Game Overview
Matchup: King’s College Monarchs (0‑0) vs. Wilkes University Colonels (0‑0)
Date & Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025 – Kickoff 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Schmidt Stadium, 301 S. River Street, Edwardsville, PA 18704
Surface: FieldTurf
Broadcast: Local/stream via Wilkes & King’s athletics sites
Weather Report (Edwardsville, PA – Kickoff)
Conditions: Clear skies, mild evening
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, dipping into the mid‑60s by the 4th quarter
Wind: ~5–7 mph from the northwest — minimal impact on passing/kicking
Precipitation:
Injury Report
King’s College: No major injuries reported entering opener
Wilkes University: No major injuries reported entering opener
Recent Team Form (End of 2024)
King’s – Last 5 Games
L 13–33 @ Salisbury (NCAA)
W 32–29 vs Ursinus
W 33–21 vs Stevenson
W 41–6 @ Albright
W 14–6 vs Delaware Valley
Wilkes – Last 5 Games
W 47–28 vs Moravian
W 40–15 @ Catholic
L 21–48 vs Susquehanna
W 69–24 @ Keystone
W 53–28 vs Lycoming
Key Player Matchups
QB Russell Minor‑Shaw (King’s) vs. Wilkes Secondary
2024 Mayor’s Cup MVP for King’s despite loss: 28/35, 255 YDS, 3 TD, plus 70 rush yards and a rushing TD.
Wilkes’ defensive backs must limit his dual‑threat ability and deep‑ball accuracy.
QB Xavier Powell (Wilkes) vs. King’s Pass Rush
2024 Mayor’s Cup MVP for Wilkes: 11/18, 283 YDS, 4 TD, plus 65 rush yards and a rushing TD.
King’s front seven must generate pressure without over‑committing and allowing scrambles.
RB Elijah Jules (Wilkes) vs. King’s Linebackers
84 rush yards and a TD in 2024 meeting; also led team in receiving yards (66).
King’s linebackers must contain him in both run and pass game.
WR Danny Scudero (King’s) vs. Wilkes Corners
Deep threat who can stretch the field; Wilkes must avoid giving up explosive plays.
Series History
All-Time: Wilkes leads 13–8 since 2003
Mayor’s Cup Era (since 1996): Wilkes leads 17–11
Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 – Wilkes 43, King’s 28 (at King’s)
Recent Trend: Teams have split last 4 meetings; Wilkes snapped King’s 2‑game win streak in 2024.
Largest Margin of Victory: King’s 45–0 (2018)
Smallest Margin of Victory: King’s 27–23 (2023)
Betting Trends
King’s
3–2 ATS in last 5 games of 2024
Over in 3 of last 5 games
2–2 ATS in last 4 Mayor’s Cup games
Wilkes
4–1 ATS in last 5 games of 2024
Over in 4 of last 5 games
3–1 ATS in last 4 Mayor’s Cup games
Head‑to‑Head
Over has hit in 3 of last 4 meetings
Average combined points last 4 games: 64.0
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
Both QBs are proven playmakers in this rivalry; each accounted for 4+ TDs in 2024 meeting.
Defenses struggled to contain big plays last year; combined 71 points scored in 2024.
Wilkes’ home‑field advantage at Schmidt Stadium and returning offensive core.
Game Odds
King’s College Monarchs 54.5
Wilkes U Colonels – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025
