The third round of the 2025 NCAA Division III football playoffs brings an intriguing Midwest showdown between the No. 6-seeded Wheaton (IL) Thunder (12-1, CCIW champions) and the surging DePauw Tigers (10-1, NCAC champions). Set for Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT, this matchup at Wheaton’s home field pits a high-octane offensive powerhouse against a battle-tested underdog coming off a gritty road upset. Both teams earned byes in the first round and advanced via dominant second-round wins, but Wheaton’s home-field edge and explosive attack make them the team to beat. The winner punches a ticket to the quarterfinals, eyeing a potential path to the Stagg Bowl in Allison, IA, on December 20.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Memorial Field, Wheaton, Illinois (Capacity: 4,500). This intimate, grass-surface venue on the Wheaton College campus has been a fortress for the Thunder, who posted a perfect 6-0 home record this season, outscoring opponents 280-98 (46.7-16.3 PPG). Built in 1893 and renovated in 2018, it features a scenic backdrop with campus buildings and is known for its passionate student section, the “Thunder Zone,” which creates a wall of noise despite the smaller size.
Kickoff: 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET).
Broadcast/Stream: Live on ESPN+ with local radio on WETN 88.1 FM (Wheaton) and WGRE 91.5 FM (DePauw). Pre-game analysis begins at 11:00 AM CT on both networks.
Weather Forecast
Early December in suburban Chicago often means brisk, variable conditions, and models for Wheaton point to a chilly but playable afternoon favoring a run-heavy game. Based on long-range forecasts from AccuWeather and the National Weather Service (as of December 1, 2025):
High: 32°F (0°C).
Low: 22°F (-6°C).
Conditions: Partly cloudy with light winds from the north at 8-12 mph. Chance of precipitation: 20% (light flurries possible late, but no accumulation expected). Feels-like temps around 20°F could affect ball handling and deep passes, but dry grass should prevent major footing issues. Bundle up—Thunder fans’ blue-and-gold scarves will be out in force.
Injury Report
Both squads are largely intact heading into the third round, with no season-ending injuries reported post-second round. Updates from team sites and midweek press conferences (as of December 1, 2025):
Wheaton (IL) Thunder:
Out: None significant; the team avoided major hits in their 76-14 rout of Crown.
Questionable: LB Jake Goldberg (shoulder; limited in Tuesday’s practice but optimistic per coach Quincy Wright).
Probable: All key starters, including QB Ryan Beyers (full participation after a minor wrist wrap last week).
DePauw Tigers:
Out: None; the defense that limited Wisconsin-Whitewater to 23 points is fully operational.
Questionable: WR Robby Ballentine (ankle tweak from the second-round pick-six recovery; day-to-day but practiced Wednesday).
Probable: QB Scott Ballentine (cleared after throwing 2 TDs in snowy conditions vs. Whitewater) and RB Caden Whitehead (full go post-63-yard rushing effort). Coaches Wright (Wheaton) and Chris Dietz (DePauw) both highlighted depth as a strength, with backups proving reliable in recent blowouts.
Key Player Matchups
Wheaton’s explosive passing game (top-5 nationally at 285 yds/game) will test DePauw’s opportunistic secondary, while the Tigers’ balanced attack seeks to exploit gaps in the Thunder’s stout front seven. Spotlight battles:
| Matchup | Wheaton Player | DePauw Player | Why It Matters |
| QB vs. Pass Rush | Ryan Beyers (Sr., QB): 2,450 pass yds, 28 TDs, 65% comp.; 450 rush yds, 5 TDs | Chris Green (So., DE): 12 sacks, 18 TFL, 45 tackles | Beyers’ quick release and mobility (4 TD runs in playoffs) vs. Green’s league-leading pressure (2.5 sacks in Monon Bell). If Green disrupts, DePauw could force turnovers (Tigers +7 TO margin). |
| RB vs. Front Seven | Jalen Blackmon (Jr., RB): 1,150 rush yds, 14 TDs on 165 carries (7.0 YPC) | Holt Helderman (Jr., LB): 98 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 INTs | Blackmon’s vision and speed (two 150+ yd games) tests Helderman’s run fits. DePauw allows 112 rush yds/game but bent vs. Whitewater’s ground game. |
| WR vs. Secondary | Trey Cholod (So., WR): 62 rec., 950 yds, 11 TDs | Sammy Miranda (Sr., CB): 4 INTs, 35 tackles, 2 PBUs | Cholod’s deep-threat ability (three 100+ yd games) vs. Miranda’s coverage skills (top-10 NCAC in passes defended). Wheaton’s air raid could stretch DePauw’s zone. |
| TE vs. Linebacker | Max Snygg (Jr., TE): 35 rec., 520 yds, 6 TDs | Caden Whitehead (So., LB/RB hybrid): 112 tackles, 7 TFL | Snygg’s mismatch in the seam vs. Whitehead’s versatility (63 rush yds in playoffs). DePauw’s hybrid D ranks top-15 in TE coverage efficiency. |
These clashes highlight Wheaton’s offensive versatility (42.1 PPG) against DePauw’s gritty defense (17.2 PPG allowed).
Recent Team Forms
Wheaton rides a 12-game win streak into the playoffs, while DePauw has won 10 straight after an early stumble, showcasing resilience in adverse conditions.
Wheaton (IL) Thunder: Dominant in the CCIW (7-0), the Thunder outscored foes 504-198 (42.1-16.5 PPG), with a playoff explosion underscoring their ceiling. Recent highlights:
Nov. 29 (2nd Rd): 76-14 W vs. Crown—Beyers: 320 pass yds/4 TDs; Blackmon: 140 rush yds/2 TDs; defense forced 5 TOs.
Nov. 15 (Reg. Finale): 45-21 W vs. North Central—Snapped rival’s streak with 400+ total yds.
Oct. 25: 38-17 W at Carthage—Bounced back from lone loss (to Mount Union) with balanced attack. Form: WWWWW (last 5); +25.6 point differential; 9-1 in one-score games.
DePauw Tigers: Undefeated in NCAC play (8-0) after a Week 2 loss to Susquehanna, the Tigers score 31.8 PPG while allowing 17.2, peaking with back-to-back road playoff wins. Recent surge:
Nov. 29 (2nd Rd): 26-23 W at #12 Wisconsin-Whitewater—Ballentine: 182 pass yds/2 TDs in snow; defense sealed with late INT.
Nov. 15 (Reg. Finale): 41-20 W vs. Wabash (Monon Bell)—Ballentine: 328 yds/4 TDs; held foes to 32 rush yds.
Nov. 1: 35-14 W at Wittenberg—Rushed for 180 yds in rain, showing adaptability.
Form: WWWWW (last 5); +14.6 point differential; 7-0 as underdogs.
Conference vs. Conference: CCIW vs. NCAC
This game contrasts the run-first, physical grind of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) with the North Coast Athletic Conference’s (NCAC) balanced, adaptive style. The CCIW, ranked No. 3 nationally in D3 rankings, produced three playoff teams this year (Wheaton, North Central, #18 North Park) and emphasizes trench warfare—Wheaton’s 220 rush yds/game and top-10 scoring defense (16.5 PPG allowed) embody this. Historically, CCIW teams hold a 65-42 edge over NCAC squads since 2010, with a +12.4 average margin.
The NCAC, climbing to No. 7 in 2025 rankings after adding John Carroll, features DePauw’s pass-heavy attack (260 yds/game) and opportunistic D. The conference sent two teams to playoffs (DePauw, #15 Wooster) and shines in versatility, but trails in non-con wins (18-12 vs. CCIW’s 25-8). Expect CCIW power to clash with NCAC cunning, potentially favoring Wheaton’s home style.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | PF/PA | National Rank (D3Football.com) |
| Wheaton (IL) Thunder | 12-1 | 7-0 (CCIW Champs) | 42.1 / 16.5 | #6 (Off: #4; Def: #10) |
| DePauw Tigers | 10-1 | 8-0 (NCAC Champs) | 31.8 / 17.2 | #15 (Off: #18; Def: #12) |
Wheaton chases its first Final Four since 2017; DePauw seeks a second straight quarterfinal appearance.
Series History
These non-conference foes have limited history, meeting just twice since 2000, with Wheaton holding a slim edge (2-0). No playoff meetings, but the Thunder’s home dominance looms large:
Oct. 22, 2022: Wheaton 35-28—Beyers’ predecessor threw for 300 yds; DePauw rallied late but fell short.
Sept. 12, 2015: Wheaton 24-17—Defensive stands sealed a low-scoring affair. Wheaton is 2-0 at home vs. DePauw; average score: 29.5-22.5. DePauw’s 2025 road form (5-0) could make it competitive.
Betting Trends
Wheaton: 8-4-1 ATS in last 13 overall; 7-2 O/U at home (high-scoring affairs). Public 68% on Thunder to cover; 6-1 ATS in playoffs historically.
DePauw: 9-2 ATS as underdogs; 5-1 O/U in road games but 3-4 ATS vs. top-10 teams. Tigers 7-0 SU in last 7 but 4-3 ATS; public 55% on DePauw ML.
Head-to-Head: Limited data, but Wheaton 2-0 ATS in series; games hit over in both (avg. total: 52 pts). Trends suggest a Thunder cover but over risk in Wheaton’s offensive showcase.
Historical Betting Results (Series Games)
| Date | Result | Spread | ATS Winner | Total (O/U) |
| Oct. 22, 2022 | Wheaton 35-28 | Wheaton -6 | Wheaton | 63 (Over 55) |
| Sept. 12, 2015 | Wheaton 24-17 | Wheaton -3.5 | Wheaton | 41 (Over 48) |
Wheaton 2-0 ATS; 2-0 Over.
Final Prediction: Wheaton 31, DePauw 20
Game Odds
Wheaton (IL) Thunder – 7.5
DePauw Tigers 50.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
