Ball State University
Georgia Southern
Cardinals Hope to Maintain Momentum While Hosting Tough Georgia Southern
September 18, 2023 | Football
| Ball State (1-2; 0-0 MAC) vs. Georgia Southern | |
| Game 3 - vs. Georgia Southern (2-1; 0-0 Sun Belt) | Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2:00 p.m. Live Stats | ESPN+Â |
| Notes | Ball State | Georgia Southern | Media Center |
| Social Media | X (Twitter)Â | Instagram |
Ball State regained possession of its Victory Bell rivalry trophy in last week's 45-7 win over Indiana State, and this week sets sights on avenging a 34-23 road loss last year at Georgia Southern. Hosting just the second gridiron meeting between the schools, kickoff is 2 p.m. on Saturday. The gameday sponsor is Hillcroft Services.
** Saturday's game is the Cardinals' final tune-up for the Mid-American Conference schedule that begins Sept. 30 at Western Michigan.
** Against the Sycamores, Ball State had room to run for the first time this season, after playing its opening weeks at defensive juggernauts Kentucky and Georgia. Led by Marquez Cooper's 177 rushing yards, the Cardinals collected 288 yards on the ground overall to mark their best rushing effort since a 304-yard home opener vs. Eastern Michigan in 2020.
** Ball State won the turnover battle on Saturday for the first time since beating UConn on Oct. 15 last season. It snapped a string of six straight games without collecting more turnovers than the opposition. Ball State's +2 turnover margin against Indiana State matched their best margin from last season, +2 vs. Murray State.
** Three Ball State running backs scored touchdowns on the ground against the Sycamores. Only Carson Steele scored a rushing touchdown for the Cardinals last season -- 14 of them.
** Defensive headlines against Indiana State: four sacks among eight tackles for loss; a strip sack that produced a 66-yard fumble return for touchdown; a fumble recovery on a punt and an interception for the third straight game. Ball State's defensive depth and experience had its way with the Sycamores, especially in the second half.Â
** For the first time in his young career, true freshman quarterback Kadin Semonza started both halves and played in all four quarters. The youngster finished with 137 yards on 17-of-22 passing, including touchdown throws to Tanner Koziol and Rico Barfield.
WHAT A WIN MEANS:
**Â The Cardinals will even their record at 2-2 and win their first two home games for the first time since beating Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois to open the 2020 home slate.
**Â Mike Neu will capture his 35th victory as head coach of his alma mater, passing Brady Hoke's win total from 2003-08 with the seventh-most career coaching wins at Ball State.
