Game Details
Celebration Stadium, Salina, Kansas
Simulcast on Urban Edge Network
Team Profiles
Ottawa University Braves
2024 Record: 1–10 overall, 1–4 KCAC
Head Coach: Mike Moore (4th season)
Offensive Scheme: Pro-style balanced attack, leaning on quick-game throws and inside power runs
Defensive Scheme: 4–3 base front designed for gap integrity and third-down stops
Key Returners
QB Thomas Kelley (Sr.): Threw for 1,750 yards and 12 TDs, added 300 rushing yards on designed runs
RB Marcus Thompson (Jr.): Averaged 4.6 YPC for 680 yards and 6 TDs; reliable between the tackles
LB Andre Jackson (Sr.): Led the Braves with 85 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 forced fumbles
Outlook
Ottawa’s first win in a rebuilding campaign came at home last October. Facing a stout Kansas Wesleyan front, the Braves must protect Kelley, execute ball-control drives, and force turnovers to stay within striking distance.
Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes
2024 Record: 7–4 overall, 5–2 KCAC; Kessinger Division runner-up
Head Coach: Myers Hendrickson (1st season)
Offensive Scheme: Up-tempo spread/RPO hybrid with quick-strike passing and jet sweeps
Defensive Scheme: 4–2–5 nickel emphasizing disguised blitzes and takeaways
Key Returners
QB Derek Olson (Sr.): Completed 68% of passes for 2,200 yards and 20 TDs, added 450 rushing yards
RB Lance Douglas (Jr.): Rushed for 950 yards (5.2 YPC) and 14 TDs, a force on inside zone
DB Trevor Myers (Sr.): Team leader with 6 interceptions and 10 pass breakups, the Coyotes’ cover anchor
Outlook
Kansas Wesleyan returns one of the KCAC’s most explosive offenses. Olson’s quick reads coupled with Douglas’s burst and Myers’s ballhawking form a three-headed threat. Home-field energy at Celebration Stadium should amplify the Coyotes’ tempo and force the Braves into mistakes.
Key Storylines
Urban Edge Spotlight: This game is one of five NAIA-UEN Featured matchups on Kickoff Weekend, giving the winner national exposure.
Division Implications: A KCAC win vaults KWU into early contention for the Kessinger Division title.
Rebuilding vs. Reloading: Ottawa’s young roster seeks growth; Kansas Wesleyan boasts veteran leadership on both sides of the ball.
Tactical Matchup
Ottawa must win early downs and limit third-and-longs to control the clock.
KWU’s tempo offense aims to snap quickly and create pre-snap confusion.
The line of scrimmage battle will decide whether the Braves can establish the run or if the Coyotes salt away drives with short passes.
Kansas Wesleyan’s depth, tempo advantage, and turnover prowess should prove decisive at home. Ottawa will grind out a few long drives early, but mistakes against the Coyotes’ veteran defense will allow KWU to pull away in the second half.
Game Odds
Ottawa Braves (KS) 50.5
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes – 17.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
