Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM ET (1:00 PM CT)
Venue: Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium, Hillsdale, Michigan (Capacity ~8,500, turf surface)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Hillsdale Chargers Network
Special Note: Hillsdale’s Homecoming, including a ceremony honoring the 40th anniversary of the 1985 NAIA National Championship team
Weather Forecast (Hillsdale, MI)
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light winds (5–8 mph)
Precipitation:
Impact: Perfect fall football weather; no disruptions expected
Injury Report (Projected)
(Note: D-II programs rarely release official injury reports; this is based on recent availability trends)
Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers:
QB Harrison Burch (RS freshman) – healthy, starting all 3 games
RB Emmanuel McRae – questionable (ankle)
WR Camron Brogan – probable (hamstring)
Hillsdale Chargers:
RB Ben Ngishu – healthy, breakout 142-yard game vs Ashland
OL depth thin after Week 2 injury
Defense fully intact
Key Player Matchups
Harrison Burch (KWC QB) vs. Hillsdale Secondary
Burch has shown promise, ranking among G-MAC leaders in passing yards, but turnovers (4 INTs in 3 games) have stalled drives. Hillsdale’s DBs will look to capitalize.
Ben Ngishu (Hillsdale RB) vs. KWC Front Seven
Ngishu rushed for 142 yards and a TD last week, accounting for 75% of Hillsdale’s offense. Kentucky Wesleyan’s defense has allowed 35.7 PPG, so containing him is critical.
Turnover Battle
KWC has forced 7 turnovers in 3 games but also committed 9 themselves. Hillsdale’s ability to protect the ball could decide the game.
Recent Team Form
Kentucky Wesleyan (0–3, 0–1 G-MAC):
L vs Savannah State (45–19)
L @ Lane (31–27)
L vs Quincy (30–27)
Strength: Passing attack (2nd in G-MAC in passing yards per game)
Weakness: Rushing offense (last in G-MAC, 30.7 YPG) and turnovers
Hillsdale (1–2, 0–1 G-MAC):
W vs Michigan Tech (28–21)
L @ Ashland (26–9)
L vs Indianapolis (31–17)
Strength: Emerging ground game with Ngishu, opportunistic defense
Weakness: Pass protection (5 sacks allowed vs Ashland)
Conference vs. Conference
Both teams are G-MAC rivals.
Hillsdale: A traditional G-MAC contender, trying to avoid an 0–2 conference start.
Kentucky Wesleyan: Still searching for its first win of 2025, looking to upset on the road.
Series History
All-time series: Hillsdale leads 6–1
Recent meetings:
2024: Hillsdale 41, Kentucky Wesleyan 7
2023: Hillsdale 44, Kentucky Wesleyan 14
Trend: Hillsdale has won 6 straight, all by 19+ points.
Betting Trends:
Hillsdale is 2–1 ATS this season (modeled).
Kentucky Wesleyan is 0–3 ATS this season.
Hillsdale games have gone Under in 2 of 3 due to defensive play.
KWC games have gone Over in 2 of 3 due to defensive struggles.
Historical Betting Results (Modeled)
2024: Hillsdale -10.5 (covered, won 41–7)
2023: Hillsdale -12.5 (covered, won 44–14)
2022: Hillsdale -9.5 (covered, won 35–14)
2021: Hillsdale -7.5 (covered, won 31–10)
Game Odds
Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers 51.5
Hillsdale Chargers – 14
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
