Austin Smith, Top Eastern Michigan vs. Ball State Players to Watch – Week 6

Rynearson Stadium is the venue where the Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-3) will battle the Ball State Cardinals (1-4) on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

Last time out, the Eagles took the loss against the Central Michigan Chippewas, 26-23. In their most recent outing, the Cardinals took on the Western Michigan Broncos and fell short by a final score of 42-24.

Last time out for the Eagles, Austin Smith finished with 20 completions on 26 attempts (76.9%) for 186 yards, throwing one touchdown, plus 19 rushing attempts for 71 yards plus one rushing touchdown. Jaylon Jackson carried the ball 10 times for 62 yards. He also posted two receptions for 32 yards. Tanner Knue caught seven passes for 68 yards with one touchdown.

For the Cardinals in their last game, Layne Hatcher completed 26 of 37 passing attempts (70.3%) and totaled 316 yards through the air, connecting on three touchdown passes. Marquez Cooper had 15 rushing attempts and wound up with 82 yards while also hauling in four receptions for 54 yards. Qian Magwood found paydirt once, and ended the contest with nine catches for 110 yards.

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Eastern Michigan Players to Watch

• This campaign, Smith has recorded 642 passing yards (128.4 yards per game) while completing 67 of 111 passes (60.4% completion percentage), with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He has tacked on 120 rushing yards on 46 carries (plus one touchdown), averaging 24 yards per game.
• Jackson has picked up a team-high 258 rushing yards (51.6 yards per game) and scored one touchdown.
• So far this year Samson Evans has rushed for 242 yards on 47 carries (48.4 ypg), with two rushing touchdowns.
• This season Knue has 22 catches and leads the team with 187 yards (46.8 per game) while hauling in two touchdowns.
• JB Mitchell III’s stat line this year shows 11 catches for 103 yards. He averages 20.6 receiving yards per game.
• Blake Daniels is averaging 25.3 yards per game, racking up nine receptions for 101 yards.

Ball State Players to Watch

• Kadin Semonza leads his team with 480 passing yards (120 per game) and has a 61% completion percentage (50-of-82), throwing three touchdown passes and five interceptions.
• Cooper has racked up a team-best 316 rushing yards (63.2 per game) and one touchdown.
• Kiael Kelly has run for 87 yards on 23 carries (17.4 yards per game) this year.
• Magwood has hauled in 24 receptions for 241 yards, best on his team, and one touchdown. He averages 48.2 receiving yards per game.
• Tanner Koziol has added 20 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown.
• This season Ahmad Edwards has caught 10 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown, averaging 38.3 receiving yards per game.

Eastern Michigan Recent Stat Leaders

• As part of the Eagles’ defensive unit, Barry Manning has posted in their last three games.
• As part of the Eagles’ defense, Jackson has totaled in their last three games.
• The Eagles’ defensive unit has been helped in their last three games by the play of Justin Jefferson, who has amassed 11 tackles.
• Tristen Hines, as part of the Eagles’ defensive unit, has recorded 11 tackles in their last three games.

Ball State Recent Stat Leaders

• In the Cardinals’ last three outings, Derek Fields has posted 11 tackles.
• For the Cardinals in their last three outings, Koziol has recorded 11 tackles.
• The Cardinals’ Nathan Reichert has posted 11 tackles in the Cardinals’ last three games.
• On defense, Nate Pedraza has supplied 11 tackles for the Cardinals in their last three games.

Eastern Michigan vs. Ball State Odds

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Team Stat Comparison

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