Game Overview
Date & Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025 – Kickoff 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Memorial Field inside Harold Burry Stadium, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania (Capacity: ~4,500)
Broadcast: Westminster College TV Network (WCN), Titan Radio, Live Stats via Westminster Athletics
Weather Report (New Wilmington, PA – Kickoff)
Conditions: Clear skies, mild evening
Temperature: ~71°F (22°C) at kickoff, dipping into the mid‑60s by the 4th quarter
Wind: Light, ~5–7 mph from the northwest
Precipitation:
Impact: Ideal conditions for both passing and kicking games
Injury Report
Marietta: No major injuries reported entering opener under new head coach Tom Kaufman
Westminster: No major injuries reported; head coach Scott Benzel enters 12th season with a healthy roster
Recent Team Form (End of 2024)
Marietta – Last 5 Games
L 13–27 vs Westminster
L 35–49 @ John Carroll
L 21–28 @ Mount Union
W 52–6 vs Wilmington
W 47–7 vs Baldwin Wallace
Westminster – Last 5 Games
W 27–13 @ Marietta
L 9–36 vs Grove City
W 56–7 @ Geneva
L 20–45 @ Carnegie Mellon
W 17–14 vs Case Western
Key Player Matchups
Marietta Offense vs. Westminster Defense
QB Antwon Johnson (Marietta) — Limited 2024 reps (4/8, 41 YDS) but inherits an offense that averaged 40.5 PPG.
RB Vante’ Holdges (Marietta) — 696 YDS, 8 TD on 5.3 YPC in 2024; also a receiving threat (133 YDS, 2 TD).
LB Dylan Sleva (Westminster) — 105 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks in 2024; leader of a unit that thrives on creating turnovers.
Westminster Offense vs. Marietta Defense
QB Ty McGowan (Westminster) — 1,563 YDS, 10 TD, 3 INT in 2024; efficient passer who protects the football.
WR Brite Cannon (Westminster) — 390 YDS, 2 TD; reliable possession target.
LB Harley Hopkins (Marietta) — 98 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks in 2024; key to containing Westminster’s balanced attack.
Series History
All-Time: Westminster leads 1–0 (first meeting in 2024)
Last Meeting: Nov. 23, 2024 – Westminster 27, Marietta 13 (NCAA First Round)
Notable: Westminster’s win last year was fueled by a strong defensive effort and timely passing; Marietta was held to its second‑lowest point total of the season.
Betting Trends
Marietta
8–3 ATS in 2024 (including postseason)
Over in 6 of last 9 games
4–1 SU in last 5 road games
Westminster
6–5 ATS in 2024
Under in 3 of last 4 games
5–1 SU at home in 2024
Head-to-Head
Westminster 1–0 SU & ATS vs. Marietta (2024)
Under hit in lone meeting (40 total points vs. line ~51)
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
Both teams return key defensive leaders; early‑season timing may favor defenses.
Westminster’s home‑field advantage at Burry Stadium and continuity under Benzel.
Marietta’s offensive ceiling is high, but new head coach and QB transition could slow early output.
Game Odds
Marietta Pioneers 48.5
Westminster (PA) Titans – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025
