D-Line Shines Again, With Improved Play from Offense in Scrimmage #2
August 19, 2023 | Football
The star of Ball State's second fall camp scrimmage was the Cardinals' front seven defensive unit for the second straight week, but a highlight was the improved play and consistency from Cardinal quarterbacks and receivers.
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In a scrimmage situation with limited use and contact involving running backs, 12 of 14 series were guided by drop-back passers Kadin Semonza and Layne Hatcher.
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Semonza, who directed the day's first two series, completed 11 of 19 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Among his five series on the afternoon, his longest pass was a 28-yard strike to Tanner Koziol on the end of a double-reserve which featured Kiael Kelly at quarterback. Semonza's lone TD came on a 12-yard swing pass to running back Marquez Cooper.
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Hatcher, who was sluggish a week ago, engineered three touchdown drives among his seven series. He finished 16-of-20 passing for 171 yards – with the bulk came on a 37-yard crossing pattern for touchdown to Ahmad Edwards, and a 3-play, 67-yard drive to end the afternoon. The Cards' final play featured a 35-yard TD from Hatcher to Nick Presley.
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The first score of the day came on an 18-yard scamper by Charlie Spegal, ending a nine-play drive with Hatcher behind center.
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But aside from the offense and unofficial passing and receiving statistics, the defensive line made play after play. With Kyle King, Kyron Mims and James Makszin as its most notable stars, the defensive line totaled four sacks and deflected five passes from the line of scrimmage. King was a part of two sacks and two deflections, Mims shared both sacks and deflected another.
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Makszin, a transfer from Rhode Island who deflected a pass in last week's scrimmage, got his paws on another and shared a sack with Brandon Berger and Dakari Frazier. John Harris batted down another throw for the defense, and Ethan Evers collected the game's only turnover after corralling another tipped pass.
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With Ball State classes beginning on Monday, the Cardinals have a final week of practice before beginning preparation for Week 1 at Kentucky on Sept. 2.
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In a scrimmage situation with limited use and contact involving running backs, 12 of 14 series were guided by drop-back passers Kadin Semonza and Layne Hatcher.
Â
Semonza, who directed the day's first two series, completed 11 of 19 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Among his five series on the afternoon, his longest pass was a 28-yard strike to Tanner Koziol on the end of a double-reserve which featured Kiael Kelly at quarterback. Semonza's lone TD came on a 12-yard swing pass to running back Marquez Cooper.
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Hatcher, who was sluggish a week ago, engineered three touchdown drives among his seven series. He finished 16-of-20 passing for 171 yards – with the bulk came on a 37-yard crossing pattern for touchdown to Ahmad Edwards, and a 3-play, 67-yard drive to end the afternoon. The Cards' final play featured a 35-yard TD from Hatcher to Nick Presley.
Â
The first score of the day came on an 18-yard scamper by Charlie Spegal, ending a nine-play drive with Hatcher behind center.
Â
But aside from the offense and unofficial passing and receiving statistics, the defensive line made play after play. With Kyle King, Kyron Mims and James Makszin as its most notable stars, the defensive line totaled four sacks and deflected five passes from the line of scrimmage. King was a part of two sacks and two deflections, Mims shared both sacks and deflected another.
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Makszin, a transfer from Rhode Island who deflected a pass in last week's scrimmage, got his paws on another and shared a sack with Brandon Berger and Dakari Frazier. John Harris batted down another throw for the defense, and Ethan Evers collected the game's only turnover after corralling another tipped pass.
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With Ball State classes beginning on Monday, the Cardinals have a final week of practice before beginning preparation for Week 1 at Kentucky on Sept. 2.
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Players Mentioned
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