Venue, Date & Time
Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Leckonby Stadium, Canton, New York
Surface: Natural Grass
Broadcast: St. Lawrence Athletics Network / school streaming platforms
Weather Forecast (Canton, NY – Kickoff)
Conditions: Clear skies under the lights
Temperature: ~72°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling into the mid‑60s by the 4th quarter
Wind: Light, 3–5 mph from the northwest
Precipitation: 0% chance — no weather‑driven impact expected
Impact: Ideal early‑season conditions; no significant effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
(As of mid‑week; subject to change)
Norwich
No major injuries reported entering opener.
Depth chart intact from preseason camp.
St. Lawrence
No significant injuries reported; full roster expected for Week 1.
Key returners healthy, including captains WR Shea Goodwin, LB Ryan Surhoff, and LB Savino Morelli.
2024 Postseason:
Neither team qualified for the NCAA playoffs.
Norwich finished .500 with a strong home record.
St. Lawrence struggled in Liberty League play but showed defensive promise late in the season.
Recent Team Form (Last 5 Games of 2024)
Norwich
W 28–14 vs. Coast Guard
L 35–21 @ Merchant Marine
W 31–17 vs. Catholic
L 42–20 @ Springfield
W 24–21 vs. Maine Maritime
St. Lawrence
L 28–14 @ Hobart
W 21–17 vs. Rochester
L 35–10 @ Ithaca
L 27–20 vs. Union (NY)
W 17–14 @ Buffalo State
Key Player Matchups
Norwich Offense vs. St. Lawrence Defense
Norwich will look to establish balance early; their QB play will be tested by a Saints defense led by Surhoff (63 tackles, 9 TFL in 2024) and Morelli (team‑high 68 tackles). St. Lawrence’s front seven must contain the run to force Norwich into predictable passing downs.
St. Lawrence Offense vs. Norwich Defense
QB Will Lederman returns for SLU, bringing dual‑threat ability (313 rush yards, 7 pass TDs in 2024).
WR Shea Goodwin (29 catches, 319 yards) and WR Nicholas Huhtala will be primary targets.
Norwich’s secondary will need to limit explosive plays and keep Lederman in the pocket.
Special Teams Edge
SLU K Clayton Fogler was perfect on FGs last year (7‑for‑7) and could be a difference‑maker in a close game. Norwich’s coverage units must prevent long returns in a rivalry atmosphere.
Series History
All‑Time: St. Lawrence leads 6–5
Last Meeting: Sept. 6, 2024 – St. Lawrence 14, Norwich 7 (in Northfield, VT)
Trend: The Hoffman Cup has been decided by 10 points or fewer in 4 of the last 5 meetings.
Notable: SLU has won 3 straight in the series.
Betting Trends (Modelled)
St. Lawrence
3–0 SU vs. Norwich since 2022.
Under has hit in 4 of last 5 Hoffman Cup games.
2–3 SU in last 5 games of 2024.
Norwich
3–2 SU in last 5 games of 2024.
2–1 ATS (modelled) as an underdog last season.
Averaged 26.0 PPG in wins, 14.0 PPG in losses.
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
SLU’s home‑field advantage under the lights.
Norwich’s improved offensive balance vs. SLU’s experienced defense.
Historical trend toward low‑scoring, one‑score games in this rivalry.
Game Odds
Norwich Cadets 43.5
St. Lawrence Saints – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, September 4, 2025
