By: By Jake Dorow
Returning from a two-week road stint, No. 23 Kennesaw State remains unbeaten over its last eight games and enters Saturday with a program-best 8-1 start. The Owls (3-0) return to Big South action where they play host to Charleston Southern (5-4, 2-1) at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The game can be seen on ESPN3 or heard on ESPN Radio 1230 and 106.3. Military Appreciation Day in The Nest is schedule to kickoff at 3:30 p.m.
FIRST & 10
- Riding a school record eight-game winning streak, Kennesaw State returns to The Nest after back-to-back road trips for a Big South Conference showdown at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The Owls are a perfect 4-0 at home this season, averaging 32.5 points per game.
- The Owls are back in the Top 25 for the second consecutive weekend, checking in at No. 23 in both the FCS Coaches and STATS FCS Polls. It marks the first time in program history KSU has appeared inside the Top 25 polls in consecutive weeks.
- The Owls are averaging 29.5 points, 427.9 total yards, 336.0 rushing yards and 91.9 passing yards over the stretch of their an eight-game winning streak.
- Kennesaw State enters the game as the nation's best rushing team for the third consecutive week, averaging 331.2 yards per game. The Owls are coming off a 346-yard performance at Montana State, marking the sixth straight game the Owls rushed for at least 300 yards. Kennesaw State has out-rushed opponents 2,128-623 ( 1,505) and a 19-4 disparity in rushing touchdowns over that span.
- In addition to leading the country in rushing, the Owls are ranked 21st nationally in total offense (440.9), 39th in scoring offense (28.8), seventh in time of possession (33:26) and 34th in Red Zone offense (84%).
- Kennesaw State posted 23 first downs and held the ball for a program-record 39:32 at Montana State last Saturday, including a school-record 20-play drive that milked 10:07 off the clock – which fell 41 seconds shy of a new record. The Owls rank seventh in the nation in Time of Possession.
- KSU has converted 59-of-120 (49%) of its third-down attempts over the eight games and an impressive 13-of-17 (76%) on fourth-down conversions. The Owls rank seventh in the nation in third-down conversions and 11th in fourth-down conversions, ranking first and second in the Big South, respectively.
- Kennesaw State's defense had another strong showing last Saturday in a 16-14 victory over Montana State, holding the Bobcats to 273 yards and just 14 first downs.
- Junior QB Chandler Burks, who rushed for a career-high 34 times for 149 yards at Montana State, was named Big South Offensive Player of the Week, while junior K Justin Thompson, who hit 3-of-3 field goal attempts, kicked the game-winner with 1:55 left, garnered Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.
- KSU tallied another interception last Saturday, giving the team 17 on the season. The interception gave the Owls at least one interception in every game this season and ranks third in the nation. KSU's 23 takeaways and turnover margin ( 15) rank sixth and second in the nation, respectively.
SUCCESS IN THE NEST
- Riding a school record eight-game winning streak, Kennesaw State returns to The Nest after back-to-back road trips for a Big South Conference showdown at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The Owls are a perfect 4-0 at home this season, averaging 32.5 points,
- The Owls are out-scoring opponents 130-54 at home this season, including a dominant 34-7 in the first quarter and a 62-12 disparity in the second frame. KSU owns a 96-19 scoring difference over the first 30 minutes of action at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
- Kennesaw State's offense is out-gaining opponents by a 1,800-1,186 margin ( 614 yards). The Owls have led at the half in every home game this season, and hold a 19-3 record all-time when doing so.
- KSU is averaging 322.2 rushing yards per game at home this season, out-gaining opponents by a dominant 1,289-348 ( 941 margin) yards. The Owls have scored 12 rushing touchdowns while allowing one at home.
- The Owls have converted 24/35 third-down conversions (45%) and 5/6 (83%), which has led to controlling the by 31:03 of the game at home this season. Kennesaw State is 7-1 this season when winning the time of possession.
EIGHT IS JUST AS GREAT
- Kennesaw State defeated Montana State 16-14 in Bozeman last Saturday, extending its program-best streak to eight games. The 8-1 overall record and 3-0 mark in Big South play are program-bests in just its third year.
- During the streak, the Owls are averaging 29.5 points, 427.9 total yards, 336.0 rushing yards and 91.9 passing yards during the last eight weeks.
- During its streak, KSU has outscored opponents 236-110, including a dominant 117-19 advantage in the second quarter and 165-40 in the first half.
- The Owls have out-rushed opponents 2,688-782 ( 1,906) and have run a total of 563 plays – averaging 70.4 plays per game.
- KSU has converted 59-of-120 (49%) of its third-down attempts over the eight games and an impressive 13-of-17 (76%) on fourth-down conversions.
- The Owls converted 10-of-21 (47%) and 3-of-4 (75%) at Montana State.
- Kennesaw State ranks seventh in the nation in third-down conversions and 11th in fourth-down conversions, ranking first and second in the Big South, respectively.
- The defense has been equally impressive during the streak, allowing 13.8 points per game, 280.1 total yards, 97.8 rushing yards and 182.4 passing yards per game.
- During the streak, the defense has forced 21 takeaways (16 interceptions, five fumble recoveries) and have out-scored opponents 69-10 in points-off-turnovers over the last eight games.
HOOT OUT HUNGER
LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAKS (FCS)
• James Madison 21
• North Carolina A&T 9
• KENNESAW STATE 8
• Central Arkansas 8
• Elon 8
• Grambling 8
• Jacksonville State 7
GAMEDAY HASHTAGS/ SOCIAL MEDIA HUBS
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Twitter: @KSUOwlNation; @KennesawStFB; @jdorow19
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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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