Healthy Smith could be a handful

Quarterback gives Campbell’s offense dual-threat element.

If healthy enough to play in Saturday’s matchup at Kennesaw State, Campbell quarterback Daniel Smith’s arm and mobility could pose a unique challenge to the Owls’ young defense.

While on a two-game losing streak, Campbell (5-3, 0-2 Atlantic Sun) has outscored opponents 232-175, averaging 29 points through eight games. However, the Camels have struggled over their past two games, both against conference opponents, as they were outscored 73-28 by Monmouth and Gardner-Webb.

Much of the Camels’ success on offense this season has to do with the versatil- ity of Smith.

Smith, who did not play in Saturday’s loss to Gardner-Webb because of an injury suffered against Monmouth, averages about 200 passing yards and 70 rush- ing yards this season. With a 58 percent completion percentage through seven games, Smith has thrown for 1,397 yards, 12 touch- downs and three intercep- tions this season and is the team’s leading rusher, totaling 495 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“They do s ome good things on offense, and they’re able to use him in different ways. … The kid’s a good player. When you look back, they’ve been able to score some points,” Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon said at his news conference Tuesday.

B ackup quarterback Jayson DeMild started Saturday against Gardner-Webb and had 279 yards, one touchdown and two inter- ceptions in the loss. DeMild has played in five games this season and holds a 51.3 completion percentage, totaling 445 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Bohnannon said he is expecting Smith to be healthy for Saturday’s game.

Bohannon couldn’t think of an accurate comparison with Smith that the Owls have seen so far this season, but statistically, Smith is most similar to Samford quarterback Devlin Hodges, who Kennesaw State faced in late September.

In Kennesaw State’s 24-10 win over Samford — the Owls’ tightest FCS win of the season — Hodges was limited to 150 passing yards and a team-high of 45 rushing yards on 13 carries. Hodges, significantly less mobile than Smith, entered the matchup with Kennesaw State averaging 365.5 pass- ing yards and 19 rushing yards.

This season, Kennesaw State (7-1, 3-0) has limited opponents to 12.1 points and conference opponents to an average of 9.0 points. The Owls’ defense has also limited opponents to 114.4 rushing yards and 140 passing yards over their eight games.

Campbell is averaging 167.9 rushing yards and 230.3 passing yards enter- ing Saturday’s game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.