Venue & Game Details
- Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Venue: Bishop John M. D’Arcy Stadium, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Capacity: ~3,500
- Event: USF Homecoming Game
Weather Forecast (Fort Wayne, IN)
- Kickoff Temperature: ~22°C (72°F), cooling into the upper 60s by late afternoon
- Conditions: Mostly sunny with scattered clouds
- Wind: 10–14 km/h from the southwest
- Precipitation:
- Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal weather-related disruptions expected
Injury Report
- Defiance Yellow Jackets:
- QB group healthy; starter expected to play after steady early-season form.
- RB rotation intact, no major reported injuries.
- Secondary missing one rotational player (undisclosed).
- Saint Francis Cougars:
- QB group healthy; starter expected to play after narrow Week 1 loss to Campbellsville.
- WR corps intact, including top target who has averaged over 80 yards per game.
- Defensive line slightly banged up but starters expected to play.
(Note: NAIA programs release limited injury info; updates closer to kickoff may adjust this.)
Key Player Matchups
- Defiance QB vs. USF Secondary
- Defiance’s passing game has been efficient but turnover-prone.
- USF’s secondary forced multiple turnovers in their opener vs. Campbellsville.
- USF QB vs. Defiance Defensive Front
- USF’s QB threw for 200+ yards and 2 TDs in Week 1.
- Defiance’s front seven must generate pressure to disrupt his rhythm.
- Special Teams Edge
- Defiance’s kicker has been reliable from mid-range.
- USF’s return game has consistently provided strong field position.
Recent Team Form
- Defiance Yellow Jackets (1–0)
- W 28–14 @ Judson (IL) (Sept 6)
- Strengths: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense.
- Weaknesses: Inexperienced depth, especially in secondary.
- Saint Francis Cougars (0–1)
- L 28–31 vs. #20 Campbellsville (KY) (Aug 30)
- Strengths: Explosive passing game, home-field advantage.
- Weaknesses: Defense allowed late-game scoring runs.
Conference vs. Conference
- Defiance: Mid-South Conference (NAIA)
- Saint Francis: Mid-States Football Association (NAIA)
- This is a non-conference matchup, giving both programs a chance to test themselves outside league play.
Series History
- All-time series: Saint Francis leads comfortably.
- Last 5 meetings: USF has won all 5.
- 2024 season: USF defeated Defiance 42–10 in Fort Wayne.
- Trend: USF has consistently controlled the rivalry, especially at home.
Betting Trends
- Defiance:
- 1–0 ATS in 2025
- 1–4 ATS in last 5 non-conference games
- 3 of last 4 games have gone Under
- Saint Francis:
- 0–1 ATS in 2025
- 4–1 ATS in last 5 vs. Defiance
- 3 of last 4 games have gone Over
Historical Betting Results
- 2024: USF -10.5 covered in a 42–10 win (Over cashed).
- 2023: USF -7.5 covered in a 35–14 win (Under cashed).
- 2022: USF -6.5 covered in a 31–17 win (Under cashed).
Game Odds
Defiance (OH) Yellow Jackets 53
Saint Francis (IN) Cougars – 14
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
