D2-CFB Game Preview: Walsh Cavaliers (2-0) vs. Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (0-2)

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Venue: Steele Stadium, Owensboro, Kentucky (home of the Panthers)

Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET

Competition: Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) opener for both teams

Weather Forecast (Owensboro, KY)

Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm afternoon

Temperature: ~82°F (28°C) at kickoff, cooling to 76°F (24°C) by the fourth quarter

Winds: 6–10 mph from the southwest

Precipitation:

Impact: Classic September football weather; no disruptions expected

Injury Report

Walsh Cavaliers:

QB Hayden Wickard (ankle soreness) – Probable

RB Jake Gill (hamstring) – Questionable

LB1 (shoulder) – Out

Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers:

WR2 (groin) – Game-time decision

DB1 (concussion protocol) – Out

OL starter (knee) – Probable

Key Player Matchups

QB Hayden Wickard (Walsh) vs. KWC Secondary – Wickard accounted for 4 TDs (3 passing, 1 rushing) in the win over Wheeling; Panthers’ DBs must contain his dual-threat ability.

RB Jake Gill (Walsh) vs. KWC Front Seven – Gill posted 163 total yards vs. Wheeling; if healthy, he’s a game-changer.

WRs Austin Knowles & Trey Martin (Walsh) vs. KWC Corners – Both topped 100 yards receiving last game; Panthers must avoid giving up explosive plays.

KWC QB1 vs. Walsh Pass Rush – Panthers’ offense has struggled early (21 points vs. William Jewell); Walsh’s defensive front could dictate tempo.

Series History

All-Time Meetings: Walsh leads the series.

Most Recent: Walsh defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 54-10 in 2024.

Trend: Cavaliers have dominated the matchup in recent years, including multiple blowouts.

Betting Trends

Walsh is 6-2 ATS in last 8 G-MAC games.

Kentucky Wesleyan is 1-7 ATS in last 8 overall.

The Over has hit in 5 of Walsh’s last 7 games.

Walsh is 4-0 SU in last 4 vs. KWC.

Historical Betting Results

2024: Walsh -10.5, won 54-10 → Cover, Over

2023: Walsh -7.5, won 35-14 → Cover, Under

2022: Walsh -6.5, won 28-17 → Cover, Under

Game Odds

Walsh Cavaliers                                                – 14.5

Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers                     52.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025