A peek at opponents -- Saturday games
SATURDAY, AUG. 30, 2025
• Ball State at Purdue (Noon, BTN)
• Merrimack at Kent State (Noon, ESPN+)
• Toledo at Kentucky (12:45, SEC/ESPN)
• Temple at UMass (3:30, ESPN+)
• Holy Cross at Northern Illinois (3:30, ESPN+)
• Eastern Michigan at Texas State (8:00, ESPN+)
CLICK READ MORE FOR DETAILS . .
• Ball State at Purdue (Noon, BTN)
• Merrimack at Kent State (Noon, ESPN+)
• Toledo at Kentucky (12:45, SEC/ESPN)
• Temple at UMass (3:30, ESPN+)
• Holy Cross at Northern Illinois (3:30, ESPN+)
• Eastern Michigan at Texas State (8:00, ESPN+)
CLICK READ MORE FOR DETAILS . .
• Ball State at Purdue (Noon, BTN)
• Playing Purdue early may be a blessing. The 2025 Boilermakers have over 50 portal transfers. Nearly all of the starting defense could be transfers. Especially when it comes to line play, getting game reps as a unit will be important. However, results are uncertain.
• Senior Devin Mockobee (6-0, 202)figures as the Boilermakers top threat. He returned after registering 687 yards (4 TDs) on 138 carries (5.0 ypc) last year.
• QB Ryan Brown had two starts for Purdue last year. He announced he was going to North Carolina in December, but reversed course in April. He and Malachi Singleton (Arkansas) are the top candidates at quarterback heading into 2026.
Wide receivers options include a host of transfers. Nitro Tuggle is an Indiana native and former four-star recruit who who went to Georgia but has come back to play in his home state.
• The secondary was particularly hard hit by transfers, but there are so many unknowns on this side of the ball, only playing actual games will show how well this unit has blended/progressed.
• Playing Purdue early may be a blessing. The 2025 Boilermakers have over 50 portal transfers. Nearly all of the starting defense could be transfers. Especially when it comes to line play, getting game reps as a unit will be important. However, results are uncertain.
• Senior Devin Mockobee (6-0, 202)figures as the Boilermakers top threat. He returned after registering 687 yards (4 TDs) on 138 carries (5.0 ypc) last year.
• QB Ryan Brown had two starts for Purdue last year. He announced he was going to North Carolina in December, but reversed course in April. He and Malachi Singleton (Arkansas) are the top candidates at quarterback heading into 2026.
Wide receivers options include a host of transfers. Nitro Tuggle is an Indiana native and former four-star recruit who who went to Georgia but has come back to play in his home state.
• The secondary was particularly hard hit by transfers, but there are so many unknowns on this side of the ball, only playing actual games will show how well this unit has blended/progressed.
• Merrimack at Kent State (Noon, ESPN+)
• After finishing 5-6 last year, the Warriors are aiming for a winning record in their first year as an FCS independent program.
• Jermaine Corbett is gone after rushing for 1,058 yards with nine TDs last year. He averaged 5.6 ypc. Junior Brendon Wyatt is the likely replacement. He averaged 5.8 ypc while registering 313 yards and three TDs in 2024.
• Quarterback Auden Pareira and WR Jalen McDonald return to give the Warriors an experienced passing weapon.
• Merrimack's defense was ranked 12th among FCS teams in defense, with the Warriors being stout against the run.
Linebacker Kendal Sims and D.J. Frazier are solid tacklers. while DB Garry Rosemond Jr helps anchor the secondary.
• Toledo at Kentucky (12:45, SEC/ESPN)
The 2024 season was a tough one for UK, with the Wildcats finishing at 4-8 overall and 1-7 in SEC play. Three of their wins were in non-conference play and included a 41-6 thrashing of eventual MAC champ Ohio in Week Four. Facing another league gauntlet this year UK will be anxious to get wins on the board as early as possible.
• Once again, transfers are likely to play a key role in Wildcat fortunes. Among the new faces is QB Zach Calzada (Auburn,Texas A&M,Incarnate Word). This is his seventh collegiate season. He is 23-9 as a starter and has passed for 8,707 yards with 73 TDs and 28 interceptions in a long career.
• UK's top two receivers transferred out, moving Ja'Mori Maclin into one spot. He had 13 catches for 313 yards and four TDs last year. Hardley Gilmore IV has limited game experience and Kendrick Levy (Alabama) could help.
• The Wildcats needed help along the offensive line and dialed up the portal. At least half of the O-line could be transfers. Many of the newcomers, however, are unproven against the lines of SEC competition.
• The defensive backfield disappointed last year, but several UK coaches are hopeful about improvement from a group that was thrust into action early last year.
Linebackers Alex Afari Jr. and Daveren Rayner are back
Transfers will be counted on up front.
• Temple at UMass (3:30, ESPN+)
Success in the Owls football world can be both elusive and fleeting. However, sfter a series of 3-9 seasons, there is optimism among Temple fans. Much of that is associated with new Head Coach KC Keeler. He has two national championships (with two different teams) to his credit and has been uber-successful at multiple stops.
Of course, instantaneous success is likely unrealistic -- even in the portal era. However, Keeler may be able to get Temple off the 3-9 rut.
• The road could start with run game improvement, which is needed after TU finished 126th among FBS teams on the ground. Redshirt senior RB Jay Ducker followed Keller from Sam Houston State and should help.
• Evan Simon is back at quarterback and threw for 2,032 yards with 15 TDs last year. Keeler and the coaches, however, hope to cut down on his interceptions (9), Gevani McCoy, who transferred in from Oregon State, previously played a Idaho and has been productive.
• Some late transfers may help the receiving ranks.
• Grayson Mains returns to anchor a relatively experienced offensive line.
• Defensive improvement is a goal after Temple ranked 123rd in scoring defense (25.4 ppg) in 2024.
Just two regular starters return, but several others at least have game experience. Senior corner Ben Osueke anchors the secondary while Demerick Morris is a 6-3, 300-pound returnee up front.
• Carl Hardin should take over field goals this year. Dante Aton returns as punter.
• Holy Cross at Northern Illinois (3:30, ESPN+)
After starting 1-4, Holy Cross won five of its last seven outings in 2024. The 5-1 conference mark gave Holy Cross a share of the Patriot League title.
• QB Joe Pesansky, who threw for 2,375 yards and 19 TDs last year, transferred to Florida International. How well the Crusaders fill this role will be a key factor in 2025 success.
• Quarterback Cal Swanson transferred in from Illinois but will be making his first collegiate start.
• Junior RB Jayden Clerveaux is a preseson All-Patriot League pick who ran for 967 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.
• Senior WR Max Mosey caught 37 balls for a team-high 714 yards with six TDs last year. He also rushed for two scores and passed for another TD. Several other options have shown potential as receiving targets.
• Three starters return along an offensive line that led the Patriot League in sacks allowed per game (1.08).
• There is depth along the defensive line where DE Chrisan Ross has been a reliable defender. Cornerback Cam Jones was third on the team in tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Several other Crusader players are returning from injury or moving up into starting roles after seeing action last year.
• The defense held league opponents to 16.5 ppg in 2024. That topped the Patriot League.
• Eastern Michigan at Texas State (8:00, ESPN+)
The Bobcats finished 8-5 last year, knocking off north Texas in the Servpro First Responders Bowl to cap the campaign.
Substantial credit goes to Jordan McClous, who passed for 3,337 yards and 30 touchdowns. However, he is done. It appeared TSU had a very good replacement in Oregon Gevani McCoy, but that transfer move evaporated in the spring with another transfer leap.
Several options remain, with former Pitt quarterback Nate Yarnell possibly getting the nod.
• The Bobcats leading rusher (Ismail Mahdi, 991 yards) transferred to Arizona. That makes Lincoln Pare the heir apparent. He logged 95 carries for 554 yards last year.
• Texas State is replacing its top three receivers. Chris Dawn Jr. leads returning wideouts with 37 receptions for 416 yards and six TDs last year.
• Two starters return on the offensive line and transfers are likely to fill holes on the defensive front.
• Safeties Ryan Noland and Darius Jackson are the only returning starters on the defensive side.
• Texas State was among the Sun Belt leaders in several deensive categories last year, but transfers and backups will have to step up for the Bobcat "D" to shine as bright this season.
• After finishing 5-6 last year, the Warriors are aiming for a winning record in their first year as an FCS independent program.
• Jermaine Corbett is gone after rushing for 1,058 yards with nine TDs last year. He averaged 5.6 ypc. Junior Brendon Wyatt is the likely replacement. He averaged 5.8 ypc while registering 313 yards and three TDs in 2024.
• Quarterback Auden Pareira and WR Jalen McDonald return to give the Warriors an experienced passing weapon.
• Merrimack's defense was ranked 12th among FCS teams in defense, with the Warriors being stout against the run.
Linebacker Kendal Sims and D.J. Frazier are solid tacklers. while DB Garry Rosemond Jr helps anchor the secondary.
• Toledo at Kentucky (12:45, SEC/ESPN)
The 2024 season was a tough one for UK, with the Wildcats finishing at 4-8 overall and 1-7 in SEC play. Three of their wins were in non-conference play and included a 41-6 thrashing of eventual MAC champ Ohio in Week Four. Facing another league gauntlet this year UK will be anxious to get wins on the board as early as possible.
• Once again, transfers are likely to play a key role in Wildcat fortunes. Among the new faces is QB Zach Calzada (Auburn,Texas A&M,Incarnate Word). This is his seventh collegiate season. He is 23-9 as a starter and has passed for 8,707 yards with 73 TDs and 28 interceptions in a long career.
• UK's top two receivers transferred out, moving Ja'Mori Maclin into one spot. He had 13 catches for 313 yards and four TDs last year. Hardley Gilmore IV has limited game experience and Kendrick Levy (Alabama) could help.
• The Wildcats needed help along the offensive line and dialed up the portal. At least half of the O-line could be transfers. Many of the newcomers, however, are unproven against the lines of SEC competition.
• The defensive backfield disappointed last year, but several UK coaches are hopeful about improvement from a group that was thrust into action early last year.
Linebackers Alex Afari Jr. and Daveren Rayner are back
Transfers will be counted on up front.
• Temple at UMass (3:30, ESPN+)
Success in the Owls football world can be both elusive and fleeting. However, sfter a series of 3-9 seasons, there is optimism among Temple fans. Much of that is associated with new Head Coach KC Keeler. He has two national championships (with two different teams) to his credit and has been uber-successful at multiple stops.
Of course, instantaneous success is likely unrealistic -- even in the portal era. However, Keeler may be able to get Temple off the 3-9 rut.
• The road could start with run game improvement, which is needed after TU finished 126th among FBS teams on the ground. Redshirt senior RB Jay Ducker followed Keller from Sam Houston State and should help.
• Evan Simon is back at quarterback and threw for 2,032 yards with 15 TDs last year. Keeler and the coaches, however, hope to cut down on his interceptions (9), Gevani McCoy, who transferred in from Oregon State, previously played a Idaho and has been productive.
• Some late transfers may help the receiving ranks.
• Grayson Mains returns to anchor a relatively experienced offensive line.
• Defensive improvement is a goal after Temple ranked 123rd in scoring defense (25.4 ppg) in 2024.
Just two regular starters return, but several others at least have game experience. Senior corner Ben Osueke anchors the secondary while Demerick Morris is a 6-3, 300-pound returnee up front.
• Carl Hardin should take over field goals this year. Dante Aton returns as punter.
• Holy Cross at Northern Illinois (3:30, ESPN+)
After starting 1-4, Holy Cross won five of its last seven outings in 2024. The 5-1 conference mark gave Holy Cross a share of the Patriot League title.
• QB Joe Pesansky, who threw for 2,375 yards and 19 TDs last year, transferred to Florida International. How well the Crusaders fill this role will be a key factor in 2025 success.
• Quarterback Cal Swanson transferred in from Illinois but will be making his first collegiate start.
• Junior RB Jayden Clerveaux is a preseson All-Patriot League pick who ran for 967 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.
• Senior WR Max Mosey caught 37 balls for a team-high 714 yards with six TDs last year. He also rushed for two scores and passed for another TD. Several other options have shown potential as receiving targets.
• Three starters return along an offensive line that led the Patriot League in sacks allowed per game (1.08).
• There is depth along the defensive line where DE Chrisan Ross has been a reliable defender. Cornerback Cam Jones was third on the team in tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Several other Crusader players are returning from injury or moving up into starting roles after seeing action last year.
• The defense held league opponents to 16.5 ppg in 2024. That topped the Patriot League.
• Eastern Michigan at Texas State (8:00, ESPN+)
The Bobcats finished 8-5 last year, knocking off north Texas in the Servpro First Responders Bowl to cap the campaign.
Substantial credit goes to Jordan McClous, who passed for 3,337 yards and 30 touchdowns. However, he is done. It appeared TSU had a very good replacement in Oregon Gevani McCoy, but that transfer move evaporated in the spring with another transfer leap.
Several options remain, with former Pitt quarterback Nate Yarnell possibly getting the nod.
• The Bobcats leading rusher (Ismail Mahdi, 991 yards) transferred to Arizona. That makes Lincoln Pare the heir apparent. He logged 95 carries for 554 yards last year.
• Texas State is replacing its top three receivers. Chris Dawn Jr. leads returning wideouts with 37 receptions for 416 yards and six TDs last year.
• Two starters return on the offensive line and transfers are likely to fill holes on the defensive front.
• Safeties Ryan Noland and Darius Jackson are the only returning starters on the defensive side.
• Texas State was among the Sun Belt leaders in several deensive categories last year, but transfers and backups will have to step up for the Bobcat "D" to shine as bright this season.
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