GAME 13: No. 16 Kennesaw State (11-1) at No. 3 Jacksonville State (10-1) - FCS Playoffs Second Round

Dec. 2, 2017 | Burgess-Snow Field | 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CST)   WATCH: ESPN3  RADIO: ESPN Radio 1230 & 106.3 The Fan 2 KSU Notes | JSU Notes | Live Stats | 2017 Record Book | Media Center Enemy Territory | Bus and Ticket Information | Ticket Information | Exposure | The Final Word Podcast  Follow Along: @KennesawSTFB | #GoKSUOwls

1. The latest victory during the Owls' historic 11-game winning streak marked the first FCS Playoff win in program history. Kennesaw State became the second FCS team in just its third year (since 2008) of existence to host and win a first round matchup in the FCS Playoffs last Saturday. Old Dominion accomplished the feat in 2011. 
2. Kennesaw State's 28-17 victory over No. 14 Samford marked the Owls' second straight win over a ranked opponent in as many weeks. The Bulldogs also represented the highest-ranked opponent KSU has beaten. 
3. The Owls' offense enters Saturday ranked in the FCS Top 10 nationally in rushing offense (1st; 338.2), third down conversions (3rd; 50.8 percent), and time of possession (9th; 33:08).
4. Kennesaw State's defense also is first in the nation in interceptions (22), first in turnover margin (+23), sixth in scoring defense (14.7 ppg.), 12th in rushing defense (97.0) and 12th in total defense (295.9)
5. The Owls, who have the nation's third-longest winning streak, are averaging 32.2 points, 430.5 total yards, 342.3 rushing yards and 88.3 passing yards during their 11-game winning streak. 
6. Kennesaw State tallied one more interception last Saturday, giving the team a nation's best 22 on the season. The Owls have compiled at least one pick in every game this season. KSU's 33 takeaways and turnover margin (+23) rank first in the nation and hold a 124-10 (+114) margin in points-off-turnover scoring.
7. The Owls enter Saturday's game as the nation's best rushing team for the fifth consecutive week, averaging 338.2 yards per game. The Owls are coming off a 329-yard performance vs. Samford, marking the ninth straight game KSU has rushed for at least 300 yards. Kennesaw State has out-rushed opponents 4,058-1,164 (+2,894) and hold a 37-8 advantage in rushing touchdowns over the season.  
8. After falling to then 19th-ranked Samford to open the season, Kennesaw State went on to win a program-best four straight road games, averaging 26.5 points, 349.8 rushing yards and 405.8 total yards of offense. The defense held opponents to 14.0 points per game and 263.8 yards. 
9. Junior QB Chandler Burks rushed for 72 yards versus Samford, increasing his season total to 984 to become KSU's single-season rushing leader. He has accounted for 24 touchdowns this year, breaking his previous record of 22 set in 2016. 
10. Burks is 16 rushing yards shy of reaching 1,000 yards this season. He would become the first Big South QB in history to compile 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 passing yards in a single season. 

• Third-year program ranks No. 16/18 and clinched its first Big South Conference football championship and an automatic NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs berth with a 52-21 over then-No. 22 Monmouth on Saturday, Nov. 18th. 
• Have joined Old Dominion as the only two FCS programs (since 2008) to secure winning seasons in each of the programs' first three years in existence. KSU's 25 wins over its first three seasons are second-most by a start-up Division-I team since 2008 – Old Dominion was 27-8
• The Owls have played for a Big South Conference championship on the final regular-season weekend for the second consecutive season.
• Has spent a program-record five consecutive weeks in the Top 25 polls.
• Co-favorite with defending Big South Conference Champion Charleston Southern to win conference in preseason poll. Defeated the Buccaneers, 38-0, three weeks ago. The 38-point win is largest margin of victory over a Big South Conference opponent in program history.
• Streak Snappers: KSU's win over Charleston Southern snapped the Buccaneers' Big South Conference-record nine-game winning streak versus conference opponents. The Owls' victory over Monmouth, ended the Hawks' seven-game winning streak.
• Allowing 10.4 points a game over its last five games while posting two shutouts (vs. Presbyterian and Charleston)
• Went on the road and posted 16-14 victory over Montana State on Nov. 4 in the coldest game in KSU history. Drove 78 yards on 20 plays, taking 10:07 off the clock and kicking the game-winning field goal with 1:55 remaining.
• Lone loss came at current No. 14/16 Samford (28-23) is season opener that included a three-hour weather delay. Samford concluded its season in last Saturday's rematch after dropping a 28-17 decision to Kennesaw State in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. 
• Concluded a 6-0 home regular-season record at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, marking the program's first undefeated regular-season mark.  
• Kennesaw State owns a 7-0 home record after defeating the Bulldogs at Fifth Third Bank Stadium last week in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.  
• Third in the FCS in winning percentage (.917)
• Offense ranks in the FCS Top 10 nationally in rushing offense (1st; 338.2), third down conversions (3rd; 50.8 percent), time of possession (9th; 33:08) 
• Defense ranks first in the nation in interceptions (22), first in turnover margin (+23), sixth in scoring defense (14.7 ppg.), 12th in rushing defense (97.0) and 12th in total defense (295.9)
• Defense has recorded at least one interception in all 12 games this season
• The Owls are coming off a 329-yard rushing performance vs. Samford, marking the ninth straight game they have rushed for at least 300 yards.
• Kennesaw State had 405 rushing yards two weeks ago in the Big South Championship vs. Monmouth. 
• Rank first in the Big South in total offense (440.1ypg) second in scoring (31.4) and second in Red Zone efficiency (84%)
• KSU has outgained its opponents in total offense in nine of its 12 games this season and has held its opponent under 200 yards three times and under 300 total yards six times.

• The Owls wrapped up their regular-season road schedule with a 16-14 victory over Montana State, establishing a program-best 4-1 mark away from Fifth Third Bank Stadium. 
• Kennesaw State averaged 25.8 points per game on the road and 433.6 total yards of offense, outscoring its opponents 129-84 in five games. 
• KSU finished its road life averaging 338.4 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, compared to allowing 100.8 on the ground and just three scores. 
• After falling to then 19th-ranked Samford to open the season, Kennesaw State went on to win a program-best four straight road games, averaging 26.5 points, 349.8 rushing yards and 405.8 total yards of offense. The defense held opponents to 14.0 points per game and 263.8 yards. 
• Kennesaw State outscored opponents 106-56 during the last four road games. 
• KSU finished the road schedule with a 1,692-504 (+1,188 margin) difference in rushing yards, totaling 13 touchdowns while allowing just three over the span.

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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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