Venue & Logistics
Stadium: Busey Bank Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium, Joliet, Illinois
Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM CT
Conference: Mid-States Football Association (MSFA)
Weather Forecast (Joliet, IL)
Temperature: 66°F at kickoff, cooling to 61°F by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Partly cloudy, light winds (6–8 mph)
Impact: Ideal football weather—minimal effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
Saint Francis Fighting Saints (4-1):
WR Carl Bew – Probable (ankle, expected to play; also a dangerous return man)
RB rotation healthy, with depth intact
Defense at full strength
Madonna Crusaders (1-4):
QB Nathan Patterson – Questionable (shoulder, limited practice)
QB Keel Watson IV – Likely starter if Patterson can’t go (2 TDs, 2 INTs this season)
OL depth thin after multiple early-season injuries
Key Player Matchups
Saint Francis QB vs. Madonna Secondary
The Saints’ passing game has been efficient, and Madonna has allowed over 250 passing yards per game while struggling with sacks and turnovers.
Madonna QB (Watson IV or Patterson) vs. Saint Francis Pass Rush
Madonna has been sacked 20+ times already this season. If Saint Francis’ front seven controls the line, the Crusaders will struggle to sustain drives.
Special Teams Edge
Saint Francis’ Carl Bew is one of the nation’s top return men (including a 100-yard kickoff return TD this season). Madonna’s coverage units must contain him to avoid game-breaking plays.
Recent Team Form
Saint Francis Fighting Saints (4-1, 2-0 MSFA)
Last Game: Defeated Olivet Nazarene 31–20, controlling the second half
Strength: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense (+3 turnover margin)
Weakness: Occasional slow starts in the first quarter
Madonna Crusaders (1-4, 0-2 MSFA)
Last Game: Lost 38–14 to Saint Xavier, struggling to protect the QB
Strength: Passing game shows flashes (averaging 250+ yards per game)
Weakness: Offensive line protection and turnover margin (-7 on the season)
Series History
All-Time Meetings: 1 (first meeting in 2025)
Series Record: Saint Francis leads 1–0
At Joliet: Saint Francis leads 1–0
Note: Madonna only recently earned its first-ever program win (2024) after a long losing streak, so this series is still in its infancy.
Betting Trends:
Saint Francis is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 home games
Madonna is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 overall
The Under has hit in 4 of Madonna’s last 6 games
Historical Betting Results:
Saint Francis covered in their 2025 meeting
Madonna has struggled historically against ranked or winning-record MSFA opponents, rarely covering spreads above +14
Predicted Score: Saint Francis 38, Madonna 17
Game Odds
Saint Francis Fighting Saints – 17
Madonna Crusaders 51
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025
