BRIDGEWATER, Va. - The Bridgewater College football team is set to open the season against Stevenson on Saturday night, presented by Bojangles.

When: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Where: Bridgewater, Va.
Stadium: The Stadium at the Jopson Athletic Complex
Kickoff: 7:00 pm 
Gameday Forecast: Evening Showers, 73F
        50% Chance of rain
Series Record: Tied 1-1

ENTERING 2025: The Eagles return experience on both sides of the ball entering 2025. Bridgewater returns just six starters on offense and defense, along with just one specialist from a season ago, but the depth chart still features lots of experience. All but two of the Eagles' projected starters for Saturday's matchup with Stevenson are upperclassmen , with the majority getting solid playing time last season. BC returns three All-ODAC selections from a year ago in Brendan Robinson, Andrew Brown and Jaicere Bateman along with the return of former All-American Aaron Nice after a season away from the program.

THE HOV FILE:  Jaicere Bateman returns for his third season in Crimson and Gold after a record-breaking sophomore campaign. The Lynchburg native set the program's single-season completions record (204) and ranked second in the record book in passing attempts (314) and completion percentage (65.0). Bridgewater's projected starting quarterback became just the seventh Eagle to toss for over 2,000 yards in a season and has a chance to become just the third to do so in back-to-back seasons. 

THE DARK SIDE: The Bridgewater defense enters its second season under defensive coordinator Peyton Allen in 2025. The Eagles defensive unit ranked 58th in the country in scoring defense a season ago, allowing just under 20 points per game and were slotted in the top 60 nationally in total defense as well (297.2 yds/game). The calling card of BC's defense last year, however, was the secondary. Bridgewater tallied Div. III's 23rd best defense against the pass, allowing just 158.7 yards per game through the air to rank second in the ODAC. The "Darkside" is led up front by Andrew Brown, along with experience in the secondary anchored by Amari Presley, Elijah Choy and Aaron Nice.

SPECIAL TEAMS MATTER:  The Brdgewater special teams unit has been one of the best in the nation in all facets over the past three seasons. Lats year BC returned a kick and a punt for a touchdown along with returning a blocked punt for a score as well. The Eagles also blocked a field goal as time expired to secure a victory over Shenandoah last season to add to the list. Bridgewater returns one of Div. III's most dangerous return men in Brendan Robinson, who has found the endzone on special teams each of his past three seasons in Crimson and Gold. Tate Leach returns to the squad in 2025 after returning a punt to the house last season, but outside of the returners, the special teams squad will see a new kicker and punter to start the season.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS: Stevenson enters 2025 returning off of a 5-6 campaign a season ago. The Mustangs will be under new leadership as two transfer quarterbacks Jailen Knight and Todd Lattimore return home to compete for the starting job. SU returns two explosive playmakers in Dillon Johnson and Devon Grant to pair with the transfer QB duo along with it's only senior listed on the offensive depth chart at tailback in Louis Clouser. The defense for Stevenson was one of Division III's best in the red zone and ranked just outside of the top-30 nationally in takeaways, but it will be a relatively young group for the Mustangs with just one senior listed as a projected starter.

STEVENSON HEAD COACH:  Ed Hottle is in his 14th season with the Mustangs and his 17th overall as a head coach. 2024 marked just Hottle's second losing season in Owings Mills since 2013, but marked Stevenson's 10th straight season with at least five wins in conference play. Hottle has led Stevenson to 10 straight postseason appearances including a 2016 MAC Championship.  Hottle is also the only head football coach in program history.

SPECIAL TEAMS AGAIN: Stevenson also brings in a well-respected special teams unit as well as the Mustangs did not allow a blocked punt a season ago, much like Bridgewater. Devon Grant ranked among the nation's best, averaging over 20 yards per return and the Mustangs had the second-best punt return unit in the MAC. Stevenson also covered punts well with the 19th-best punt return defense in Division III, but the Mustangs struggled on kickoff coverage as they allowed 23.5 yards per return, which will set up an interesting matchup against Brendan Robinson and the BC return squad.

BOJANGLES: Saturday's game is sponsored by Bojangles. Bojangles will have activation tents on the Jopson Plaza and in the Mapp Field Tailgating lot. The first 100 Bridgewater students to the Bojangles tent in Mapp Field Tailgating Lot will receive a free Bojangles Chicken Sandwich.