2016 KENNESAW STATE FOOTBALL SEASON REVIEW

FINAL NATIONAL RANK: RV/RV FINAL RECORD: 8-3 OVERALL; 3-2 BIG SOUTH (3rd Place) Final Notes | Top 10 Radio Calls | Video Highlights | Best Photos | Final Stats Follow Along: @KennesawSTFB | #GoKSUOwls

1. Kennesaw State finished its season 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big South, both program records for most wins in a single season.
2. The Owls joined Old Dominion as the only Division-I programs since 2008 to post winning seasons in the program's first two years of existence. With 14 wins throughout the first two seasons, the Owls have the third-most wins of any Division-I program in their first two seasons (since 2008).
3. In a year to remember, the Owls were mentioned in the FCS Coaches Poll five times and STATS Poll eight times throughout the 2016 campaign, including No. 22 in Week 11 -- the program's first Top 25 ranking.
4. The Owls had 11 Big South All-Conference selections, including six on the First Team: RB Chaston Bennett, WR Justin Sumpter, C Malik Letatau, DL Desmond Johnson, DL Tonarius Portress and DB Dante Blackmon. On the Second Team were QB Chandler Burks, OL Zach Mitchler, LB Anthony Gore, Jr., LB Izzy Sam and FS Derrick Farrow. Burks was also named to the Big South's All-Academic Team.
5. Head Coach Brian Bohannon guided the Owls to their second consecutive winning season and earned himself a spot among 15 finalists for the STATS FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.
6. Kennesaw State finished the season ranked 10th nationally in total offense (479.5 ypg), ninth in scoring (38.9), third in rushing (320.6 ypg), ninth in third down conversions (49%) and eighth in fourth down conversions (70%).
7. The defense was also impressive, ranking first in the Big South in scoring defense (21.7), rushing defense (130.3 ypg), third down conversions defense (32%), fourth down defense (32%), and second in total defense (321.8 ypg).
8. The Owls out-gained 10 of their 11 opponents in 2016, accumulating a +1,735 total yard margin -- an average margin of +157.7 per game. Kennesaw State rolled up 500 or more yards in six of the 11 games.
9. Next season, the Owls are set to return 17 of 22 positional starters, including QB Burks, WRs Sumpter and Harper, four of the five on the offensive line, and six of front seven on defense.
10. Kennesaw State opens its 2017 season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Samford. The 2017 home opener is slated for Saturday, Sept. 9 versus Tennessee Tech. The Owls challenging non-conference slate also includes Montana State, Texas Southern Alabama State and North Greenville.

TOP 10 RADIO HIGHLIGHTS

• The Owls made their radio debut on ESPN Radio 1230 The Fan 2 -- the flagship radio home of Kennesaw State Football. Voice of the Owls Brian Giffin looks back on the season with the 10 best radio calls from 2016. Listen Here!

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE POSTSEASON AWARD WINNERS
First Team:
RB Chaston Bennett
WR Justin Sumpter
C Malik Letatau
DL Desmond Johnson
DL Tonarius Portress
DB Dante Blackmon

Second Team:
QB Chandler Burks
OL Zach Mitchler
LB Anthony Gore, Jr.
LB Izzy Sam
FS Derrick Farrow

All-Academic:
QB Chandler Burks

OWLS RANKED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY

• In a year to remember, the Owls saw their names in the FCS Coaches Poll five times and the STATS Poll eight times, including four consecutive weeks (Week 9-12) to end the 2016 campaign.
• For the first time in program history, Kennesaw State appeared in the Top 25 in the FCS Coaches Poll, coming in at No. 22 on Nov. 14 prior to Week 11.
• The Owls were 8-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big South when cracking the Top 25, ahead of a showdown with then-No. 13 Charleston Southern with a share of the Big South Championship on the line.
• The Owls weren't the only Big South team to see their names in the polls, as Charleston Southern and Liberty both spent time ranked the Coaches and STATS polls.

SECOND-SEASON SUCCESS

• On Nov. 12, the Owls secured their first-ever eight-win season, and their first three-win season in conference play with a 45-10 victory over Presbyterian.
• The Owls joined Old Dominion as the only Division-I programs since 2008 to post winning seasons in the program's first two years of existence.
• With 14 wins throughout the first two seasons, the Owls have the third-most wins of any Division-I program in their first two seasons (since 2008).
• On Oct. 29, the Owls defeated Monmouth 49-17 on the road for their single-season program-tying sixth win in just their eighth game of the season.
• The Owls went on to win two more in consecutive weeks with a 56-0 shutout over Clark Atlanta and a 45-10 triumph over Big South foe Presbyterian to give KSU its first seven and eight-win season in program history.
• Kennesaw State propelled to an eight-win season thanks to two four-game winning streaks, the first coming from Sept 10 – Oct. 8, outscoring opponents 186-89, before turning to another four-game winning streak from Oct. 22- Nov. 12 while outscoring opponents 197-66 during the span.
• During the second winning streak in 2016, KSU won three straight Big South tilts for the first time in program history and remained undefeated on the road until the final week of the season.
• Entering the final week of the regular season, the Owls were one of just five FCS teams that were still undefeated on the road in 2016.

BOHANNON FINALIST FOR EDDIE ROBINSON AWARD

• Head Coach Brian Bohannon was named one of 15 finalists for the STATS FCS Eddie Robinson Award, which was announced on Nov. 15.
• In just the program's second season, Bohannon guided the Owls to an 8-3 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the Big South and a spotlight in the national polls ranking No. 22 in Week 11 for the first time in school history.
• Coach Bohannon guided the Owls as one of the most explosive offensive teams in the country, finishing among the FCS's Top 10 in total offense, scoring offense, rushing offense and passing efficiency.

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 -

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video