D3-CFB Game Preview: Buffalo State Bengals (0-3) vs. Hilbert Hawks (0-3)

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Venue & Logistics

Location: Hilbert College – Hamburg, New York
(Home games are played at Saint Francis High School, 4129 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg, NY)

Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT)

Conference: Liberty League matchup (both Buffalo State and Hilbert are Liberty League members in 2025)

Weather Forecast (Hamburg, NY)

Temperature: ~66°F (19°C) at kickoff

Conditions: Partly cloudy skies, light winds (5–7 mph)

Precipitation: ~20% chance of scattered showers

Impact: Mild conditions, minimal weather-related disruptions expected

Injury Report (as of latest updates)

Buffalo State Bengals: No major reported injuries; offensive line depth remains a concern after early-season struggles

Hilbert Hawks: Several young starters are healthy, but roster depth is thin; no confirmed long-term absences
(Note: Division III programs often release limited injury details, so official confirmations may be sparse.)

Key Player Matchups

Quarterback Play:

Buffalo State: Still searching for consistency after a rough 0–3 start; QB play has been turnover-prone.

Hilbert: Led by captain Brody Hopkins, a two-year starter with 902 career passing yards and 4 TDs.

Skill Positions:

Buffalo State: Offense has shown flashes, scoring 27 vs. Hartwick but struggling against stronger defenses.

Hilbert: WR Bryce Robinson (474 career receiving yards, 185 rushing yards, 512 return yards) is a versatile threat.

Running Game:

Buffalo State: Inconsistent ground attack, averaging under 100 yards per game in September.

Hilbert: RB Mike Hanlon (489 rushing yards, 3 TDs in 2024) is the offensive focal point.

Defensive Edge:

Buffalo State: Defense has been leaky, conceding 41 to Brockport and 56 to Alfred State.

Hilbert: LB Scotty Winchell (50 tackles in 2024) anchors a defense that returns starters at all levels.

Recent Team Form

Buffalo State Bengals (0–3 in 2025)

L 0–41 vs. Brockport (Sept 4)

L 27–29 vs. Hartwick (Sept 13)

L 20–56 @ Alfred State (Sept 20)

Struggles: Defensive breakdowns, inconsistent QB play

Hilbert Hawks (0–3 in 2025)

L 0–28 @ Saint Vincent (Sept 6)

L 14–49 vs. Alfred State (Sept 13)

L 0–36 vs. Ithaca (Sept 20)

Struggles: Offensive stagnation, shut out twice in three games

Series History

All-time head-to-head: Buffalo State has dominated recent meetings

2024: Buffalo State 41 – 7 Hilbert

2023: Buffalo State 44 – 12 Hilbert

Trend: Buffalo State has won both prior meetings by wide margins

Betting Trends

Buffalo State is 0–3 ATS (against the spread) in 2025

Hilbert is 0–3 ATS this season

The Over has hit in 2 of Buffalo State’s 3 games

Hilbert has failed to score more than 14 points in any 2025 game

Historical Betting Results

2024: Buffalo State (-17.5) covered in a 41–7 win (Total: Under 52.5)

2023: Buffalo State (-20.5) covered in a 44–12 win (Total: Over 49.5)

Totals: Split results – one Over, one Under in the last two years

Game Odds

Buffalo State Bengals                     – 14.5

Hilbert Hawks                                    47.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025