The Merrimack College Warriors travel to Kennesaw, GA, for a Week 3 showdown against the Kennesaw State Owls. This game is set to take place at Fifth Third Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ as both teams seek their first victory of the season.
The Warriors enter the game with a 0-1 record, having narrowly lost to Kent State 21-17 in their season opener. Despite the loss, Merrimack demonstrated strong rushing capabilities, racking up 164 rushing yards. They will look to capitalize on this strength against the Owls.
On the other side, the Kennesaw State Owls hold a 0-2 record after facing tough competition against Indiana and Wake Forest. Their most recent game resulted in a 56-9 loss to Indiana, highlighting the challenges they’ve faced on the road. Returning to their home turf could provide the Owls with the edge they need to secure a win.
Kennesaw State vs Merrimack College At a Glance
- Game Timing: Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM
- Location: Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, GA
- Broadcast: Available on ESPN+
- Merrimack College Record: 0-1 overall
- Kennesaw State Record: 0-2 overall
- Game Odds: Kennesaw State favored by -10.5 with a moneyline of -410
Kennesaw State Owls Prepare for Battle: Can They Secure a Victory?
Offensive Struggles
The Kennesaw State Owls have faced challenges on offense, scoring just 18 points in their 2025 regular season, placing them 68th in the rankings. Their passing game has struggled, with only 331 yards, putting them at 99th overall. They have managed 247 rushing yards, ranking them 86th.
In their recent games, they have been unable to find their rhythm, as evidenced by their 56-9 loss to Indiana. Despite these challenges, the Owls have secured 28 first downs, placing them in the 36th position, showing some ability to move the ball.
Defensive Outlook
Defensively, the Owls have allowed 66 points this season, ranking them 54th. However, their pass rush has been more effective, with four sacks placing them 7th overall. Yet, the defense has struggled to create turnovers, with no interceptions or fumble recoveries this season.
In their game against Indiana, the defense allowed 316 rushing yards, showcasing their struggles against the run. The Owls will need to tighten up their defense to improve their standing in upcoming games.
Key Players to Watch
Dexter Williams II leads the team at quarterback with 148 passing yards over two games, but he has yet to throw a touchdown. Coleman Bennett has been a bright spot in the rushing attack, accumulating 100 rushing yards and one touchdown. Gabriel Benyard has contributed significantly as a receiver, with 154 receiving yards over two games.
Daniel Kinney has provided reliability in the kicking game, making four field goals. His contributions have been crucial in keeping the Owls competitive in close games.
Recent Game Performances
The Owls narrowly lost to Wake Forest 10-9, in a game where they had a chance to secure a victory. Their defense managed to hold Wake Forest to just 139 rushing yards, showing some promise.
In their game against Indiana, the offense struggled to produce, with just 182 passing yards and 89 rushing yards. The defense couldn’t contain Indiana, allowing 280 passing yards and 316 rushing yards.
Injury Concerns
The Owls have several players listed as questionable, including Seaburn Hines (OL) and Donelius Johnson (LB), due to undisclosed injuries. The availability of these players could significantly impact the team’s performance.
With key positions affected by injuries, the Owls will need their depth to step up and deliver if they hope to turn their season around.
Team Betting Trends
- Kennesaw State Owls are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games.
- The Owls have hit the under in 3 of their last 5 games.
- They are 0-5 straight up in their last 5 away games.
Merrimack College Warriors: Unpacking the Season so Far
Offensive Struggles
The Merrimack College Warriors have had a challenging start offensively in the 2025 season, managing to score an average of 17 points per game, placing them at 69th in the rankings. Their passing game has struggled significantly with only 176 passing yards, ranking 138th. The rushing game has shown slightly better performance with 164 yards, ranking 114th.
In the 2024 season, the team showed a better offensive output with 23 points per game and 258 passing yards. The decline in performance this season indicates areas that need improvement for the Warriors to enhance their offensive capabilities.
Defensive Strength
Despite offensive struggles, Merrimack’s defense has been a standout, allowing only 21 points per game, which ranks 13th. Their defense excels in sacks, with 3 recorded, placing them at 8th. Impressively, they have yet to allow an interception, ranking 1st in this category.
The defense’s ability to recover fumbles is also notable, with 1 recovery, ranking 5th. This strong defensive performance could be the key to turning their season around if the offense can catch up.
Key Players
Quarterback Ayden Pereira has been a crucial part of Merrimack’s offense, contributing 176 passing yards and one touchdown in the opening game. His performance is pivotal to the team’s success moving forward. Running back Brendon Wyatt, with 21 rushing yards, has room for improvement but has shown potential.
Wide receiver Seth Sweitzer, with 59 receiving yards and a touchdown, has been a reliable target for Pereira. The connection between Pereira and Sweitzer could be a crucial factor in improving the Warriors’ offensive output.
Recent Performance
The Warriors’ recent game against Kent State ended in a narrow 21-17 loss. Merrimack displayed a balanced attack with 176 passing yards and 164 rushing yards. Their ability to maintain a close score against a competitive team is a positive sign for future games.
Defensively, Merrimack limited Kent State to just 15 first downs and 99 rushing yards, showcasing their defensive resilience. Improving offensive execution could convert these close games into victories.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU in Day Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
Overall, the Merrimack College Warriors have shown potential, particularly on the defensive side. If they can improve their offensive output, they could see a turnaround in their performance as the season progresses.
Kennesaw State vs Merrimack College Prediction: Merrimack College +10.5
Kennesaw State enters the game with a 0-2 record, having struggled on the road to find their rhythm offensively, scoring just 18 points per game. Although playing at home might boost their performance, their defense has been leaky, allowing 66 points in just two games. This defensive vulnerability could be exploited by Merrimack College.
Merrimack College, despite being underdogs with a +316 moneyline, has shown a solid defensive presence, ranking 13th in points against with only 21 points allowed in their single game this season. This defensive capability, coupled with Kennesaw State’s offensive struggles, makes Merrimack’s +10.5 spread an appealing option.
The Merrimack offense is not particularly dynamic, with only 17 points scored in their opener, but their potential to keep the game close against Kennesaw State’s defense cannot be underestimated. With both teams struggling to find their first win, Merrimack’s ability to keep the scoreline tight seems plausible.
Given the defensive strengths and offensive challenges on both sides, I anticipate a closely contested game. My prediction is that Merrimack College will cover the +10.5 spread, with a projected final score of Kennesaw State 24 – Merrimack College 17.
- Kennesaw State vs Merrimack College Prediction: Merrimack College +10.5
- Kennesaw State vs Merrimack College Score: Kennesaw State 24 – Merrimack College 17
