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Florida Atlantic Owls Look to Continue Winning Streak Against UMass Minutemen, Matthew Hayball Shines

The Florida Atlantic Owls are gearing up for an exciting matchup against the UMass Minutemen on November 21st at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 PM UTC and will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network.


Sep 23, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA;  Florida Atlantic Owls quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) passes during the fist half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Owls have been on a roll lately, winning their previous three games. One player who has been instrumental in their success is Matthew Hayball, the team's punter. In the last game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Hayball showcased his exceptional skills by punting for 193 yards, with an average of 48.3 yards per punt. He also managed to pin the Hilltoppers inside their own 20-yard line once.


Another standout performer for the Owls is Chris Jones, who plays as a linebacker. In the same game against Western Kentucky, Jones recorded one tackle and provided solid defensive support throughout the match.


Korel Smith, a cornerback for the Owls, has also been making his presence felt on the field. In their previous game, Smith made two tackles and assisted in one more. His contributions were crucial in limiting the Hilltoppers' offensive opportunities.


Caliph Brice and Ashton McNeal have been key players in the Owls' defense as well. Brice, a linebacker, made seven tackles and assisted in one more during their last game. McNeal, a cornerback, contributed with one tackle and provided solid coverage throughout the match.


On offense, Willie Wright has been a reliable wide receiver for Florida Atlantic. In their most recent game against Western Kentucky, Wright caught one pass for a total of one yard.


Looking at the overall performance of these players over the past three games, it is evident that they have consistently delivered exceptional performances for Florida Atlantic. Matthew Hayball's punting skills have been crucial in flipping the field position in favor of the Owls, while Chris Jones, Korel Smith, Caliph Brice, and Ashton McNeal have been instrumental in limiting their opponents' offensive opportunities.


In addition to these standout performers, it is worth mentioning the contributions of other players such as Evan Anderson, Armani-Eli Adams, and Jordan Helm on defense. Anderson, a defensive lineman, recorded three tackles and assisted in one more during their previous game. Adams and Helm, both safeties, made two tackles each and provided solid support in the secondary.


On offense, Daniel Leconte has been a reliable running back for the Owls. In their last game against Western Kentucky, Leconte rushed for 58 yards on 8 carries with an average of 7.3 yards per carry.


BJ Emmons has also made significant contributions to Florida Atlantic's rushing attack. In their previous game, Emmons rushed for 88 yards on 9 carries with an impressive average of 9.8 yards per carry.


The passing game has been led by quarterback Javion Posey and wide receiver T.J. Chase. Posey has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for a total of 80 yards and two touchdowns in their last game against Western Kentucky. Chase caught three passes for a total of 28 yards.


Based on the performance of these players over the past three games, it is clear that Florida Atlantic Owls have a strong roster capable of making an impact on both offense and defense.


As they prepare to face off against the UMass Minutemen, the Owls will look to build upon their recent success and continue their winning streak. With standout performers like Matthew Hayball leading the way on special teams and players like Chris Jones and Korel Smith making key plays on defense, Florida Atlantic has a solid foundation to rely upon.


However, the UMass Minutemen should not be underestimated. While they have faced some challenges this season, players like George Georgopoulos, Mike Ruane, and Jake Byczko have shown their skills and can potentially make an impact on the game.


The upcoming matchup between Florida Atlantic Owls and UMass Minutemen promises to be an exciting one. Fans can tune in to CBS Sports Network to catch all the action on November 21st at 1:00 PM UTC.

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