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KENNESAW, Ga. – Junior QB Chandler Burks compiled 213 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and Kennesaw State backed a stout defensive effort with 17 second-quarter points to defeat Gardner-Webb, 17-3, Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
Jake McKenzie surpassed 100-yard rushing for the second straight week as the nation's best rushing team rolled up 319 yards on the ground in winning their sixth straight game to extend a school record. The victory also secures the Owls (6-1, 2-0) third winning season in three tries. The 6-1 start is the program's best start to a season.
 
Burks got hot in the second quarter, totaling 151 yards (109 pass, 42 rush) and both touchdowns as the Owls built a 17-0 halftime advantage. The junior quarterback from Douglasville, Ga., finished the night 6-for-14 passing with 144 yards and a touchdown and carried 12 times for 69 yards and another score to pace the offense.
 
"Gardner-Webb had a little bit different scheme tonight," Burks said. "They came out ready to play and were flying around all night. We didn't match their enthusiasm and energy, but the defense won the game for us."
 
Gardner-Webb (1-6, 0-1) was held scoreless until a 23-yard field goal with 11:07 remaining in the third quarter made it 17-3. The defense held the visitors to 248 yards of offense and 3-for-13 on third-down conversions. The Owls limited GWU QB Tyrell Maxwell, the Big South's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, to just 11-of-28 passing for 114 yards and 60 yards rushing.
 
"It's always good to win, I can tell you that," head coach Brian Bohannon said. "I'm awfully proud of our defense. I can't say enough about our defense, and I thought they went out and played really well tonight. They did a good job of containing Gardner-Webb and a preseason all-conference caliber player."
 
The Owls, who entered the night second in the nation in interceptions and fifth in turnovers gained, racked up three more interceptions. Akebren Ralls had his first interceptions of the season, while Jace White also joined KSU's pick party. The team has 15 this season, coming from eight different Owls.
 
Both of Ralls interceptions came deep in the Owls' territory with GWU threatening to score. White's pick helped seal the win in the game's final four minutes.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, a 36-yard field goal by junior K Justin Thompson early in the second quarter opened the scoring. The Owls' following possession ended in a 53-yard touchdown strike from Burks to junior WR Xavier Harper with 11:33 remaining in the half.
 
Burks' one-yard touchdown run capped a 71-yard drive to give the Owls a 17-0 lead in the closing seconds of the half.
 
Kennesaw State outgained Gardner-Webb 463-248 in total yards, including a 319-147 advantage on the ground. Bronson Rechsteiner had a career-high 14 carries and gained 60 yards. Burks completed six passes to five different receivers.

Kennesaw State returns to action next Saturday when it begins at two-game road swing at Presbyterian. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. and the game is live on Peachtree TV.
 
GAME NOTES

• The win over Gardner-Webb extends the Owls' winning streak to a school-record six games. It also represents the program's third win in as many tries over GWU.
• Tonight's win marked head coach Brian Bohannon's 20^th career victory as his record improved to 20-9.
• Junior RB Jake McKenzie posted his second straight 100-yard rushing game, gaining a career-best 119 yards on 22 carries. It is his second straight 100-yard game.
• Kennesaw State, which entered the night with the nation's second-most interceptions (12), picked off three more passes in the win. Akebren Ralls had the first two of his career, while Jace White had the third.
• The Owls have had at least one interceptions in every game this season.
• Justin Thompson's field goal to open the scoring extended his streak to eight consecutive made field goals. The streak was snapped when he misfired on an attempt from 51 yards. Two of his three misses this season have been from 50+.
• The Owls converted their first two Red Zone trips of the night to extend their streak of successful Red Zone trips to 21. KSU finished the night 2-for-4 in the Red Zone to snap their streak at 21.
• Kennesaw State's first touchdown of the night was a 53-yard pass from Chandler Burks to Xavier Harper. It was Harper's first TD catch this season (fourth career) and Burks' fourth TD pass this season.
• Zach Mitcher (RT) and Izzy Sam (LB) each made their 29th consecutive starts – they are the only two players to have started every game in program history.
• Tonight's captains: Jake McKenzie, Tonarius Portress and Jordan Genovese.

-#GoKSUOwls-