Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM CDT
Venue: Ward Field, Bourbonnais, Illinois
Conference Context: Both teams compete in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League. ONU is pushing for a league title run, while Defiance is looking to climb back to .500 and stay in postseason contention.
Weather Forecast (Bourbonnais, IL)
Temperature: 66°F at kickoff, rising to 70°F by mid-afternoon
Conditions: Mostly sunny with scattered clouds
Winds: 6–9 mph from the west
Impact: Ideal football weather; minimal effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report (Projected)
(NAIA/MSFA programs don’t always release official reports; based on recent availability trends)
Defiance Yellow Jackets:
QB1 probable (ankle) – limited mobility last week but expected to start
Starting LB out (knee) – defense will rotate younger players
Olivet Nazarene Tigers:
WR2 questionable (hamstring) – game-time decision
Starting safety probable (shoulder) – expected to play with limited reps
Key Player Matchups
Defiance QB vs. ONU Secondary
Defiance’s QB has thrown for 8 TDs but 6 INTs this season.
ONU’s secondary has forced 7 turnovers in 4 games—ball security will be critical.
ONU RB1 vs. Defiance Front Seven
ONU’s lead back is averaging 110 yards per game.
Defiance has allowed 180+ rushing yards in 3 of 5 games.
Special Teams Edge
Defiance kicker is 5-for-6 on FGs this season.
ONU has a dangerous return unit, including a KR TD earlier this year.
Recent Team Form
Defiance (2–3):
W vs. Judson (40–20)
L vs. Marian (69–14)
L vs. Saint Francis (IN) (37–34)
W vs. St. Francis (IL) (28–21)
L vs. Saint Xavier (31–10)
Trend: Competitive in spurts, but defense has struggled against top-tier MSFA opponents.
Olivet Nazarene (3–1):
W vs. Taylor (48–42)
W vs. Madonna (46–13)
L vs. Indiana Wesleyan (28–27)
W vs. Siena Heights (37–29)
Trend: Explosive offense averaging 39.5 PPG; only loss came by 1 point to a nationally ranked IWU squad.
Team Records & Conference Context
Defiance: 2–3 overall, 0–1 MSFA Midwest
Olivet Nazarene: 3–1 overall, 1–0 MSFA Midwest
ONU is in the hunt for a league title, while Defiance is trying to avoid falling into the lower tier of the standings.
Series History
All-Time Series: Olivet Nazarene leads 4–1
Last Meeting (2024): ONU defeated Defiance 42–17 in Defiance, OH
Trend: ONU has won 4 straight in the series, all by double digits.
Betting Trends:
Defiance is 2–3 ATS this season.
ONU is 3–1 ATS, covering in all 3 wins.
The Over has hit in 3 of ONU’s 4 games.
ONU is 4–0 ATS in last 4 vs. Defiance.
Historical Betting Results:
ONU has covered the spread in 4 straight meetings.
Average margin of victory in last 3: ONU +18.
Projected Final Score: Olivet Nazarene 38, Defiance 20
Game Odds
Defiance College Yellow Jackets 56
Olivet Nazarene Tigers – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025
