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Postgame Audio (Head Coach Brian Bohannon)
Postgame Audio (Bronson Rechsteiner)
Postgame Audio (Bryson Armstrong)

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Junior RB Jake McKenzie rushed for a career-high two touchdowns and threw for one more as Kennesaw State rolled up 545 yards of offense, but it wasn't enough as the Owls dropped a narrow, 28-23, setback at No. 19 Samford Thursday night in the 2017 season opener.

McKenzie, a Monroeville, Ala., native, accounted for the Owls' three touchdowns, including a 27-yard pass to sophomore RB TJ Reed late in the fourth quarter to pull the Owls within 28-23, but the Bulldogs held off a late fourth-quarter rally to survive the night. McKenzie finished the night with 48 yards on the ground on 16 carries and 1-for-2 in the air for 27 yards and a score.

After a three-hour weather delay at halftime, Samford (1-0) scored 14 unanswered points to turn a 10-7 deficit into a 21-10 advantage over Kennesaw State (0-1) heading to the final 15 minutes. Trailing by 11, Owls' junior DB Akebren Ralls turned in a key play on special tea,s by blocking a punt deep in the Bulldogs' territory to allow McKenzie and the Owls' offense to pull within 21-17 with 10:49 remaining.

The KSU defense was stout, holding Samford to just 95 yards (67 pass, 28 rush) in the first half. The Owls swarmed the pass-heavy Samford offense, forcing a pair of three-and-outs and five punts in limiting the hosts to seven first-half points.

In return, Kennesaw State's offense controlled the clock, holding the ball for 19:34 of the possible 30 minutes over the first two quarters. The Owls totaled 330 yards, including 205 on the ground, as sophomore RB Bronson Rechsteiner – who logged a game-high 64 rushing yards on nine carries — racked up 55 yards on seven carries in the first half.

Kennesaw State broke the scoreless tilt when McKenzie punched it in from two yards to cap off a 12-play, 92-yard drive that soaked up 5:48 on the clock. The Bulldogs, however, quickly answered with a 4-play, 60 yard TD drive on the ensuing possession.

The 7-7 deadlock was broken when junior kicker Justin Thompson booted an 18-yard field goal to give the visitors a 10-7 lead at halftime.

Reichsteiner, an Acworth, Ga., native, hauled in a career-best 73 yards on two catches and totaled 137 all-purpose yards. Junior QB Chandler Burks tossed for a career-high 225 yards, completing 10-for-22 pass attempts, and junior WR Justin Sumpter hauled in 86 yards on three catches.

Senior LB Izzy Sam led the valiant defensive effort, totaling 10 tackles (8 solo) –one shy of tying his single-game career best—, and Bryson Armstrong tallied seven tackles (5 solo), recovered a fumble and tallied his first career interception. Sam and Paris Bostick, a transfer from Oregon, each logged two tackles for loss.

Kennesaw State out-gained Samford 545-311, including a decisive 293-70 advantage in rushing yards. KSU totaled 23 first downs and held the ball for 36:22.

The Owls return to action next Saturday, hosting Tennessee Tech at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
GAME NOTES

•  Junior RB Jake McKenzie, who was a QB on the roster two seasons ago, accounted for a career-best three Kennesaw State touchdowns – two rushing and one passing. He rushed for KSU's first two scores and threw a 27-yard strike to T.J. Reed with 4:48 left in regulation to pull the Owls within 28-23.
• Redshirt freshman LB Bryson Armstrong had a big night in his KSU debut, accounting for both Kennesaw State turnovers with an interception and a recovered fumble. He finished as the Owls' second-leading tackler with seven stops. He also broke up two other passes.
• Junior QB Chandler Burks established a new career-high in passing yards with 225. He finished 10-of-22 passing. He also rushed 22 times for 63 yards.
•  Sophomore RB Bronson Rechsteiner – a linebacker on the roster last season – made his offensive debut and accounted for a game-best 137 total yards. He rushed nine times for 64 yards and caught two passes for 73 yards.
• Last season, five of 11 Owl opponents failed to surpass 100 yards rushing. Samford had 28 yards at the break, and finished with just 70 yards on the ground.
• The blocked punt for Akebren Ralls was the first of his career. It was the first blocked punt for KSU since Dante Blackmon last year vs. Clark Atlanta and was the third blocked punt in program history.
• Senior LB Izzy Sam collected a team-leading 10 tackles, made two tackles for loss and accounted for one of the Owls two sacks.
•  The Owls' first touchdown of the 2017 season came on the heels of a 12-play, 92-yard drive. KSU had five TD drives of 90 yards last season.
• Kennesaw State held Samford scoreless in the first quarter. It was the 36^th quarter the Owls have blanked an opponent in school history.
• Zach Mitchler (RT) and Izzy Sam (LB) each made their 23^rd consecutive starts tonight. They are the lone two Owls to have started each game in the program's history. Mitcher, Sam, along with Anthony Gore, Jr., Xavier Harper, Taylor Henkle, Darnell Holland, Drew McCracken, Devin Pughsley, Nicolas Snowden and Braylon Young have played in all 23 games in program history.
• The following Owls made their first career starts: RB Shaquil Terry, LG Nick Eldridge, LB Paris Bostick, LB Bryson Armstrong, and CB Dorian Walker. Bostick (Oregon) and Walker (Georgia Tech), while the others are redshirt freshmen.
•  The following Owls made their debuts in the Black & Gold: Dorian Walker, Ezra Naylor, Paris Bostick, Adesola Abisoye, Bert Birdsall, Nicholas Jones, Nick Eldridge, Shaquil Terry, Bryson Armstrong, Dorian Walker,
• Tonight's captains: Izzy Sam and Chandler Burks

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.
 
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