D3-CFB Game Preview: Grove City Wolverines (8-2) vs. Hanover Panthers (8-2)

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Venue & Event Details

Location: Alumni Stadium, Hanover, Indiana

Kickoff: 12:00 PM EST

Event: NCAA Division III Championship – First Round

Broadcast: ESPN+

Weather Forecast

Temperature: Mid-40s °F at kickoff, dropping into upper 30s by evening

Conditions: Cloudy skies, winds 10–12 mph

Impact: Passing efficiency may be challenged; rushing and short-yardage execution favored

Injury Report

Grove City: QB and WR corps healthy; RB rotation intact after dominant win vs Hiram (63–14).

Hanover: No major injuries reported; offense fully healthy after blowout win vs Franklin (51–18).

Key Player Matchups

Grove City QB (2,200+ yards, 20 TDs) vs Hanover Secondary: Wolverines rely on balanced passing, while Hanover’s defense has allowed under 20 points in 4 of last 5 games.

Hanover QB (2,300+ yards, 22 TDs) vs Grove City Defense: Panthers’ explosive passing attack vs Grove City defense that forced multiple turnovers in recent weeks.

RB Committee (both teams): Grove City’s ground game (1,400+ combined yards) vs Hanover’s front seven ranked top-25 nationally in rush defense.

Recent Team Forms

Grove City: Won 5 straight, including 63–14 vs Hiram (Nov. 15), 28–14 vs Case Western (Nov. 8), and 59–14 vs St. Vincent (Nov. 1).

Hanover: Won 6 straight, including 51–18 vs Franklin (Nov. 15), 49–8 vs Otterbein (Nov. 8), and 48–0 vs Bluffton (Nov. 1).

Series History

First-ever postseason meeting between Grove City and Hanover.

Programs have not met in regular season play.

Betting Trends

Grove City is 6–4 ATS this season.

Hanover is 7–3 ATS.

Overs have hit in 3 of last 5 Hanover games.

Historical Betting Results

PAC teams are 5–4 vs HCAC teams in NCAA playoffs over the past decade.

Grove City has covered in 4 of last 6 postseason games.

Hanover has covered in 5 of last 7 playoff appearances.

Prediction: Hanover 31 – Grove City 24

Game Odds

Grove City Wolverines                  52.5

Hanover Panthers                           -4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 21, 2025