Kickoff: 6:00 PM CDT
Venue: Karns Stadium, McPherson, Kansas
Conference: KCAC Non-Conference Opener
Broadcast: NAIA.TV / KCAC Network
Game Overview
Week 1 of the 2025 NAIA season opens with Avila University (MO) making the short trip to fellow KCAC foe McPherson College. The Yellowjackets, coming off a rebuilding year, aim to challenge a McPherson squad that reached the KCAC title game in 2024. Expect a fast-paced clash featuring a veteran Bulldog offense against Avila’s up-tempo spread.
Team Profiles
Avila University Yellowjackets (KCAC)
2024 Record: 2–8 overall, 2–6 KCAC
Head Coach: Victor Bailey (3rd season)
Offensive Scheme: No-huddle spread/RPO, emphasizing quick reads and wide-out screens
Defensive Scheme: 4–2–5 nickel built to mask coverages and force turnovers
Key Returners
QB Marcus Walker (Sr.): Threw for 1,650 yards and 12 TDs in 2024; adds 350 rushing yards on designed keepers.
RB Damien Carter (Jr.): Rushed for 720 yards (4.8 YPC) with 6 rushing TDs; effective on jet sweeps.
LB Jalen Robinson (Sr.): Led the KCAC with 102 tackles and recorded 3 interceptions as a senior captain.
Outlook: Bailey’s group must protect Walker against McPherson’s edge pressure and convert on third downs. Avila will lean on tempo to keep McPherson’s defense off balance and look for big plays in space.
McPherson College Bulldogs (KCAC)
2024 Record: 8–3 overall, 6–2 KCAC (Conference Runner-Up)
Head Coach: Mike Moore (12th season)
Offensive Scheme: Balanced pro-style attack—power runs and play-action passing
Defensive Scheme: 3–4 front emphasizing gap integrity and third-down stops
Key Returners
QB Collin Smeltzer (Sr.): Threw for 2,450 yards and 22 TDs; adds 300 yards and 4 scores on designed runs.
RB Franco Delgado (Jr.): Rushed for 1,050 yards (5.2 YPC) with 14 TDs; works between the tackles.
LB Nick Becker (Sr.): Anchors the defense with 95 tackles, 8.5 TFL, and 4 sacks in 2024.
Outlook: Moore’s veteran line will seek to establish Delgado early and set up play-action for Smeltzer. Defensively, the Bulldogs aim to disrupt Avila’s timing on quick throws and force turnovers in the red zone.
Tactical Matchup
Tempo vs. Control: Avila’s no-huddle sets will test McPherson’s substitution discipline.
Line of Scrimmage: Bulldogs’ veteran OL vs. Yellowjackets’ front-seven blitz looks will dictate early drives.
Big-Play Potential: Walker’s arm speed against Becker’s range in the second level could flip field position.
McPherson’s balanced offense, red-zone efficiency, and turnover margin give the Bulldogs a clear edge. Avila will force a turnover or two with its blitz packages, but McPherson’s depth and home-field crowd noise should carry them to victory.
Game Odds
Avila Yellowjackets (MO) 53.5
McPherson Bulldogs (KS) – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
