GAME 5: Kennesaw State (3-1) vs. Point (5-1)
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Fifth Third Bank Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga.
WATCH: Big South Network | Brian Katrek (PxP) | Jimmy Robinson (Analyst)
LISTEN: Audio | Brian Giffin (PxP) | Tutan Reyes (Analyst) | Art Eckman (Sideline)
LINKS: Big South Network | Live Stats | Game Notes (KSU) | Game Notes (Point) Twitter | #WitnessKSU
MEDIA: Media Center | Information Guide | Roster | Owls Insight Podcast 
SERIES HISTORY: First Meeting
LAST MEETING: First Meeting

GAMEDAY CENTRAL





THIS WEEK: Following its bye week, Kennesaw State will return to action this weekend when it hosts Point on Saturday (Oct. 10) at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
 
The Owls are currently 3-1 on the season after falling at Dayton, 31-27, on Sept. 26.
 
ON THE AIR: Saturday's game can be heard live at www.KSUOwls.com with Brian Giffin, Tutan Reyes and Art Eckman describing the action. A live video stream will also be available at www.bigsouthsports.com with Brian Katrek and Jimmy Robinson providing play-by-play and analysis, respectively.
 
HOMECOMING WEEKEND: Kennesaw State University will be celebrating Homecoming this week with Saturday's football game highlighting the schedule of events.
 
It will also be the "Blackout" game as all fans are encouraged to where to black. The official 2015 Homecoming t-shirts are on sale now at the KSU Bookstore on online at bookstore.kennesaw.edu.
 
Friday night's Homecoming activities include a parade (4 p.m.), pep rally (5 p.m.) at the ARC Amphitheatre, and the Icona Pop concert at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.whereKENNESAWplays.com).
 
A full Homecoming Schedule available at kennesaw.edu/homecoming
 
PROTECTING THE NEST: Kennesaw State will be looking to remain unbeaten at home when it hosts Point on Saturday. The Owls are currently 2-0 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium following wins over Edward Waters and Shorter.
 
NAIA OPPONENTS: Point will mark the second NAIA opponent the Owls will play this season. KSU met Edward Waters in its inaugural home game and posted a 58-7 victory.
 
Owls Play at FCS Level: Kennesaw State plays at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. KSU joined the Big South Conference as an associate member on Sept. 4, 2013.
 
A Look Ahead: The Owls will open Big South Conference play next weekend when they return to Fifth Third Bank Stadium to host Gardner-Webb. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. 
 
SCOUTING POINT
• Point is currently 5-1 on the season, including a 2-0 mark in The Sun Conference. The Skyhawks compete in the NAIA.
• Head coach Mike McCarty is in his 1st season at Point after spending the previous six years at West Alabama where he coached the running backs, tight ends, linebackers and special teams.
• The Skyhawks are averaging 438.5 yards a game (188.2 rushing; 250.6 passing)
• Senior QB Charles Fortis leads the offense, completing 90 of 145 passes for 1,187 yards and 15 touchdowns while playing in all five games. He was named The Sun Conference's Offensive Player of the Week after connecting on 18 of 27 passes for 273 and three touchdowns and rushing for 13 yards and a score in a 48-21 victory over Warner last week.
• The Skyhawks are averaging 42.2 points a contest and have scored 36 or more points in four of their five games.
• Points defense is surrendering 33.6 points a game and 445.2 yards a game, including 252.0 yards on the ground.
 
DAYTON REVIEW  
• After jumping out to a 13-0 advantage and a 27-20 halftime lead, the Owls were held scoreless in the second half and fell 31-27.
• DB Marcus Thurman thwarted Dayton's opening drive with first career interception in the end zone
• RB Chaston Bennett ran 80 yards for a TD on Owls' first offensive play from scrimmage
• Bennett rushed for a season-high 155 yards
• QB Trey White carried ball 25 times for 128 yards rushing
• White and Bennett became first KSU tandem to rush for 100 yards in same game
• LB Kyron Minter had his first career interception
• S Taylor Henkle tallied season-high 10 tackles
 
DEBUT PROGRAMS IN 2015: Kennesaw State is one of four institutions who have debuted football in 2015. Along with the Owls, East Tennessee State (FCS), Finlandia University (Division III), located in Hancock, Mich. and Lyon College (NAIA) in Batesville, Ark. started football programs this fall.
 
The Owls are off to a 3-1 start. East Tennessee State is currently 0-5, while Finlandia is 1-4 and Lyon College is 0-5.
 
Team Notes
• The 56 points scored by the Owls in their opener at East Tennessee State are the most scored by a debuting Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program dating back to 2008, and the 40-point margin of victory is the second largest during that time.
• Kennesaw State is the sixth different program to win its first game as a member of the Big South Conference
• KSU is the only FCS program since 2008 to score 50-plus points in each of its first two games
• Kennesaw State is one of just three FCS programs since 2008 to begin its history 3-0, joining Mercer (4-0; 2013) and Old Dominion (3-0; 2009)
• The Owls are the first time in Big South Conference history to begin a season 3-0 in their first year in the conference
 
National Team Rankings
• The Kennesaw State offense ranks first in the FCS in yards per pass completions (24.88) and is fourth in rushing offense, averaging 324 yards a game. The Owls are also one of two teams (Harvard) in the country to now allow a sack.
• KSU is tied for 10th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 39.8 points a game
• The Kennesaw State defense ranks No. 3 in passing yards allowed (130.5) and No. 5 in total defense (273.5).
 
National Individual Rankings
• Wide receiver Justin Sumpter is first in the nation in yards per reception (34.0)
• Defensive back Derrick Farrow ranks third in the country with three forced fumbles
 
Miscellaneous Notes
• Quick Strike Offense: The Owls have scored on the first drive in each of their first four games, scoring three touchdowns and making a field goal.
• For the second time in three weeks, KSU scored on its first offensive play as Chsaton Bennett ran 80 yards for a touchdown on the Owls' opening play from scrimmage at Dayton (Sept. 26). QB Trey White and WR Justin Sumpter hooked up on 55-yard scoring play versus Edward Waters.
• Kennesaw State has scored a defensive or special teams touchdown in three of its first four games and has forced at least one turnover in all four games.
• The Owls have rushed for more than 300 yards in three of four games and have totaled at least 230 yards in all four games
• KSU's defense has twice recorded two interceptions in a game (at ETSU and at Dayton) and has at least one pick in all four games. The defense has also twice recorded four sacks in a game (Shorter, at Dayton) and has one sack in all four games.
• Six different players (Trey White, Jae Bowen, Chaston Bennett, Trey Chivers, Darnell Holland and Jake McKenzie) have scored rushing touchdowns.
• The Owls have three rushing scores of 46 or more yards
• Wide receiver Justin Sumpter has pass receptions of 69, 55 and 46 yards.
 
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Kennesaw State has wasted little time introducing itself to its opponents. The Owls have outscored their opponent 61-10 in the first quarter through their first four games. KSU scored a season-high 35 points in the first 15 minutes versus Edward Waters. Meanwhile, Kennesaw State has allowed just one first-quarter touchdown (at Dayton) and twice held an opponent (Edward Waters, Shorter) scoreless in the first quarter.
 
WINNING RETURNS: Through its first four games, Kennesaw State has four touchdown returns by its defense and special teams. When redshirt freshman linebacker Dez Billingslea returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the game against Shorter (Sept. 19), it was the third of the season for the Owls and tied a Big South Conference single-season record. 
 
JUST FOR KICKS: Freshman placekicker Justin Thompson tied a Big South Conference single-game record with four (42, 26, 40, 28) made field goals versus Shorter on Saturday (Sept. 12), including the game-winner with under two minutes remaining. His 12 points gave him 30 for the season that tie him for fifth nationally.
 
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE HONORS: Kennesaw State junior defensive back Derrick Farrow became the first Owl to earn a Big South Conference honor when was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14 following an impressive performance versus Edward Waters on Sept. 12. Farrow was a disruptive and dominating force during the Owls' 58-7 victory as he recorded a team-high five tackles and three forced fumbles, including one that led directly to a touchdown and one that prevented a score.
 
A NIGHT OF FIRSTS: The Owl's 56-16 win over East Tennessee State on Sept. 3 marked a night of firsts in the history of the Kennesaw State football program. Here is a list of a few of the firsts:
 
• First Offensive Play: Trey White 4-yard rush
• First Touchdown: Trey White 6-yard run (1st quarter)
• First Passing Touchdown: White 69 yards to Justin Sumpter (3rd quarter)
• First Defensive Tackle: Taylor Henkle (1st quarter)
• First Defensive Touchdown: Nick Perrotta 19-yard INT return (2nd quarter)
 
OFFENSIVE NOTES:
• Kennesaw State's 417 yards of offense versus Shorter marked the third straight game of totaling more than 375 yards of offense.
• The Owls were held without a touchdown in the first half for the first time this season versus Shorter. Justin Thompson made two field goals to account for all six KSU points.
 
INDIVIDUAL OFFENSIVE NOTES:
• RBs Jae Bowen (2-41) and Chaston Bennett (1-14) had their first career receptions versus Shorter (Sept. 19).
• Justin Thompson's 42-yard field on the opening drive versus Shorter (Sept. 19) marked the third straight game the Owls have scored on their first possession of the game. Thompson also tied a single-game Big South Conference record with four made field goals (42,26,40,28).
• Justin Sumpter's 114 yards receiving on four catches in the first half versus Shorter (Sept. 19) represented the first 100-yard receiving day for a KSU receiver. He finished the game with 5 catches for 121 yards.
• Micah Reed rushed 26 times for 100 yards versus Shorter (Sept. 19) to become the first KSU player to gain 100 yards rushing.
• Quarterback Trey White established season-highs for pass completions (9), attempts (16) and yards (186) versus Shorter (Sept. 19).
 
INAUGURAL GAME OFFENSIVE NOTES:
• Kennesaw State had five touchdown drives of 50 or more yards, including four of 65 yards or more
• The 56 points are the most scored by a debuting FCS program dating back to 2008, and the 40-point win is the second largest during that same time period. KSU is one of just two teams to open against another FCS program among 10 institutions that have started a program. Charlotte, which debuted as an FCS program and has since moved to the FBS level, defeated Campbell, 52-7, in 2013.
• The 56 points by the Owls tied for the fifth most scored in FCS play during the opening weekend and led Big South Conference teams
• The 512 total yards gained led Big South Conference teams and KSU's 416 yards rushing were the third-highest total nationally
 
DEFENSIVE NOTES:
• Kennesaw State allowed a season-low 27 rushing yards against Shorter
• The KSU defense has limited three of its first four opponents to less than 140 yards passing, including a season-low 41 yards versus Edward Waters (Sept. 12) that ties for the eighth-fewest allowed in the FCS this year.
• Two of Kennesaw State's four opponents have failed to rush for 100 yards. The Owls limited East Tennessee State (98) and Shorter (27) to under 100 yards. Opponents are averaging just 3.5 yards a rush against the Owls.
• Kennesaw State became the first team in Big South Conference history to return two fumbles for touchdowns in the same game when Izzy Sam (11 yards) and McKenzie Billingslea (18 yards) each achieved the feat against Edward Waters (Sept. 12).
 
INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE NOTES:
• Junior defensive back Derrick Farrow's three forced fumbles versus Edward Waters on Sept. 12 is an FCS single-game high in 2015. He ranks third in the country in total forced fumbles.
• Senior DL Mason Harris ranks 10th in the country with two forced fumbles. He also leads the Owls with 6.5 tackles for loss totaling 38 yards.
• S Taylor Henkle leads Kennesaw State with 20 tackles and 2 pass breakups
• Taylor Henke recorded his first career interception Saturday versus Shorter.
 
INAUGURAL DEFENSIVE GAME NOTES:
• Redshirt junior defensive lineman Nick Perrotta had a game-changing 19-yard interception return for a TD late in the second quarter that gave the Owls a 21-13 lead. He finished with four tackles, including two for loss.
• Kennesaw State limited ETSU to 98 rushing yards (2.6 yards per carry)
• Redshirt senior defensive lineman Mason Harris tied for the team lead with seven tackles, including three for loss and a sack for 10 yards. He also had two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
• Redshirt freshman Taylor Henkle tied for the team lead with seven tackles, including one for loss, and had a pass breakup. He also recorded the first defensive tackle in program history.
• Redshirt defensive back Dante' Blackmon had four tackles and returned an interception 23 yards.
 
SMASHING DEBUT: Kennesaw State is the sixth different program to win its first game as members of the Big South Conference, joining Gardner-Webb and Elon in 2002, Coastal Carolina in 2003, Stony Brook in 2008 and Monmouth in 2014. Meanwhile, the Owls' 56 points at East Tennessee State was the most scored by a Big South member in a season opener against an FCS opponent, and the fourth-most points
scored overall in an opening game of a season since the league's formation in 2002.
 
OWLS FLY INTO BIG SOUTH RECORD BOOK: One game into its history, Kennesaw State immediately wrote itself into the Big South Conference record book:
• The Owls' 416 yards and six touchdowns rushing in their debut game against East Tennessee marked just the 10th time in league history that a football member gained at least 415 yards on the ground with six rushing TDs. The last to do it was Presbyterian on Sept. 6, 2014 against Bluefield (523/7). KSU's performance was just the fifth such effort against an FCS opponent.
 
A LOOK AT THE ROSTER: As a startup program, Kennesaw State will feature a young team that is dominated by freshmen and redshirt freshmen. Of the 105 players listed on the Owls roster, 73 are either true freshmen (20) or redshirt freshmen (53). The roster also includes 11 sophomores, 16 juniors and five seniors.
 
THE SENIORS: The five seniors on the Kennesaw State roster include Chaz Cheeks (DL, Gainesville, Ga. / Georgia Tech), Brett Gillespie (OL, Kennesaw, Ga. / North Greenville), Ryan Godhigh (RB, Acworth, Ga. / Harrison HS), Mason Harris (DL, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. / South Carolina) and Prentice Stone (Marietta, Ga. / Eastern Kentucky). 
 
TRYOUT TO THE TWO-DEEP: A handful of players who took part in tryouts over the last year and a half, have made significant impressions on the coaching staff and earned their way onto the two-deep. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Brett Gillespie, redshirt junior defensive lineman Nick Perrotta, redshirt sophomore linebacker Izzy Sam and redshirt senior Ryan Godhigh were part of the initial tryout on March 22, 2014. Additionally, redshirt senior PJ Stone (wide receiver) and redshirt freshman defensive back Shawn Reynolds have gone from tryout hopefuls to earning spots on the Owls two-deep.
 
LEADING THE WAY: Redshirt freshman quarterback Chandler Burks (Douglasville, Ga. / South Paulding HS) became the first recruit to verbally commit to Kennesaw State when he let head coach Brian Bohannon know of his intentions to attend KSU in the summer of 2013. He also was the first signee after inking his name to a National Letter-of-Intent on Feb. 5, 2014. Burks was one of 29 players who were part of the initial signing class.
 
A GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE: Kennesaw State will face a challenging schedule during its inaugural season. Six of the Owls' 10 opponents posted winning records in 2014, including five of six Big South Conference teams. Non-conference foe Dayton (8-3), along with Big South rivals Liberty (9-5), Monmouth (6-5), Charleston Southern (8-4), Coastal Carolina (12-2) and Presbyterian (6-5) all were on the plus side of the win-loss ledger a year ago.
 
SCOUTING THE BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE: The Big South Conference is considered one of the country's top NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conferences According to HERO Sports, the Big South Conference is ranked second among the 13 conferences, behind only the Missouri Valley Conference, home to four-time defending national champion North Dakota State. STATS FCS has listed the Big South as the fourth-best conference, trailing the Missouri Valley, Colonial Athletic Association and Big Sky Conference. The Big South Conference has had two teams advance to the FCS playoffs in each of the last three seasons.
 
KENNESAW STATE-ALABAMA STATE AGREE TO 4-YEAR SERIES:
Kennesaw State and Alabama State jointly announced on Monday (Aug. 31) an agreement on a four-year series that will begin in 2017 and run through 2020. The two teams will meet for the first time on Sept. 16, 2017 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium before switching venues to The New ASU Stadium on Sept. 15, 2018. The remaining two games will be played Sept. 14, 2019 in Kennesaw before wrapping up the current agreement on Sept. 19, 2020 in Montgomery, Ala.