D3-CFB Game Preview: Lewis & Clark Pioneers (4-0) vs. Willamette Bearcats (1-3)

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Venue & Game Details

Location: McCulloch Stadium, Salem, OR

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. PT

Conference: Northwest Conference (NWC, Division III)

Broadcast: FloFootball / ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Salem, OR)

Kickoff Temp: ~61°F

Conditions: Partly cloudy, cool fall afternoon

Wind: NW at 6–9 mph

Impact: Minimal; excellent football weather for both passing and kicking

Injury Report

Lewis & Clark: QB rotation intact; WR top target probable (hamstring).

Willamette: QB starter healthy; RB committee intact; WR deep threat questionable (ankle).

Player Matchups

Lewis & Clark Pioneers

QB: 1,200+ yards, 11 TDs, 4 INTs.

RB: 160 YPG combined.

WR leader: 400+ yards, 5 TDs.

Defense: Allowing just 19.8 PPG; forced 10 turnovers in 5 games.

Willamette Bearcats

QB: 850+ yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs.

RB: 110 YPG combined.

WR playmaker: 280 yards, 3 TDs.

Defense: Allowing 38.6 PPG; gave up 50+ twice this season.

Key Battle: Lewis & Clark’s vertical passing attack vs. Willamette’s secondary, which has surrendered 250+ passing yards in three of five games.

Team Recent Form

Lewis & Clark

W @ Puget Sound 56-20

W vs George Fox 38-10

W @ Pomona-Pitzer 21-13

L vs Pacific Lutheran 31-28

W vs Puget Sound 58-21

Willamette

L vs Pomona-Pitzer 41-17

L vs Pacific (OR) 42-14

L @ La Verne 29-14

W vs Pacific Lutheran 31-28

L @ Lewis & Clark (2024) 35-7

Series History

All-time: Willamette leads historically, but Lewis & Clark has won 8 straight (2017–2024).

Last meeting (Nov 16, 2024): Lewis & Clark 35, Willamette 7.

Largest margin: Lewis & Clark 63-13 (2023).

Willamette’s last win: 2016 (35-21).

Betting Trends

Lewis & Clark: 4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS; 3-2 O/U.

Willamette: 1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS; 4-1 O/U.

Lewis & Clark has covered in 6 of last 8 vs Willamette.

Willamette overs have hit in 4 of 5 games this season.

Game Odds

Lewis & Clark Pioneers                 – 18

Willamette Bearcats                       53

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025