Venue & Game Details
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Vendetti Field, Dudley, Massachusetts (Capacity ~1,500)
Surface: FieldTurf
Broadcast: Nichols College Athletics Live Stream / Live Stats
Weather Forecast (Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Temperature: ~74°F (23°C)
Humidity: ~58%
Wind: WSW at 5–7 mph
Impact: Minimal — ideal conditions for both passing and kicking games.
Injury Report
Merchant Marine Mariners
No major injuries reported after Week 1 win over Montclair State. Starting QB, RB, and WR corps available.
Defensive starters healthy; no key absences noted.
Nichols College Bison
No significant injuries reported after Week 1 loss to MIT. QB1 and top RB cleared for opener.
Offensive line depth intact; secondary at full strength.
Key Player Matchups
Merchant Marine QB vs. Nichols Secondary — Mariners’ signal-caller was efficient in Week 1, leading a balanced attack. Nichols’ DBs surrendered multiple explosive plays to MIT and must tighten coverage.
Nichols QB vs. Merchant Marine Pass Rush — Bison QB faced heavy pressure in opener; Merchant Marine’s front seven recorded multiple sacks vs. Montclair State.
Merchant Marine RB1 vs. Nichols Front Seven — Mariners’ ground game averaged over 5.0 YPC in Week 1; Nichols allowed over 200 rushing yards to MIT.
Special Teams — Merchant Marine’s kicker was perfect on PATs and hit a 40+ yard FG in opener; Nichols’ return units could be a hidden factor if they can flip field position.
Recent Form
Merchant Marine Mariners
W 29–15 vs. Montclair State — Controlled tempo with run game and stout defense.
Finished 2024 at 7-3, averaging 28.4 PPG and allowing 18.7 PPG.
Nichols College Bison
L 13–46 @ MIT — Offense sputtered after early score; defense struggled to contain balanced attack.
Finished 2024 at 3-7, averaging 19.2 PPG and allowing 33.5 PPG.
Series History
All-time meetings: First-ever meeting between the programs.
Trend: Both teams looking to establish momentum in a new head-to-head matchup.
Betting Trends & Angles
Merchant Marine: 5-2 SU in last 7 games; 4-3 ATS (unofficial DIII tracking).
Nichols: 2-8 SU in last 10 games; 3-7 ATS.
Totals: Over has hit in 3 of last 4 Nichols games; Merchant Marine has gone Under in 4 of last 6.
Situational: Merchant Marine on the road after a home win; Nichols in home opener after a tough road loss.
Game Odds
U.S. Merchant Marine Mariners – 7.5
Nichols College Bison 50.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
