GAME 11: No. 22 Monmouth (9-1, 4-0) vs. No. 21 Kennesaw State (9-1, 4-0)

Nov. 18, 2017 | Fifth Third Bank Stadium | 2 p.m. ET Senior Day | Student Appreciation Day   WATCH: ESPN3 RADIO: ESPN Radio 1230 & 106.3 The Fan 2 KSU Notes | MU Notes | Live Stats | 2017 Record Book | Media Center Big South Weekly Awards | Owls Ranked No. 21/22 Press Conference | The Final Word Podcast | Enemy Territory  Watch Party Selection Show  Follow Along: @KennesawSTFB | #GoKSUOwls

  FIRST & 10

1. Riding a school record nine-game winning streak, Kennesaw State welcomes Monmouth –which is riding a seven-game winning streak— to The Nest. The Big South clash will determine the conference champion and an automatic berth to the FCS playoffs.
2. The Owls' 38-point victory over Charleston Southern snapped the Bucs' nine-game road winning streak, which was the longest in Big South history. The victory also secured KSU's spot in the Big South title game for the second straight season. Kennesaw State's nine wins are a single-season program record.
3. The Owls are in the Top 25 for the third consecutive weekend, checking in at No. 21 and No. 22 in both the FCS Coaches and STATS FCS Polls, respectively. It marks the first time in program history KSU has appeared inside the Top 25 polls for three consecutive weeks and highest ranking in program history.  
4. The Owls are averaging 30.4 points, 426.0 total yards, 336.8 rushing yards and 89.2 passing yards during their nine-game winning streak. 
5. The defense pitched its third shutout—second in three weeks—in program history last Saturday, forcing four turnovers and allowing just 187 yards. KSU's defense ranks fourth nationally in scoring (13.8), second in turnover margin (+18), second in turnovers gained (27) and eighth in total defense (273.9 ypg).
6. KSU tallied two more interceptions last week, giving the team a nation's best 19 on the season. The Owls have compiled at least one pick in every game this season. KSU's 27 takeaways and turnover margin (+18) rank second in the nation and hold a 96-10 (+86) margin in points-off-turnover scoring. 
7. Kennesaw State posted 21 first downs and held the ball for 32:16 last Saturday, including 10:21 in the first quarter. The Owls rank seventh in the nation in time of possession and have won the TOP battle in nine of 10 games, surpassing 32 minutes six times. 
8. Kennesaw State enters the game as the nation's best rushing team for the third consecutive week, averaging 332.4 yards per game. The Owls are coming off a 343-yard performance vs. Charleston Southern, marking the seventh straight game the Owls rushed for at least 300 yards. Kennesaw State has out-rushed opponents 2,471-731 (+1,740) and hold a 24-4 advantage in rushing touchdowns over that span. 
9. In addition to leading the country in rushing, the Owls are ranked first in the Big South in total offense (437.9ypg), second in scoring (29.7), seventh in the nation in TOP (33:19) and second in the conference in Red Zone (83%). 
10. Kennesaw State will recognize and celebrate the storied careers of 14 seniors on Saturday KSU will honor the following: Bert Birdsall,, Paris Bostick, Terrance Bulock, Jr., Duronte Carter, Matt Frank, Luther Jones, Justin Marcus, Barclay Miller, Keon Roman, Tonarius Portress, Izzy Sam, Tremayne Trawick, Myles White, and Brenton Wimberly.

A WIN VS MONMOUTH WOULD…

• Hand the Owls their school-record 10th straight victory.
• Win the Big South Championship and secure an automatic berth to the FCS Playoffs. 
• Give Kennesaw State its first-ever conference championship in just its third year of existence. 
• Hand the Owls a perfect 5-0 record in the Big South. KSU's previous-best conference mark was 3-2 in 2016. 
• Improve Kennesaw State's record to 10-6 all-time in conference games. 
• Mark the third victory over Monmouth in as many years. 
• Improve the Owls' home record to 6-0 in 2017 and 15-3 all-time; complete first undefeated home record.
• Improve KSU's record to 16-4 all-time in day games. 
• Become just the second FCS program in its third season (Old Dominion; 2012) to win a conference championship and earn an FCS Playoff berth since 2008. 

TURNOVER PLANK IS REAL 

• The defense pitched its third shutout—second in three weeks—in program history last Saturday, forcing four turnovers and allowing just 187 yards. KSU's defense ranks fourth nationally in scoring (13.8), second in turnover margin (+18), second in turnovers gained (27) and eighth in total defense (273.9ypg).
• KSU tallied two more interceptions last week, giving the team a nation's best 19 on the season. The Owls have compiled at least one pick in every game this season. KSU's 27 takeaways and turnover margin (+18) rank second in the nation and holds a 96-10 (+86) margin in points-off-turnover scoring. 
• The Owls' defense has held opponents to just 4.2 points, 134.2 rushing yards, 105.2 passing yards and 239.5 total yards per game over the last four weeks. 
• Junior Taylor Henkle's interception in the closing minute at Montana State secured the victory, and also extended the Owls' interception streak to nine games. The pick continued KSU's streak of at least one interception in every game this season. 
• The Owls 19 interceptions rank first nationally. Keon Roman (four)—who ranks 25th nationally in INT per game—leads the team, followed by Bryson Armstrong (three), Taylor Henkle (three), Dorian Walker (two), Jace White (two), Akebren Ralls (two). Three other Owls have one each.
• Kennesaw State's 27 takeways (19 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries) rank second in the nation in turnovers gained. 
• Kennesaw State had no giveaways over the last three weeks until Darnell Holland lost a fumble last week versus Charleston Southern. The Owls have only coughed up the ball once over the last four weeks.
• The turnover margin (+18) ranks second in the nation.

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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 become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.
 
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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