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KENNESAW, Ga. –  Kennesaw State broke out its smoke gray jerseys for the first time and scored on its first seven possessions of the game in a 48-3 rout of Texas Southern Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The Owls improved to 4-1 with their fourth straight win.
 
Junior QB Chandler Burks scored three rushing touchdowns in the first half as the Owls built a 34-3 lead at the break. Two explosive plays highlighted the second half as Shaquil Terry's returned the half's opening kickoff 97 yards for the first kickoff return touchdown in school history and TJ Reed broke off a 79-yard touchdown rush to cap the scoring.
 
The Owls out-gained Texas Southern (0-5) 484-171 in total yards, including an impressive 346-44 margin on the ground. Burks led the offense with 148 all-purpose yards (74 rushing, 74 passing) and three rushing touchdowns, while the defense compiled four sacks, five tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and two interceptions. Burks has scored five times on the ground over the last two games.
 
"I thought our kids were focused and ready to play tonight," head coach Brian Bohannon said. "We came out ready to play and executed at a high level. We tried to come out in the second half with some energy and had some good things from our special teams tonight."  
 
An interception by Bryson Armstrong, his third this season, set up a Justin Thompson field goal as the Owls extended their lead to 10-0 in the first quarter. On the ensuing drive, Jace White knocked the ball loose and Taylor Henkle scooped up a fumble. Seven plays later, Burks scored for the second time as KSU's lead expanded to 17-0.
 
Two possessions later, Anthony Gore, Jr. picked off his first career pass and the Owls cashed it in when Trey Chivers scored from 12 yards to make it 27-0. Burks' third rushing score with 3:30 left in the second were the final points of the first half.
 
Armstrong led the defense by finishing the night with a team-high 10 tackles, a sack and the interception. Kennesaw State limited Texas Southern to just 39 yards total on its first five possessions of the game – which included all three turnovers.
 
A 32-yard field goal from Aaron Cuevas with 7:26 left in the second quarter were the Tigers only points.
 
TJ Reed finished his career night with a career-high 92 yards rushing, while Burks carried 14 times for 74 yards. Justin Sumpter had a good night with three catches for 92 yards, including a 44-yard grab.
 
The Owls begin their Big South Conference slate next Saturday, trekking to Lynchburg, Va., to challenge Liberty. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.

GAME NOTES

• Redshirt freshman Shaquil Terry returned the second-half's opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. It is both the first kickoff return touchdown in school history, and the longest play in school history. The previous longest kickoff return was 55 yards by Chaston Bennett last season vs. Liberty. The previous longest play was an 84-yared rush by Darnell Holland this season vs. Tennessee Tech.
• Tonight's win allowed the Owls to extend their winning streak to four games, which ties the program's longest winning streak. KSU had two such four-game winning streaks last season.
• Kennesaw State held Texas Southern to 44 yards rushing, including negative-12 yards in the first half. The Owls entered the game as the nation's sixth-best team against the run at 69.0 yards per game allowed.
• TJ Reed recorded a career-high 92 yards rushing on just two attempts, including a career-best 79-yard touchdown run.
• Trey Chivers has scored a rushing touchdown in three of the last four games. The Owls are 7-0 all-time when Chivers reaches the end zone.
• Bert Birdsall racked up 67 yards on six punt returns, including a KSU school record 53-yard return. The previous school record was a 31-yard return by Chaston Bennett last season.
• Kennesaw State intercepted two more passes in Saturday's win – the third of the season by Bryson Armstrong and the first career pick for Anthony Gore, Jr. The team has 11 picks this season and entered the game with the third-most nationally.
• With 10 tackles and one sack, redshirt freshman LB Bryson Armstrong continues to lead the team in both tackles (47) and sacks (6.0). It is his second double-digit tackle game this season, including his KSU single-game record 15 at Alabama State.
• Jace White and Brenton Wimberley each recorded careers highs in tackles with seven each.
• Justin Thompson made good on both of his field goal attempts from 32 and 21 yards. He has made seven straight field goals and eight of his last nine dating back to the season-opener.
• Zach Mitcher (RT) and Izzy Sam (LB) each made their 27^th consecutive starts – they are the only two players to have started every game in program history. 

Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.
 
Keep up with Kennesaw State Athletics by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. You also can follow Kennesaw State football at @KennesawSTFB and The Owls fund on Twitter at @TheOwlsFund.

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