HANOVER, Ind. – The Hanover Panthers look to put an exclamation point on the 2025 season with the playing of the 95^th annual Victory Bell Game against Franklin on Saturday. The Panthers claimed the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season title with a 48-0 win at Bluffton earlier this season.
 
VICTORY BELL GAME
Hanover leads the all-time Victory Bell series with Franklin 48-43-3, and the winners of the last three meetings. Despite the recent success, Hanover has struggled at home, trailing the Grizzlies 5-2 overall since 2010.
 
Head Coach Matt Theobald holds a 6-3 record against Franklin at the helm of the Panthers, while his counterpart Mike Leonard, 1984 Hanover Graduate, has a 13-2 record against Hanover.
 
The Panthers' largest margin of victory, 51-0, came in 1948, with Franklin's last win in Alumni Stadium coming in 2010.
 
THE 2024 GAME
Hanover had a fantastic outing at Franklin, combining for 427 yards of offense, led by junior Eian Roudebush under center. The quarterback threw for 302 yards with three passing touchdowns. He also added 51 yards on the ground and a score.
 
Junior Curbrian Shelby hauled in three receptions for 65 yards and one score.
 
Senior Garron Jenkins dominated the defensive effort with 10 total tackles, six of which were solo stops, and one tackle for loss.
 
NCAA PLAYOFF BERTH
Hanover claimed their first HCAC Title since 2019 with a win at Bluffton on Saturday, Nov. 1, 48-0. With the Title, the Panthers claim the league's automatic qualifier into the 2025 NCAA Playoffs.
 
The Panther defense is among the best in Division III, ranking 11th in fewest total yards (2,033), yards per play (4.03), and opponent touchdowns allowed (13). The passing defense ranks 17th in fewest yards per game (143.8).
 
Offensively, Hanover ranks 22nd in Division III in yards per game (288.4), total passing yards (2,596), and passing touchdowns (27). They also rank 13th in passing efficiency (177.9).
 
HCAC STATS
Hanover leads the HCAC in average yards per game (537.0), average yards per play (8.0), total yards (2,685), and touchdowns (37).
 
The defense ranks first in fewest yards allowed per game (170.6), touchdowns (5), average yards per play (3.0), passing yards (636), and rushing yards (217).
 
Junior Eian Roudebush ranks first in passing efficiency (207.7), while Curbrian Shelby ranks first in receiving yards per game (116.6), receptions per game (6.8), and yards (583).
 
NCAA SELECTION SHOW
The NCAA Division III Playoff Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16 at 5:00 PM. The link can be found on the NCAA landing page and will reveal the Panthers' first-round matchup.

VICTORY BELL GAME SPONSORED BY: Indiana Donor Network