davis has struggled under pressure; Ashland’s defensive front averages multiple sacks per game.

WR Jalen Reed (KWC) vs CB Marcus Hall (Ashland)

Reed is KWC’s top target; Hall is Ashland’s best cover corner.

Recent Team Form

Ashland (3–1, 2–0 G‑MAC):

W 21–13 @ Northwood (9/27/25)

W 26–9 vs Hillsdale (9/20/25)

L 33–26 @ Indianapolis (9/13/25)

W 13–9 @ Indiana (PA) (9/4/25)

Offense: ~23.5 PPG Defense: ~18.0 PPG

Kentucky Wesleyan (0–4, 0–2 G‑MAC):

L 44–0 @ Hillsdale (9/27/25)

L 31–7 vs Walsh (9/20/25)

L 48–21 @ William Jewell (9/13/25)

L 28–7 vs West Florida (9/6/25)

Offense: ~8.8 PPG Defense: ~37.5 PPG

Series History

All‑time: Ashland leads 3–0

Recent:

2024: Ashland 44–30

2023: Ashland 56–23

2022: Ashland 41–10

Trend: Ashland has dominated the series, winning all three meetings by an average margin of 26 points.

ATS (Against the Spread):

Ashland: 3–1 ATS last 4

KWC: 0–4 ATS last 4

Historical Betting Results:

Ashland has covered in 3 straight vs KWC

KWC has failed to cover in 5 straight G‑MAC games

Projected Score: Ashland 41 – Kentucky Wesleyan 10

Game Odds

Ashland Eagles                                 – 24.5

Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers     53

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025