Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET)
Venue: MDU Resources Community Bowl, Bismarck, North Dakota (Capacity ~7,000, turf surface)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / NSIC Network
Special Note: This is Mary’s “Tackle Childhood Cancer & Alumni Day” game, with fundraising and community events tied in.
Weather Forecast (Bismarck, ND)
Temperature: ~69°F (21°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Partly sunny, light winds (6–10 mph)
Precipitation: ~15% chance of showers
Impact: Excellent 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)
Northern State Wolves:
QB Bart McAninch – healthy, averaging 200+ YPG passing.
WR Drayton Lehman – probable (hamstring).
LB Caden Bolte – active, among NSIC leaders in solo tackles.
University of Mary Marauders:
QB rotation intact; starter healthy after 40–9 win vs Southwest Minnesota State.
RB1 probable (shoulder).
Secondary fully intact, led by NSIC Defensive Player of the Week honoree.
Key Player Matchups
Northern QB Bart McAninch vs. Mary Secondary
McAninch has shown efficiency (127.6 passer rating). Mary’s DBs lead the NSIC in yards allowed per game (299.8 YPG).
Mary RB Committee vs. Northern Front Seven
Mary’s offense is balanced (194 rush, 203 pass YPG). Northern’s linebackers must contain the run to avoid long drives.
Special Teams: Connor Mantelli (NSU)
Mantelli is perfect on FGs this season and a strong punter. Field position could be decisive.
Recent Team Form
Northern State (2–1, 0–0 NSIC North):
W vs Concordia-St. Paul (31–10)
W vs Wayne State (26–7)
L @ Sioux Falls (42–28)
Strength: Balanced offense, improving defense.
Weakness: Secondary vulnerable to big plays.
University of Mary (2–2, 1–2 NSIC):
W vs Southwest Minnesota State (40–9)
L vs Augustana (30–7)
L @ Wayne State (42–7)
W vs Midland (28–22)
Strength: Defense leading NSIC in yards allowed.
Weakness: Inconsistent scoring against top-tier NSIC teams.
Conference vs. Conference
Both teams are NSIC North Division rivals.
Northern State: Looking to build on a strong start and contend for the division.
Mary: Seeking to climb back to .500 in league play and capitalize on homecoming energy.
Series History
All-time series: Northern State leads comfortably.
Recent meetings:
2024: Northern State 28, Mary 21
2023: Northern State 41, Mary 10
Trend: Northern has won the last several meetings, often by multiple scores.
Projected Line: Northern State -7.5 O/U 52.0
Betting Trends:
Northern is 2–1 ATS this season (modeled).
Mary is 2–2 ATS this season.
Northern games have gone Over in 2 of 3 due to offensive balance.
Mary games have gone Under in 2 of 4 due to defensive strength.
Historical Betting Results (Modeled)
2024: Northern State -6.5 (covered, won 28–21)
2023: Northern State -10.5 (covered, won 41–10)
2022: Northern State -7.5 (covered, won 35–14)
2021: Northern State -9.5 (covered, won 30–7)
Game Odds
Northern State Wolves – 7
Mary Marauders 51.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
