Game Details
Allgood-Bailey Stadium, Rolla, Missouri
Streaming: NAIA.TV (Central Methodist) | GLVC Network (Missouri S&T)
Team Profiles
Central Methodist Eagles
Central Methodist enters 2025 following a 1–10 overall finish in 2024 and a transition into the Mid-States Football Association. Head Coach Brad Ecklund returns a youthful roster keyed on developing its passing game and generating big plays out of the spread.
Key Returners
QB Caleb Brown (Sr.): Threw for 1,500 yards and 6 TDs in limited action last year; adds 300 rushing yards on designed keepers.
RB Zion Johnson (Jr.): Averaged 4.2 yards per carry for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns.
LB Mikey Carter (Sr.): Led the defense with 75 tackles and 3 sacks, the Eagles’ emotional leader.
Outlook: Ecklund’s spread offense will look to catch the Miners off guard early with tempo and quick-release throws. Central Methodist must protect Brown up front and force turnovers to stay competitive on the road.
Missouri S&T Miners
The Miners went 3–7 in the GLVC last season and return under 12th-year Head Coach Andy Ball. S&T features a balanced, pro-style attack and a veteran defense that finished among the conference’s top run-stopping units in 2024.
Key Returners
QB Connor Thompson (Sr.): Completed 60% of passes for 2,100 yards, 18 TDs, and added 6 rushing scores.
RB Travis Harper (Jr.): Rushed for 920 yards (5.0 YPC) and 10 touchdowns, anchoring the ground game.
DB Jackson Miller (Sr.): Recorded 3 interceptions and 15 pass breakups, the Miners’ top playmaker in the secondary.
Outlook: S&T will lean on a physical run game to control the clock and open play-action opportunities for Thompson. Defensively, the Miners must win the line of scrimmage and limit Brown’s scrambling lanes to seal a home-field victory.
Key Storylines
“David vs. Goliath” – NAIA newcomer Central Methodist faces an established NCAA DII program.
Crossover Challenge – How will a young Eagles offense handle S&T’s veteran front seven?
Road Test – Central Methodist aims to punch above its weight class in hostile territory.
Tactical Matchup
Tempo vs. Control: Eagles will try to snap quickly and rack up short gains, but Miners dictate pace with a ground-and-pound identity.
Line of Scrimmage: S&T’s veteran offensive line vs. Central Methodist’s blitz packages will determine who owns early downs.
Big-Play Potential: Watch for Miller’s ballhawking in coverage and Zion Johnson’s burst on jet sweeps.
Missouri S&T’s experience, physical run game, and turnover edge should prove decisive. Central Methodist will generate a few momentum swings with quick-strike plays, but the Miners’ balanced attack and home-field advantage carry them to a convincing victory.
Game Odds
Central Methodist Eagles 53.5
Missouri S&T Miners – 24.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
