Venue & Game Details
Location: Klas Field – St. Paul, Minnesota
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: Hamline Pipers Sports Network (video), Crown College Athletics Radio (audio), live stats via both schools’ athletics sites
Capacity: ~3,500
Weather Forecast (St. Paul, MN – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm
Temperature: ~77°F (25°C) at kickoff, rising to around 80°F by the second half
Wind: SSW at 6–9 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Ideal early‑season football weather; light wind unlikely to affect passing or kicking
Injury Report
Crown
No major preseason injuries reported.
QB Zach Brown returns after throwing for 170 yards and 2 TDs in last year’s meeting but also 2 INTs.
WR Jakari Hunnecook (TD catch vs. Hamline in 2024) healthy.
WR Michael Downs (TD catch vs. Hamline in 2024) available.
OL returns three starters.
Hamline
No significant absences reported.
QB Alejandro Villanueva back after torching Crown for 353 yards and 5 TDs in 2024.
WR Dawson Schaffer (4 TD catches vs. Crown last year) healthy.
WR Nicholas Vasko (TD catch in 2024 opener) available.
Defense anchored by LB Ethan Yost.
Team Records & 2024 Recap
Crown: 2‑8 overall, UMAC; averaged 17.4 PPG, allowed 33.9 PPG.
Hamline: 3‑7 overall, MIAC; averaged 21.8 PPG, allowed 36.4 PPG.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Crown
L vs. Greenville 0‑29
L @ Martin Luther 0‑13
L vs. Minnesota Morris 6‑27
L vs. Northwestern (MN) 10‑24
W @ Westminster (MO) 30‑13
Hamline
L vs. St. Scholastica 28‑42
W @ Macalester 37‑35
L vs. Bethel (MN) 0‑70
L @ Concordia‑Moorhead 7‑41
L @ Augsburg 27‑37
Key Player Matchups
QB Zach Brown (CRO) vs. Hamline Secondary
Brown must avoid turnovers after throwing 2 INTs in 2024; Hamline’s DBs feasted on mistakes last year.
WR Jakari Hunnecook & Michael Downs (CRO) vs. Hamline CBs
Both scored in last year’s meeting; need to win contested catches to keep pace.
QB Alejandro Villanueva (HAM) vs. Crown Pass Defense
Villanueva’s 5‑TD performance in 2024 was the difference; Crown must generate pressure to disrupt timing.
WR Dawson Schaffer (HAM) vs. Crown CB2
Schaffer’s speed and route running created multiple explosive plays last year, including a 94‑yard TD.
Special Teams
Crown’s punt coverage must improve after allowing favorable field position in 2024.
Series History
All-Time: Hamline leads 6‑0
First Meeting: Sept. 3, 2016 — Hamline 29, Crown 9
Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 — Hamline 35, Crown 14 in St. Bonifacius, MN
Hamline led 35‑0 after two quarters; Villanueva threw 5 TDs, Schaffer caught 4.
Average Margin: Hamline +23.8 points
Closest Game: 2021 — Hamline 54, Crown 38
Betting Trends
Crown: 2‑8 ATS in last 10; OVER in 6 of last 8.
Hamline: 4‑6 ATS in last 10; OVER in 5 of last 7.
Head-to-Head: Hamline has covered in 5 of last 6 meetings; OVER hit in 4 of last 6.
Game Odds
Crown Polars 54.5
Hamline Pipers – 14
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
