POSTION BREAKDOWN (DEFENSE) | POSITION BREAKDOWN (OFFENSE)

KENNESAW, Ga. -- It may be hard to believe, but the Kennesaw State football squad returns to the gridiron Saturday to kick off the program's second season. Saturday's game is a rematch of the 2015 season opener against East Tennessee State at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, this time under the lights in the Owls' first-ever night game. The game can be seen live on Peachtree TV and on ESPN Radio 1230 The Fan 2.
 
Head Coach Brian Bohannon looks to build on momentum from a dazzling debut in 2015 that saw the Owls finish with a 6-5 campaign in their inaugural season. Rolling up eye-popping numbers out of the spread option offense while posting an impressive 5-1 mark at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the Owl faithful witnessed a historic season.
 
The Owls rushed for 293.0 yards per game in 2015, which led the Big South Conference and ranked sixth nationally. It was the second-best single-season rushing effort by a Big South team since VMI's 357.5 yards in 2008.

Today is the second of a two-part season preview, breaking down the Owls' defense and specialists and what KSU fans can expect come Saturday. KSUOwls.com broke down the offense Tuesday, and you can check it out by CLICKING HERE!

DEFENSIVE LINE
Kennesaw State will be tasked with replacing Mason Harris up front in 2016, who led the defensive line with 12 tackles for a loss and two sacks during the Owls' inaugural campaign. But the Owls return key contributors such as senior Nick Perrotta, junior Dustyn Moore, junior Tonarius Portress, sophomore Auzoyah "Big Z" Alufohai, sophomore Braylong Young and redshirt-freshman Desmond Johnson – who all combined for 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions. A battle for A battle for playing time could come into play as other returnees such as McKenzie Billingslea (20tot, 2.0 tfl, 1.0 sack), redshirt freshman Kyle Arrasmith and others have had strong camps in August. Luther Jones, who returns from an injury a season ago, Devin Pushley, Austin Bryd and junior transfer Kyle Whitaker will all fight for time down in the trenches.
 
LINEBACKERS
Arguably the deepest position on the defensive side of the ball, the Owls are headlined by key returnees Anthony Gore, Jr., Izzy Sam and Dez Billingslea. Billingslea, a sophomore out of Covington, Georgia, was the top tackler among linebackers in 2015 and finished third on the team with 55 total tackles. Billingslea's highlight-reel was made when he returned a botched snap on a potential game-winning field goal versus Shorter for a touchdown to secure an 18-10 victory at The Bank. Billingslea is joined by sophomore Gore, Jr. who played in all 11 games in 2015, ranking fourth on the team with 52 total tackles. The Owls will also welcome back Sam, who recovered a fumble on the third play from scrimmage in KSU's inaugural home opener for a touchdown versus Edward Waters. Sam proved to be another difference maker as part of the linebacking core, racking up 51 tackles and seven tackles for a loss. Kennesaw State welcome all three linebackers back to the gridiron and will be looked upon to be difference makers, as all three eclipsed the 50-tackle mark, racked up 21.5 tackles for a loss and combined for 8.5 sacks.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Another deep group on the defensive side returns for the Owls in 2016 after allowing just 153.5 yards per game through the air –the league's second-best total. Kennesaw State returns key defensive backs Jace White and Taylor Henkle --recently named to the Preseason Big South All-Conference Team—, and senior Dante Blackmon to a secondary that is arguably one of the tops in the league. ?The group returns to a defensive unit that allowed just 13.7 points per game at home in 2015. Headlined by Henkle, who led the Owls with 65 tackles and four interceptions a season ago, the cornerback position is in great shape heading into the upcoming slate. Sophomore Akebren Ralls has a chance to make an impact in 2016, who was a three-time all-state performer at Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, Georgia. Redshirt-freshman Raekwon Chatman and junior Keon Roman, whose season was shortened due to injury in 2015, will also look to make an impact on the corners. KSU will also have second-team All-Big South Conference selection Derrick Farrow return to the gridiron. Farrow headlines the safety position, as he made nine starts in 11 games a season ago. He ranked ninth in the FCS and led the Big South with four forced fumbles, including three in one game and ranked second behind Henkle in total tackles (63) on the roster in 2015.
 
SPECALISTS 
Kicking field goals never seemed to be an issue for the Owls thanks to the right foot of Justin Thompson. The sophomore out of Evans, Georgia will return after hitting 12-of-17 field goal attempts and 34-of-38 PAT attempts in 2015. Thompson tied the Big South single-game record with four field goals versus Gardner-Webb and also produced four FGs versus Shorter. Thompson became just the third kicker in league history with multiple four-FG efforts in a single season. Redshirt-sophomore Jordan Genovese will also return. The kicker booted 21 kickoffs for 1,146 yards, an average of 54.6 yards per kick, and totaled three touchbacks.
 

HEAD COACH BRIAN BOHANNON HOT TAKES
"Obviously Chaston Bennett has been a huge playmaker, and he's practiced extremely hard" - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"The guy that has come on and had a good camp is Myles White. He's been kind of a pleasant surprise that we didn't really know was going to come about." - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"There's several others, Steven Johnson, and I'm probably leaving some guys out but there's several other guys that are in the mix. TJ Reed's a young guy, redshirt freshman. All those guys are trying to get in the mix, but they all have talent, all have ability, we're just looking for consistency out of those guys."  - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"Micah Reed had a very good training camp" - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"I'm excited about the kind of year Justin Sumpter's going to have. He works so hard." - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"We're excited about the skill guys and what they can bring to the table."  - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"I'm excited about Tonarius (Portress) and I'm excited about Desmond Johnson. Those guys work extremely hard and both have ability." - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"Young man named Desmond Johnson has been coming along, been doing some good things." - HC Brian Bohannon
 
 "You've got Mckenzie Billingslea and Braylon Young and 'Big Z' all those guys are battling it out."- HC Brian Bohannon
 
Devin Pughsley had really had good camp" - HC Brian Bohannon
 
"Our back end and our safeties, Taylor (Henkle) and Derrick (Farrow), are solid." - HC Brian Bohannon
 
 "Every day you just keep watching him (Pughsley) and he plays extremely hard."- HC Brian Bohannon
 
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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.
 

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