Venue & Event Details
Location: Bishop D’Arcy Stadium, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST
Event: NAIA Football Championship Series – First Round
Weather Forecast
Temperature: 44°F (7°C) at kickoff, dropping into upper 30s by evening
Conditions: Overcast skies, 12–18 mph winds from the west
Impact: Passing games may be challenged; run-heavy offenses and special teams could decide momentum
Injury Report
Evangel Valor: RB depth intact; WR rotation slightly thinned after Week 11, but starters remain healthy. QB play stable with no reported injuries.
Saint Francis Cougars: LB rotation missing one starter (ankle sprain, doubtful). RB committee healthy; WR corps fully available.
Key Player Matchups
QB for Evangel (dual-threat efficiency) vs Saint Francis Secondary: Evangel’s QB has balanced passing and rushing stats, but must handle wind conditions against a disciplined MSFA defense.
RB tandem (Saint Francis) vs Evangel Front Seven: Cougars average 180+ rushing yards per game; Valor must contain the ground attack to avoid long drives.
WR1 Evangel vs CB1 Saint Francis: Evangel’s deep-threat receiver could stretch the field, but Saint Francis’ top corner has multiple INTs this season.
Recent Team Forms
Evangel Valor: Closed season with five straight wins, including a 51–0 rout of Bethel (KS). Defense allowed just 14 points combined in last three games.
Saint Francis Cougars: Won four of last five, including a 28–21 victory over Marian. Offense averaging 31 points per game, defense opportunistic with turnovers.
Series History
First-ever postseason meeting between Evangel and Saint Francis.
Programs have limited head-to-head history, making this matchup fresh and unpredictable.
Betting Trends
Evangel is 6–2 ATS in last 8 games.
Saint Francis is 5–1 ATS in last 6 home playoff games.
Unders have hit in 4 of last 6 NAIA playoff games played in Indiana.
Historical Betting Results
NAIA playoff games in Fort Wayne often trend toward defensive battles, with totals under 50 points.
MSFA teams are 8–4 in first-round playoff games over the past decade.
Prediction: Saint Francis (IN) 27 – Evangel (MO) 21
GAME ODDS
Evangel (MO) Valor 46.5
Saint Francis (IN) Cougars – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 21, 2025
