Merrimack at Kennesaw State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Merrimack logo   Merrimack Warriors at Kennesaw State Owls  Kennesaw State logo
Saturday, September 13th 2025 (6:00 PM EDT)
Kennesaw State -17.5 (44.5) (-950)  Open: 0.0 | 44.5
Kennesaw State 27 - Merrimack: 13

 
Warriors (0 - 2) (2 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 15 - 24 (15 - 24 on Road)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
MER coming off BYE
Our Line: -3.5  (SP+ KENN -5)
KENN Win prob: 89% | Cover: 51%
Owls (10 - 4) (9 - 5 - 0)
Coach Jerry Mack (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 27 - 26 (31 - 19 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.5 - 3.5 (#16)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 9)
 
Merrimack's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Merrimack at Kent State+5.550.5L 17 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/13 Merrimack at Kennesaw State+17.544.5L 13 - 27UY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Merrimack's Schedule
Kennesaw State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Kennesaw State at Wake Forest+17.551.5L 9 - 10UY
Sat 9/6 Kennesaw State at Indiana+35.551.5L 9 - 56ON
Sat 9/13 Kennesaw State vs Merrimack-17.544.5W 27 - 13UN
Sat 9/20 Kennesaw State vs Arkansas State+4.557.5W 28 - 21UY
Sat 9/27 Kennesaw State vs Middle Tennessee-7.054.5W 24 - 16UY
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/9 Kennesaw State vs Louisiana Tech+4.546.5W 35 - 7UY
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/21 Kennesaw State at Florida International-3.048.5W 45 - 26OY
Tue 10/28 Kennesaw State vs UTEP-12.553.5W 33 - 20UY
Sat 11/8 Kennesaw State at New Mexico State-11.552.5W 24 - 21UN
Sat 11/15 Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State-3.556.5L 26 - 35ON
Sat 11/22 Kennesaw State vs Missouri State-6.554.0W 41 - 34OY
Sat 11/29 Kennesaw State at Liberty-2.555.5W 48 - 42OY
Fri 12/5 Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State-3.062.5W 19 - 15UY
Fri 12/19 Kennesaw State vs Western Michigan+3.047.0L 6 - 41UN

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 9
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 9
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kennesaw State's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MER0%150%000%000%240%0%0000
KENN#134 (-.04)31% (133)26.731% (134)2.16 (134)11632% (129)1363.5 (103)#93 (.21)46% (114)25.545% (91)48% (122)4.15 (102)46.31.51
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MER0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
KENN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MER Offense215150%00000000%0%0%0%0%
KENN Defense1225.518.546.2%4.151 - - - - - 52%48%45%48%14%.21
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MER Defense224240%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
KENN Offense1226.731.331.4%3.51.5142521161363.158%41%31%32%17%-.04

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Merrimack20:000NAN%0%0000000100
Kennesaw State1229:2013.735%39%5.646.31.514.81.8328.9
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MER Offense20%0%000000%0%0
KENN Defense1252% (85)45% (91) - - - - .16 (86)3.04 (75)73% (65)9% (93)1 (73)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MER Defense20%0% - - - - 00%0%0
KENN Offense1258% (17)31% (134)37.4115.53.113 (105)-.05 (130)2.16 (134)74% (62)12% (115)1.01 (51)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MER Offense20%0%000000000%0%0%0
KENN Defense1248% (50)48% (122) - - - - - - 4 (125).27 (86)1.3 (8)26% (131)30% (51).31 (71)5% (119)2 (63)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MER Defense20%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
KENN Offense1241% (117)32% (129)1324.8136.35.510.56 (133)14 (115)- (133)1.6 (52)38% (131)23% (130).16 (124)5% (24)2.1 (60)

Merrimack's Power Ratings
Merrimack's Power Rating: NR
Merrimack's Offense Rating: NR
Merrimack's Defense Rating: NR
2025 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Merrimack's 2025 Expected Record: -
Merrimack's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Merrimack's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Merrimack's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average NEC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Merrimack:    Kennesaw State: -3.35

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Merrimack:    Kennesaw State: -5.4




Kennesaw State's Power Ratings
Kennesaw State's Power Rating: -3.35  #83
Kennesaw State's Offense Rating: 10.45  #85
Kennesaw State's Defense Rating: 16.75  #92
2025 Talent Rating: 358.00  #129
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #101
Kennesaw State's 2025 Expected Record: 10.5 - 3.5
Kennesaw State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.4  #89
Kennesaw State's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.4  #72
Kennesaw State's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.2  #93

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 436
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Merrimack Scoring
Offense: 15 PPG
Offense on Road: 15
Defense: 24 PPG
Defense on Road: 24

Merrimack's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 2
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Kennesaw State 26
Merrimack 18

Projected Total Points: 44
Kennesaw State Scoring
Offense: 26.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 25.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 18.5

Kennesaw State's 2025 Record
Record: 10 - 4
Record vs Spread: 9 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 9
Record at home: 6 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 3 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/13Kennesaw State27Merrimack13Kennesaw State -17.5Merrimack44.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kennesaw State100 Overs
Merrimack011 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#) MER at (#83) KENN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMERKENN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #83
SP+SP+NR #89
Perf GradeGradeNR #99
OffenseOffNR #82
DefenseDefNR #81
Spec TeamsSTNR #109
TalentTalNR #129
Blue ChipsBC%NR #101
Kennesaw State Notes
(12/6) CUSA champs, cannot overstate job Mack did
(12/3) Owls have major injuries at LB into CUSA title game
(11/29) Beat Liberty in 2 OT. Owls will play Jax St in CUSA Title
(10/29) Even game vs UTEP, Off awful, Def & STs saved
(10/29) 300 yds and 3-14 on 3rd down vs UTEP? Still W
(10/22) HC Mack & staff incredible job. Current CUSA fav
(10/22) QB Amari Odom went down vs FIU, monitor
(10/21) RB Coleman Bennett has real speed, good weapon
(10/9) So QB Amari Odom taken QB1 job, been much better
(9/24) Run Def held Ark St to 92 yds, Pass Def was OK
(9/20) Huge W vs Ark St, QB Odom a revelation 300+
(8/16) QB D. Williams (GSU) will start, S Williams #2
Kennesaw State Injury Report
Merrimack on Offense
CategoryCat
MER OffKENN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNR #81
SuccessSucNR #114
ExplosiveExpNR #23
PPAPPANR #93
PowerPwrNR #92
SP+SP+NR #93
Pts POPPONR #102
HavocHavNR #112
Merrimack Run Game
CategoryCat
MER OffKENN Def
Run GameRunNR #79
Run SuccessRSucNR #91
Run ExplRExpNR #73
PPAExpNR #86
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #75
Stuff RateStuffNR #36
TackleTak -  #92
Merrimack Pass Game
CategoryCat
MER OffKENN Def
Pass GamePassNR #72
Pass SuccessPSucNR #122
Pass ExplPExlNR #8
PPAExpNR #86
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNR #59
F7 HavocF7NR #93
DB HavocDBNR #119
Kennesaw State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatKENN OffMER Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #82NR
SuccessSuc #133NR
ExplosiveExp #78NR
PPAPPA #134NR
PowerPwr #85NR
SP+SP+ #72NR
Pts POPPO #103NR
HavocHav #84NR
Kennesaw State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
KENN OffMER Def
Run GameRun #64NR
Run SuccessRSuc #134NR
Run ExplRExp #51NR
PPAExp #130NR
Run BlockR Blk #127 -
OL YdsOLY #134NR
Stuff RateStuff #128NR
TackleTak - NR
Kennesaw State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatKENN OffMER Def
Pass GamePass #57NR
Pass SuccessPSuc #129NR
Pass ExplPExl #52NR
PPAExp #133NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #93NR
F7 HavocF7 #115NR
DB HavocDB #24NR
Program Comparison
KENN 5 Year Profile: Improving Poor G5
'25 Profile: Down to Average G5

MER 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 3
Kennesaw State -17.5 (44.5)
Kennesaw State won vs Merrimack this year (27-13)

Previous Matchups
Kennesaw State beat Merrimack last year (27-13)

  
MER's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ayden Pereira15931051%1846976.0
Aveon Smith92438%119135.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ayden Pereira19385674.432
Brendon Wyatt7330434.263
DeMarcus McElroy5825614.463
Aveon Smith5124014.729
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Seth Sweitzer31403313.036
Austin Palmer21287213.766
Cade Callahan19279314.750
Hayden Fisher22231010.543

View Merrimack's Full Roster

MER's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kendal Sims171000
DJ Frazier161110
Rajahn Cooper130001
RJ Chapman110000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryce Warrick11110
Jabari Echols11100
Markeith Hogan31100
Cidney Johnson31100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rajahn Cooper130001
Garry Rosemond Jr.81001
Nate Palanica Jr.31001

KENN's OC Mitch Militello (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Amari Odom18929165%25941988.9
Dexter Williams II (Tr)6712554%787636.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Coleman Bennett (Tr)15776444.930
Chase Belcher (Tr)10756625.346
Amari Odom12034772.924
Alexander Diggs7228123.925
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Gabriel Benyard60949915.854
Christian Moss44682215.570
Coleman Bennett (Tr)27314311.676
Clayton Coppock28311511.155

View Kennesaw State's Full Roster

KENN's DC Marc Mattioli (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Baron Hopson13910126
Tywon Christopher815212
Isaac Paul570002
Milon Jones533011
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elijah Hill2212960
Tylon Dunlap4011511
Donovan Westmoreland356411
Kody Jones (Tr)297243
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Offord (Tr)4770012
JeRico Washington Jr.4321010
Baron Hopson13910126