D3-CFB Game Preview: Middlebury Panthers (0-0) vs. Wesleyan (CT) Cardinals (0-0)

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Venue & Game Details

Kickoff: 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET

Venue: Corwin Stadium at Andrus Field, Middletown, Connecticut

Broadcast: Wesleyan Athletics live stream; live stats via both schools’ athletics sites

Weather Forecast (Middletown, CT)

Kickoff Temp: ~67°F (19°C)

Conditions: Partly sunny, light northwest wind (5–7 mph)

Impact: Ideal early-fall football weather — minimal effect on passing or kicking; both teams should be able to run their full offensive schemes.

Injury Report

(NESCAC programs release limited public injury data; statuses often confirmed on game day)

Middlebury Panthers:

No confirmed public injuries; returning key offensive leaders including QB Brian Moran, RB Connor McClellan, WR Mike Ahonen, and WR Jeremy Kiefer.

Wesleyan Cardinals:

No confirmed public injuries; expected to return multiple starters from a 2024 squad that closed the season on a five-game win streak.

Recent Form (Last 5 Games of 2024)

Middlebury: L-W-L-W-W — Notable wins over Trinity (24–21) and Williams (32–29 OT).
Wesleyan: W-W-W-W-W — Closed season with wins over Trinity, Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, and Colby.

Series History

All-Time: Historically competitive; Wesleyan won the last meeting in 2024, 21–9, in Middlebury.

Trend: Home team has won 3 of the last 4 meetings; games often decided by one or two scores.

Key Player Matchups

QB Battle:

Middlebury: Brian Moran — 1,978 passing yards, 16 TDs in 2024; second in NESCAC in TD passes.

Wesleyan: Veteran QB with balanced passing/rushing threat; led multiple late-game drives in 2024 wins.

Skill Positions:

Middlebury RB Connor McClellan — 430 rushing yards, 7 TDs in 2024; key in red-zone efficiency.

Wesleyan WR1 vs. Middlebury secondary — vertical threat could stretch the field early.

Defensive Spotlight:

Middlebury LB Matt Shaw — 60 tackles, 9 TFL in 2024.

Wesleyan pass rush vs. Middlebury OL — pressure could disrupt Moran’s rhythm.

Betting Trends (Historical/Model-Based)

Wesleyan is 8-2 in last 10 home games (straight up).

Middlebury is 4-1 ATS in last 5 games decided by 7 points or fewer (model-based).

Under has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings between these teams.

Game Odds

Middlebury Panthers                     44.5

Wesleyan (CT) Cardinals               – 4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025