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KENNESAW, Ga. – Junior QB Chandler Burks punched in the go-ahead touchdown with 16 seconds remaining to lift Kennesaw State to a 38-34 win over North Greenville Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
The program's first go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of a game came on the heels of a 12-play, 74-yard drive that soaked up 4:43 off the clock, leaving North Greenville with just seconds left. Keon Roman's second pick of the night sealed the deal on NGU's ensuing drive.
 
The back-and forth contest saw the lead change hands four times, including twice in the final five minutes before the Owls (3-1) prevailed for their third straight win. The Crusaders fell to 3-2.
 
"We kept fighting tonight and it wasn't pretty, but we found a way to win," said head coach Brian Bohannon. "We took the ball 75 yards with the game on the line and found a way to win. We have to continue to focus on playing for a full four quarters and there are things from tonight we will learn from."
 
Trailing 28-16 late in the third quarter, North Greenville's Will Hunter found Christian Bruce for a nine-yard touchdown pass. The visitors closed the gap to two at 28-26 early in the fourth with a 27-yard field goal.
 
The Owls answered with a 42-yard field goal from Justin Thompson with 9:15 left, but NGU had one more response. Hunter, who finished 22-of-34 passing for 283 yards and three TDs, found Robbie Brown for a 33-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-18 to take a 34-31 lead with 5:04 to play.
 
Burks did the heavy lifting on the game-winning touchdown drive, completing both of his passes for 30 yards and rushing seven times for 21 yards. The junior QB from Douglasville, Ga., converted a key third down with a 13-yard pass to Justin Sumpter and punched in the game-winning score on third-and-goal from the one.
 
Burks finished the day throwing for 111 yards and a touchdown, and rushing 22 times for 100 yards and his first two rushing scores of the season. His fifth career 100-yard rushing game.
 
North Greenville, which reached the Division-II quarterfinals last season, scored on its first possession, but the Owls responded with three straight touchdowns from Burks, Bronson Rechsteiner and Trey Chivers to seize a 21-7 lead early in the second.
 
It was 21-16 at the break as the Crusaders scored the half's final nine points. After exchanging punts to open the second half, sophomore back-up QB Daniel David led an impressive 15-play, 69-yard drive that ate up 7:36 on the clock to make it 28-16. He capped the drive with a one-yard rush late in the third.
 
Kennesaw State out-gained North Greenville 448-347 in the game, including a decisive 315-47 on the ground.
 
The Owls return to The Nest next Saturday, welcoming non-conference foe Texas Southern to Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

GAME NOTES

• Junior QB Chandler Burks scored the Owls' go-ahead touchdown with a one-yard rush with 16 seconds remaining in the game. It was the program's first lead-changing touchdown to be scored in the final minute.
• Junior RB Trey Chivers has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games – rushing scores versus Tennessee Tech and Alabama State and a 26-yard reception today. It marked his first career receiving TD.
• Redshirt freshman LB Bryson Armstrong recorded the Owls' second blocked kick of the season as he swatted away a North Greenville PAT attempt in the second quarter. It was KSU's second blocked kick this season (Adesola Abisoye blocked a punt at Samford).
• It stands as the fourth blocked kick in school history and the first blocked PAT.
• Senior DB Keon Roman had a pair of interceptions in the game – his second consecutive game with two interceptions. As a team, Kennesaw State has nine interceptions this season, and entered the weekend as the national leader in interceptions.
• Sophomore RB Bronson Rechsteiner scored his first touchdown as an Owl with an 18-yard rush in the first quarter.
• Redshirt freshman RB Shaquil Terry's 61-yard rush that set up Kennesaw State's first touchdown was his longest carry as an Owl and the second-longest rush from scrimmage this season.
• Zach Mitchler (RT) and Izzy Sam (LB) each made their 26th consecutive starts today. 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, and Nicolas Snowden have played in all 26 games in program history.
• Today's captains: Matthew Frank, Bryson Armstrong and Drew McCracken.

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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