Week 5 of the 2025 college football season features the Lindenwood Lions traveling to Yager Stadium in Oxford, OH, to play the Miami (OH) RedHawks. The game kicks off on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM and will be broadcasted on ESPN+. Both teams are looking for their first win of the season, adding an extra layer of anticipation to this matchup.
The Lions enter the game with an 0-1 record, having lost their only game of the season to Appalachian State by a score of 20-13. Despite a solid passing performance with 217 yards, their ground game struggled, managing only -1 rushing yard. This will be their second consecutive road game, aiming to turn the tide in their favor.
On the other hand, the RedHawks are 0-3, with their most recent game ending in a narrow 41-38 loss to UNLV at home. Miami (OH) has shown moments of offensive capability, putting up 265 passing yards and 131 rushing yards in that game. Playing at Yager Stadium once more, they will look to capitalize on home-field advantage to secure a much-needed victory.
Miami (OH) vs Lindenwood At a Glance
- Game Venue: Yager Stadium in Oxford, OH
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Miami (OH) RedHawks Record: 0-3 this season
- Lindenwood Lions Record: 0-1 this season
- Game Odds: Miami (OH) favored with a moneyline of -1383
Miami (OH) RedHawks: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Season Dynamics
Offensive Overview
The Miami (OH) RedHawks have had a challenging start to the 2025 season, ranking 82nd in points for with a total of 55. Their passing game ranks 111th with 599 yards, while their rushing attack struggles at 127th with just 282 yards. With 39 first downs, they rank 62nd, showcasing an offense that’s still finding its rhythm.
Comparing to their 2024 season performance, the RedHawks scored 337 points, ranking 61st, showing a significant drop in offensive output. The passing yards also saw a decline from 3044 (50th) last season to just 599 so far this year.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, Miami (OH) ranks 71st, having allowed 103 points this season. Their pass rush is effective, ranking 9th in sacks with 10, which is a positive aspect of their defense. Interceptions are a strong suit for them, tied for 4th with three interceptions, highlighting their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
The RedHawks’ defense recovered zero fumbles, ranking 7th, indicating room for improvement in creating turnovers. Last season, they recovered nine fumbles, which helped in controlling the game tempo.
Quarterback Performance
Dequan Finn, leading the charge at quarterback, has accumulated 465 passing yards, placing him 120th nationally. With two passing touchdowns and four interceptions, Finn’s decision-making will need refinement as the season progresses. His fantasy points are currently at 36.5, ranked 351st, which reflects his current struggles.
Henry Hesson, another option at QB, played one game with 134 passing yards and one touchdown. Although limited in action, Hesson offers a different style of play that might be explored further.
Recent Games Recap
The RedHawks are coming off a close 41-38 loss to UNLV, where they recorded 265 passing yards but struggled with three interceptions. In their matchup against Rutgers, Miami (OH) fell 45-17, highlighting issues in both offense and defense. Their season opener against Wisconsin resulted in a 17-0 shutout, marking a rough start to the season.
Key Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 18 Games (2022–2024) → 17-1 (94.4%)
- SU – After Win: Last 19 Games (2023–2024) → 15-4 (78.9%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 25 Games (2020–2025) → 18-7 (72.0%)
- SU – All Games: Last 28 Games (2023–2025) → 19-9 (67.9%)
- ATS – As Favorite: Last 16 Games (2023–2024) → 11-5 (68.8%)
- SU – Away Games: Last 18 Games (2022–2025) → 12-6 (66.7%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 18 Games (2022–2025) → 12-6 (66.7%)
- SU – After Loss: Last 20 Games (2021–2025) → 13-7 (65.0%)
Lindenwood Lions Seek Redemption on the Road
Quarterback Play
The Lindenwood Lions rely heavily on their quarterback, Nate Glantz, to lead the offense. Glantz managed to throw for 217 yards in the previous game, ranking him 174th nationally. However, with two interceptions thrown, the team will need him to improve his decision-making for better results.
Running Game Struggles
Jared Rhodes leads the Lions’ rushing attack, but the team has struggled to gain traction on the ground. They managed only -1 rushing yard against Appalachian State, pointing to significant difficulties in this area. The Lions need a turnaround to become more competitive on the offensive end.
Receiving Corps
Rico Bond stands out among the Lions’ wide receivers, having recorded 102 receiving yards in their recent game. His performance makes him a key target for Glantz in the passing game. Alongside Bond, Drew Krobath and Jalen Smith will be crucial in spreading the field and opening up opportunities.
Defensive Performances
On the defensive side, the Lions have managed to keep opponents to 20 points, ranking 4th nationally. Their ability to create turnovers has been impressive, with 1 interception and 2 fumbles recovered. Maintaining this defensive pressure will be essential to counterbalance offensive struggles.
Key Players
Aside from Glantz and Bond, Darrin Fugitt has been a consistent performer at tight end. He added 37 receiving yards in their last outing, providing another reliable option in the passing game. The Lions will look to exploit mismatches with Fugitt against the opposing defense.
Kicking Game
The Lions’ kicking game, led by Will Graham, remains a work in progress. Graham has yet to make a field goal this season but contributed an extra point in their latest contest. Improvement in this area could help the Lions capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Betting Trends
- Lindenwood is 20.5-point underdogs in this game.
- The total for the game is set at 49.5.
- Lindenwood is coming off a 13-20 loss to Appalachian State.
Miami (OH) and Lindenwood head into this Week 5 matchup with both teams looking for their first win of the season. Miami (OH) has shown a tendency to score high, despite their 0-3 record, as seen in their recent 38-41 loss against UNLV. This suggests a potential for higher scoring games, especially when playing as a strong favorite at home.
Lindenwood’s defense is ranked 4th in points against, allowing only 20 points in their first game of the season. However, their offensive struggles are evident with only 13 points scored. Miami (OH) might exploit Lindenwood’s weaker offensive output while still managing to put up a significant score themselves.
With Miami (OH) coming off a high-scoring game and Lindenwood’s limited offensive capabilities, betting on the under could be the sensible choice. The RedHawks are likely to dominate on their home field, but Lindenwood’s defense could prevent the game from turning into a complete shootout.
Given the stats and recent performances, it seems likely that the total score will be under the set 49.5 points. A projected score of Miami (OH) 35 – Lindenwood 10 supports the decision to go with the under.
- Miami (OH) vs Lindenwood Prediction: Under 49.5
- Miami (OH) vs Lindenwood Score: Miami (OH) 35 – Lindenwood 10
