By: By Jake Dorow
Kennesaw State continues Big South Conference play Saturday in Boiling Springs, N.C., taking on Gardner-Webb at Spangler Stadium. The Owls are coming off a hard-fought 36-21 defeat versus Liberty at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in their final night game of the 2016 slate. The game will be aired on ASN and can been seen locally in Atlanta on Peachtree TV. The game can also be heard on ESPN Radio 1230 The Fan 2.
FIRST & 10
- After having a four-game winning streak snapped at home last Saturday, Kennesaw State travels to Gardner-Webb for its second Big South Conference game in 2016.
- The Owls earned their first-ever Big South Conference victory in a 12-7 victory last year over GWU. It marked the first time in Big South Conference history, excluding its first year of 2002, that a newcomer to the conference won its first league game played.
- Kennesaw State is the lone Big South team to out-gain its opponent in each game this season. The Owls own a +801 yard differential over their opponents, an average of +133.5 per game.
- Kennesaw State racked up 472 total yards of offense and scored 21 points last Saturday versus Liberty and enters the week leading the Big South in total offense (478.7 ypg) and scoring (37.3). The Owls also rank first in the Big South in rushing offense (294.0 ypg), passing efficiency (177.67), rushing defense (112.3), third down conversions (46%) and turnover margin (1.17).
- Gardner-Webb and Kennesaw State rank first and second in the Big South in scoring defense. The Runnin' Bulldogs are holding opponents to 19.7 points per game while the Owls are holding their opponents to 24.2 points per game.
- The ground game should play a big factor in the matchup, as the Owls' 294.0 yards per game ranks first in the Big South while GWU's 234.1 ranks second. The two are combining for 528.1 yards of offense on the ground with 37 combined touchdowns.
- Sophomore Chandler Burks called his own number and scored his ninth rushing touchdown of the season versus Liberty. His nine rushing TDs rank second in the Big South and is responsible for 15 of the Owls' 31 scores this season.
- Burks has completed 41 consecutive passes since his last (and only) interception this season. His 41 straight completions without an INT is a new school record. Since being picked off in the second quarter at Duquesne, Burks is 24-for-41 passing with 427 yards and three TD passes.
- Redshirt sophomore DB Akebren Ralls set a new school mark with 12 tackles (10 solo) versus Liberty. The previous KSU record of 10 tackles had been set on seven previous occasions.
- For the second consecutive week, senior running back Chaston Bennett found the end zone twice. He also broke a school record for all-purpose yards (241) and kickoff return yards (124) versus Liberty last Saturday.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
- Last Saturday versus Liberty was the third consecutive week Kennesaw State scored with a one-play drive when Chandler Burks quickly connected with Chaston Bennett for a 43-yard TD pass to pull the Owls within 26-21 with 12:30 remaining in the game.
- Redshirt freshman quarterback Daniel David's 2-yard touchdown run versus Missouri S&T and Darnell Holland's 62-yard explosion in the second quarter at Furman marked the other one-play scoring drives in consecutive weeks.
- KSU scored on its first offensive play of the game three times in all of 2015 (Edward Waters, at Dayton, and Charleston Southern).
- Despite the quick-strike offense, the Owls have won time of possession five times this season, and are 3-2 in those contest and 8-5 in program history when doing so.
OWLS SET TO RUN WITH THE BULLDOGS
- Kennesaw State's high-powered offense continued versus Liberty last Saturday, outgaining the Flames 267-203 on the ground and 472-414 for the game.
- The Owls enter the new week ranked first in the Big South and ninth nationally in total offense (478.7 ypg), and first in the league and 14th nationally in scoring (37.3).
- The Owls' ground game enters Saturday's showdown with Gardner-Webb averaging 294.0 yards per game – ranking first in the Big South and fifth nationally.
- The Runnin' Bulldogs counter KSU's ground attack with 234.1 yards per game, which ranks second in the Big South. The two are combining for 528.1 yards of offense on the ground and have totaled 37 touchdowns.
- Kennesaw State also ranks third in the FCS in passing efficiency (177.67) and third in the Big South averaging 184.7 yards per game in the air.
- Last week the Owls totaled 472 yards of offense versus Liberty and have surpassed the 400-or-more yard mark in a single game five of their six games, and have totaled 500-or-more yards twice.
A DEFENSIVE MATCHUP WORTH WATCHING
- Gardner-Webb and Kennesaw State rank first and second in the Big South in scoring defense. The Runnin' Bulldogs are holding opponents to 19.7 points per game while the Owls are holding their opponents to 24.2 points per game.
- The Runnin' Bulldogs allow 195.4 yards per game on the ground, but rank in the top three in passing defense (182.6 avg/gm) and passing defense efficiency (131.6).
- GWU has allowed just 20 total points in the month of October.
DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKERS
- Kennesaw State's defense has forced a turnover in five of its six games this season.
- The Owls recovered a fumble last Saturday versus Liberty and won the turnover battle for the fifth straight game.
- KSU's turnover margin of +7 ranks ninth nationally and first in the Big South.
- Sophomore defensive back Akrebren Ralls set a new school mark last Saturday, totaling 12 tackles (10 solo) versus Liberty. The previous KSU record of 10 tackles had been set on seven previous occasions.
- Desmond Johnson also set a new career high with seven tackles versus Liberty. The redshirt freshman leads the Big South in sacks (5.0) and ranks fifth in the league in tackles for a loss (6.5).
- Tonarius Portress finished with five tackles and added to his league-leading TFL's with one versus Liberty. Portress now has 8.0 tackles for a loss this season.
GAMEDAY HASHTAGS/ SOCIAL MEDIA HUBS
Hashtag: #GoKSUOwls
Twitter: @KSUOwlNation; @KennesawStFB; @mikedegeorge; @jdorow19
Facebook: KSUOwlNation
Instagram: KennesawStFB
YouTube: Owl Network
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 became the official home of Owls football team and is also home to Owls soccer and lacrosse.
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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