Venue, Date & Time
Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Captain James Harvey Tomb Field at Brooks Stadium, Kings Point, New York
Surface: Natural Grass
Broadcast: School streaming platforms / local coverage
Weather Forecast (Kings Point, NY – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy
Temperature: ~83°F (28°C) at kickoff
Wind: 5–7 mph from the southwest
Precipitation:
Impact: Ideal early‑season conditions; minimal effect on passing/kicking games
Injury Report
(As of mid‑week; subject to change)
Montclair State
No major injuries reported entering opener.
Depth chart intact from preseason camp.
Merchant Marine
No significant injuries reported; full roster expected for Week 1.
2024 Postseason:
Merchant Marine: Finished 2nd in NEWMAC; did not make NCAA playoffs but posted best record since
2016.
Montclair State: Missed postseason; looking to rebound under Head Coach Mike Palazzo.
Recent Team Form (Last 5 Games of 2024)
Montclair State
L 24–13 vs. Ursinus
L 30–0 @ Johns Hopkins
W 34–14 vs. Gettysburg
L 49–20 @ Muhlenberg
W 24–0 vs. McDaniel
Merchant Marine
W 35–14 vs. Coast Guard
W 28–21 @ WPI
L 24–17 @ Springfield
W 42–7 vs. Catholic
W 31–10 @ Norwich
Key Player Matchups
Montclair State Offense vs. Merchant Marine Defense
Montclair will lean on a balanced attack, but must protect the QB against a Mariners front that allowed just 17.4 PPG in 2024.
Key for Montclair: establishing the run early to avoid obvious passing downs against an experienced secondary.
Merchant Marine Triple‑Option Offense vs. Montclair State Front Seven
USMMA’s triple‑option attack averaged over 250 rushing yards per game last season.
Montclair’s linebackers must maintain gap discipline and tackle well in space to avoid long runs.
Special Teams Edge
Merchant Marine’s disciplined special teams play can flip field position; Montclair must match in coverage and avoid miscues.
Series History
All‑Time: Montclair State leads 3–0
Last Meeting: Sept. 6, 2024 – Montclair State 24, Merchant Marine 14 (in Montclair, NJ)
Trend: Montclair has held USMMA under 20 points in all meetings.
Betting Trends (Modelled)
Merchant Marine
8–2 SU in 2024; 4–1 at home.
Averaged 31.2 PPG last season; 4–1 ATS (modelled) in last 5 games.
Montclair State
3–7 SU in 2024; 1–4 on the road.
Averaged 18.8 PPG in 2024; 2–3 ATS (modelled) in last 5 games.
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
Merchant Marine’s returning starters, home‑field advantage, and triple‑option efficiency.
Montclair’s offensive struggles against top‑tier defenses in 2024.
Early‑season conditioning and depth advantage for USMMA.
Game Odds
Montclair State Red Hawks 44.5
U.S. Merchant Marine Mariners – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, September 4, 2025
