By: By Jake Dorow
Head Coach
Brian Bohannon (AUDIO) |
Chandler Burks &
Bryson Armstrong (AUDIO)
KENNESAW – The Big South Champion Kennesaw State Owls (10-1) remains in The Nest to host Samford (8-3) for the first round of the FCS Playoffs. KSU concluded a 6-0 regular-season record at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, marking the program's first undefeated regular-season mark. The first round at The Bank is scheduled to kickoff at 2 p.m. on ESPN3. The contest can also be heard on ESPN Radio 1230 and 106.3.
Head Coach
Brian Bohannon, along with junior QB
Chandler Burks and redshirt freshman Bryson Armstrong, met with the media Wednesday afternoon to preview KSU's matchup with the Bulldogs.
Below is a transcript of selected questions and answers:
Head Coach Brian Bohannon
Opening Statement
"It's a great time of the year when you have the opportunity to practice and play the week of Thanksgiving. We're excited about the opportunity to play for the first time in the FCS Playoffs and play in the postseason. Samford is an awfully good football team that has got better as the year has gone on. There are 24 teams in the country playing and you have to bring your A game. The playoffs are pretty simple, next Monday we are either preparing for the next one or packing our stuff up. You have to go about preparing that way. We are excited about playing at home and hopefully there will be a great crowd. It's always a bonus playing here at Fifth Third Bank Stadium."
On Saturday's Celebration
"The celebration was awesome. Honestly, you get one of those celebrations and you are kind of on a cloud and in the fog a little bit. I got home and I was excited, but also exhausted and crashed. You wake up and have many emotions dealing with an opportunity of going to the playoffs. We enjoyed it for the night and the next morning. But when you find out your opponent, you start focusing on that game. It was a great night for Kennesaw State University and our football program. I don't want to minimize that at all. When the season is over we'll sit back and reflect, but right now we have a task at hand and that's Saturday."
Players Reactions
"The players have been good. Nothing different than any other week. At the end of the day, you have an opportunity to play in a playoff game. It's an awesome opportunity for our kids and program. The one thing we have done to date is finding a formula of never getting too high or going too low, and hopefully we can continue to prepare that way heading into Saturday.
On Preparing for Samford Again
"It depends how you look at it. I think at the end of the day, to some degree, we both have an idea what we will do. You have to go out and execute. Both teams have evolved throughout the season and everyone has their game plan. You have to go out and win battles, and we have to win more than lose those battles. We have to win the penalties, the special team, and really take it to the next level.
Comments on Being Named Big South Coach of the Year
"Well I appreciate it. Anytime you get recognition, especially in my chair, it's just a representation of a body of work over a period of time. Many people were involved with our staff and players and everything going on since we started this thing. I am appreciative and thankful, but it represents a body of work with the Kennesaw State football program."
On All-Conference Winners
"I want to congratulate all our kids that were represented on the all-conference teams. We had 17 kids and it's a phenomenal number. I am proud of all our kids that were honored and they are very deserving. When the team has success, the individual accolades come and that's how we've gone about our business."
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.
--#GoKSUOwls--
