Kickoff: 1:30 PM ET (listed as 10:30 AM PT on ESPN’s Gamecast)
Venue: Cadet Memorial Field, New London, Connecticut (Capacity: ~4,000)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / NEWMAC Network
Weather Forecast (New London, CT)
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Partly cloudy, light winds (6–10 mph)
Impact: Excellent early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Nichols Bison (NEWMAC):
QB Michael McCourt (ankle) – Probable.
RB Jordan Reyes (hamstring) – Questionable.
LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.
Coast Guard Bears (NEWMAC):
QB Ryan Jernigan (starter, 3 TDs, 1 INT through 2 games) – Healthy.
RB Chris Thomas (knee) – Probable.
WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.
Key Player Matchups
QB Michael McCourt (Nichols) vs. Coast Guard Secondary
McCourt’s ability to extend plays and throw deep will test the Bears’ defensive backs.
RB Jordan Reyes (Nichols) vs. Coast Guard Front Seven
If active, Reyes’ downhill running could help Nichols control tempo.
QB Ryan Jernigan (Coast Guard) vs. Nichols Pass Rush
Jernigan has been efficient but must avoid turnovers against an opportunistic Bison defense.
RB Chris Thomas (Coast Guard) vs. Nichols Linebackers
Thomas’ ability to grind out yards between the tackles will be key to sustaining drives.
Recent Team Form
Nichols Bison (0–2, NEWMAC)
9/6/25: L 46–13 @ MIT
9/13/25: L 56–24 vs. Merchant Marine
Trend: Offense averaging 18.5 PPG; defense allowing 51 PPG.
Coast Guard Bears (1-1, NEWMAC)
Last 5 of 2024: W 42–21 @ Merchant Marine, L 55–37 vs. SUNY Maritime, L 38–14 vs. WPI, W 17–13 @ Norwich, L 34–28 vs. Salve Regina.
Trend: Offense averaged 27 PPG in 2024; defense inconsistent, allowing 32 PPG.
Series History
Coast Guard leads the all-time series.
Last meeting (2024): Coast Guard defeated Nichols 38–21.
Nichols’ last win in the series came in 2019.
Betting Trends
Nichols:
1–4 ATS in last 5 games.
4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.
0–5 SU in last 5 games.
Coast Guard:
2–3 ATS in last 5 games.
3 of last 5 games have gone over the total.
2–3 SU in last 5 games.
Head-to-Head: Coast Guard has covered in 3 of the last 4 meetings.
Historical Betting Results
Nichols: Struggles ATS as a road underdog; overs common due to defensive lapses.
Coast Guard: Mixed ATS at home; overs frequent when offense clicks.
NEWMAC Trends: Home favorites cover ~58% of the time in September conference play.
Game Odds
Nichols Bison 50.5
Coast Guard Bears – 10.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
