SALISBURY — Catawba’s football team had a huge win against Wingate last week, potentially a season-turning win.
The Indians have a chance to build on it at home against Newberry on Saturday night. Kickoff at Shuford Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
Newberry reached the DII semifinals in 2025 and was picked second in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, but that won’t have any effect on this game.
Catawba won’t be playing the 2025 Wolves. Catawba will be playing the 2026 version of the Wolves, who had 19 penalties and allowed 551 yards in a stunning loss to previously winless UVA Wise last week.
Catawba (3-3, 2-2) ended a substantial losing streak against Newberry in 2025 with a 21-10 road win.
Catawba is doing some things well. The Indians were 5-for-5 (all touchdowns) when they reached the red zone against Wingate.
Catawba is pretty balanced offensively and often has been able to control the ball and the clock and make long scoring drives. The Indians are winning TOP by quite a bit for the season.
Newberry’s defense was expected to be the team’s strength, but that obviously wasn’t the case last week.
Newberry (3-2, 1-2) was ranked 15th before the UVA Wise debacle and does some things well. QB Mason Kidd is a high-percentage thrower who can put up 300 passing yards. Newberry averages 292 passing yards per game.
It’s a little bit of a surprise that the Wolves are favored over the Indians by the Massey Ratings, although it’s a slim nod. Newberry is a 3-point favorite with a 27-24 score projection.
Newberry is given a 56-percent win probability, which means the Indians have a 44-percent probability.
With Catawba at home and with the Indians playing much better than Newberry did last week, a lot of people like Catawba’s chances.
If you can’t make the game, Memories 1280 will have the broadcast.
