KENNESAW, Ga. – Following an important 36-28 road victory over reigning Northeast Conference Champion Duquesne, the Kennesaw State Owls swept the Big South Conference's football weekly awards that were announced on Monday.
 
Senior DB Dante Blackmon was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week, sophomore WR Justin Sumpter earned Offensive Player of the Week honors, freshman P Christian Kinsley was tapped the Special Teams Player of the Week, while redshirt freshman QB Daniel David was named the conference's Rookie of the Week.

It marks the first time a Big South team has swept the conference's weekly football awards since Gardner-Webb accomplished the feat on Sept. 13, 2010.
 
Blackmon, who also earned College Sports Madness National Defensive Player of the Week honors, set a school record with three interceptions Saturday, returning one 57 yards for a touchdown. His three picks are the most by an FCS player in a single game this season, and the senior became the 10^th player in Big South history to record three or more interceptions in a single game. In addition to his three picks, he also swatted away three more passes for a career-high six pass breakups.
 
Sumpter continued the monster start to his sophomore season by racking up career highs in catches (eight) and yards (187) and reeling in two more touchdowns. He averaged 23.4 yards per catch. The performance marked his second career 100-yard receiving effort and his second consecutive game with two scores. His 187 yards are the ninth-most by and FCS player in a single game this season, and he ranks fourth nationally in touchdowns (five) and 12^th nationally in receiving yards per game (107.0).
 
David, who entered the game late in the first half for injured starter Chandler Burks, helped propel the second-half comeback as the Owls outscored the Dukes, 20-11, after halftime. David went 7-10 for a career-high 172 yards and two touchdowns. His 67-yard TD strike to Justin Sumpter gave the Owls the lead for good early in the third quarter, while his 15-yard TD pass to Sumpter with 6:44 left in the game sealed KSU's win. He completed seven of his final eight passes in the game.
 
Kinsley, in just his third game as an Owl, was honored as the Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 42.0 yards on his four punts. Of his four punts, he pinned Duquesne inside its 25 three times and its 20 twice. Kinsley has played a big part in the Owls ranking ninth nationally in net punting this season. He has no touchbacks on his 11 punts, and opponents have totaled just minus-4 return yards.
 
Kennesaw State will take on Furman University Saturday afternoon in another road test on ESPN3 at Paladin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1230 The Fan 2.

Owls Earning Big South Player of Week Awards
Sept. 26, 2016: Sumpter (Offensive); Blackmon (Defensive); Kinsley (Special Teams); David (Rookie)
Sept. 5, 2016: Portress (Defensive)
Nov. 9, 2015: Henkle (Rookie)
Nov. 2, 2015: Henkle (Rookie)
Oct. 19, 2015: White (Offensive); Thompson (Rookie)
Sept. 14, 2015: Farrow (Defensive)

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.

- #GoKSUOwls -
 

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