Venue & Game Details
Location: Ernie Chapman Stadium – Orange, California
Kickoff: 9:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. PT
Broadcast: FloCollege (video), local radio streams
Capacity: ~5,000
Weather Forecast (Orange, CA – Kickoff)
Conditions: Clear skies, warm evening
Temperature: ~76°F (24°C)
Wind: Light WSW at 4–6 mph
Precipitation: 0%
Impact: Ideal playing conditions — no weather‑related disruptions expected
Injury Report
Hardin‑Simmons
No major injuries reported from preseason camp; 16 returning starters (8 offense, 8 defense) from 2024
QB and RB rotations intact; OL depth healthy
Chapman
No significant absences; returning most of 2024’s starting skill position players
Secondary expected at full strength
Team Records & 2024 Recap
#6 Hardin‑Simmons: 10‑1 overall (American Southwest Conference champions), reached NCAA Second Round before 17‑13 loss to Mary Hardin‑Baylor
Chapman: 6‑3 overall (SCIAC runner‑up), narrowly missed NCAA playoff berth
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Hardin‑Simmons
L vs. Mary Hardin‑Baylor 17‑13 (NCAA Second Round)
W @ East Texas Baptist 45‑23
W vs. Mary Hardin‑Baylor 27‑19
W vs. Howard Payne 44‑17
W vs. East Texas Baptist 38‑22
Chapman
L @ Pomona‑Pitzer 37‑34
W @ La Verne 42‑21
W vs. Claremont‑Mudd‑Scripps 9‑7
W @ Cal Lutheran 28‑18
L vs. Pomona‑Pitzer 21‑17
Key Player Matchups
QB Hardin‑Simmons vs. Chapman Secondary
HSU’s experienced signal‑caller will test a veteran defensive backfield that allowed under 200 pass yds/game in 2024.
RB1 Hardin‑Simmons vs. Chapman Front Seven
Establishing the run is key to controlling tempo; Chapman’s DL must hold gaps to avoid explosive plays.
WR1 Hardin‑Simmons vs. CB1 Chapman
Deep‑ball threat vs. Chapman’s top cover corner — could swing momentum.
QB Chapman vs. HSU Pass Rush
Chapman’s QB must get the ball out quickly against an HSU defense that thrives on sacks and TFLs.
Special Teams
Field position battle looms large; HSU’s coverage units vs. Chapman’s return game.
Series History
All-Time: Hardin‑Simmons leads 2‑0
1997: HSU 19‑14 in Abilene
1998: HSU 48‑19 in Orange
First meeting in 27 years; first HSU game in California since 2001
Betting Trends
Hardin‑Simmons: 10‑0 in last 10 season openers; 8‑2 ATS in last 10 games overall
Chapman: 4‑1 ATS in last 5 as home underdog; UNDER in 6 of last 9 home games
HSU has scored 38+ points in 7 of last 9 games; Chapman allowed 20+ in 6 of last 9
Game Odds
Hardin‑Simmons Cowboys – 17.5
Chapman Panthers 54
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
