North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Prediction, 3/13/2021 FCS Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs Western Illinois Leathernecks

Date: Saturday, March 13, 2021

Location: Hanson Field in Macomb, IL

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: North Dakota (-19.5)

The Western Illinois Leathernecks (0-2) host the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (3-0) at Hanson Field on Saturday. North Dakota opens this contest as 19.5-point favorites. The O/U opens at 45.5.

The last time the Fighting Hawks took the field they took on the South Dakota Coyotes and won 21-10. Tommy Schuster went 23/35 with 219 yards through the air but didn't get a passing TD in the game. He walked away with 1 interception during the game. Otis Weah paced the team in rushing for that contest. His longest run of the day went for 45 yards and he notched 2 TD's for the game. He ran for 163 yards by way of 16 carries which meant he averaged 10.0 yards per run. Garett Maag was the leader in receiving yardage by earning 75 yards on 3 catches. He averaged 25.0 yards per catch for that contest. The North Dakota Fighting Hawks ended up rushing 40 times and earned a total of 249 yards which gave them an average of 6.2 yards per run. In the game, they ran 76 plays for a total of 489 yards. For the game, the Fighting Hawks had a total of 25 1st downs and they totaled 0 penalties for 0 yards.

When discussing the defense, North Dakota gave up 20 catches on 33 attempts totaling 199 yards, and a completion percentage of 61.0%. In the running game, the Fighting Hawks gave up 129 yards on 33 runs which is an average of 3.9 yards per rushing attempt allowed. On the day, they allowed a total of 328 yards and forced 1 takeaway.

North Dakota has earned 93 points in total and has 13 TDs, while sporting an average of 34:16 minutes of ball control per game. When talking about scoring points, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks hold an average of 31.0 points per contest. In terms of getting first downs, North Dakota has amassed 28 passing first downs and 32 rushing first downs.

In their last game the Leathernecks went up against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and took the defeat by a score of 45-10. Iosefa Pua'auli paced the team on the ground for the game. His longest run of the day went for 14 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He rushed for a total of 44 yards via 14 carries which meant he averaged 3.0 yards per carry. Dallas Daniels was the receiving yardage leader with a total of 111 yards on 6 receptions. He earned an average of 18.5 yards per catch for the game. Connor Sampson went 29/48 with 278 yards through the air and threw 1 touchdown. He gave away 3 picks in the game. The Western Illinois Leathernecks ran the football 24 times and racked up 87 yards which gave them an average of 3.6 yards per carry. Overall, the Leathernecks got 19 first downs and they had 5 infractions for 15 yards. For the game, they ran 77 plays which added up to 382 yards.

When discussing the defense, Western Illinois allowed 14 completions on 23 throws for a total of 203 yards, and a completion percentage of 61.0%. For this contest, they conceded 531 yards and earned 1 takeaway. In the running game, the Leathernecks allowed 328 yards on 43 tries which is an average of 7.6 yards per attempt allowed.

When discussing how much they score, the Leathernecks are scoring 17.0 points per game. Holding an average of 25:06 minutes per game when it comes to time of possession, the Leathernecks have tallied 4 TDs and 34 points on the year. They are sitting with 24 rushing first downs as well as 5 first downs through the air so far this season.

Who will win tonight's FCS game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take North Dakota (-19.5)

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