Score: Dayton 31, Kennesaw State 27 
Records: Kennesaw State (3-1), Dayton (3-0) 
Key Players: Chaston Bennett (8 rushes, 155 yards, 1 TD); Trey White (25-128, 1 TD); Taylor Henkle (10 tackles); Derrick Farrow (9 tackles); Johnny Yoder (9 tackles, 0.5 sack); Izzy Sam (9 tackles, 1.5 sacks)
Key Plays: Marcus Thurman interception in the end zone on Dayton's first drive of the game; Chaston Bennett 80-yard touchdown run.
Key Stat: Dayton RB Connor Kascor (44 rushes, 229 yards, 3 TDs)               
 
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DAYTON, OH – After scoring 27 points in the first half, Kennesaw State was held scoreless in the second half as Dayton rallied for a 31-27 victory to hand the Owls their first loss Saturday (Sept. 26) at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio.
 
The loss overshadowed 100-yard rushing performances from running back Chaston Bennett (155) and quarterback Trey White (128) who helped the Owls total 342 yards on the ground. However, Kennesaw State (3-1) was held to just 88 rushing yards in the second half.
 
Meanwhile, Dayton preseason All-American running back Connor Kascor gained 229 yards and scored three touchdowns on 44 carries to help the Flyers (3-0) rally for 10-second half points to remain undefeated on the season.
 
After forcing Kennesaw State to punt on its opening possession of the second half, Dayton went on a 17-play drive that took 6:58 off the clock and ended with a goal-line stand by the Owls.
 
The Flyers forced a three-and-out and Chris Searles returned a punt 29 yards to set up the hosts with a first down at the Kennesaw State 14-yard line. Kascor cashed in the good field position with a 2-yard run that gave Dayton its first lead of the game at 28-27 with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter.

William Will added a 37-yard field goal to increase the Flyers' lead to 31-27 with 8:15 remaining.

Following the field goal, Kennesaw State went on a sustained drive, moving from its own 33-yard line to the Dayton 31-yard line where White's fourth down run came up six yards short. The Flyers took over on downs and, behind the running of Kascor, ran out the clock.  
 
Kennesaw State took advantage of a Marcus Thurman interception in the end zone on Dayton's game-opening drive, scoring one play later on an 80-yard touchdown run by Bennett one minute into the game.
 
Four different Owls scored rushing touchdowns in the first half as Darnell Holland (2 yards), White (1 yard) and Jae Bowen (9 yards) all found the end zone that helped the Owls build a 27-21 halftime lead.

Quoting Brian Bohannon: "When you lose and you put a lot in to it I think for our team and coaches it's tough. As I told them in there (locker room) I'm proud of them. They fought to the end and we are going to build on this. This is part of the process we're in. We're going to learn from this. Just like we learn from our wins, we're going to learn from our losses. We'll regroup and see if we can get healthy next week with an off week and get back on track and get back going."

Next Week: The Owls will have their bye next week before returning to Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Oct. 10 to host Point on Homecoming Weekend.

Next Game: The Owls return to Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Oct. 10 when they host Point on Homecoming Weekend.

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 Chaston Bennett rushed 80 yards for a touchdown on the Owls' opening play from scrimmage
* Bennett became the first KSU player to rush for more than 100 yards in a half, gaining 137 yards on five carries. He finished with 155 yards on 8 rushes.
* Quarterback Trey White had his first 100-yard rushing game, gaining 128 yards on 25 carries
* White and Bennett became the first KSU tandem to rush for 100 yards in the same game.
* Linebacker Kyron Minter and defensive back Marcus Thurman each recorded first career interception.
* The Owls' defense forced at least one turnover for the fourth straight game.
* Dayton preseason All-American senior running back Connor Kascor became the first opposing runner to rush for 100 yards against the Owls, gaining 229 yards on 44 carries.
* The 287 yards rushing by Dayton was a season-high by an opponent.
* Kennesaw State was outgained (403-388) in total yards for the first time this season.