GAME 14: No. 16 Kennesaw State (12-1) at No. 6 Sam Houston State (11-1) - FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals

Dec. 9, 2017 | Bowers Field | 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CST)   WATCH: ESPN3 RADIO: ESPN Radio 1230 & 106.3 The Fan 2 KSU Notes | SHSU Notes | Live Stats | 2017 Record Book | Media Center Matchup Date/Time Announced | Exposure: Owls Reach Quarterfinals | Tickets On-Sale Brian Bohannon Named AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year Watch Party  Follow Along: @KennesawSTFB | #GoKSUOwls

1. Kennesaw State became just the third Big South member to reach the quarterfinals in league history after defeating No. 3 Jacksonville State, 17-7. The Owls would become the first team in league history to reach the semifinals with a win at Sam Houston State. 
2. The Owls' 12 wins this season have tied the Big South single-season victory record.  The Owls are the second team with a dozen triumphs in a season and match the mark set by Coastal Carolina in 2013 and 2014. 
3. KSU has won 12 straight games after dropping its season opener at Samford. The winning streak is the longest single-season win streak in Big South history. Kennesaw State's 12 wins are the most by an FCS program in its third year.
4. Kennesaw State ranks No. 1 in the FCS in rushing offense (328.5), No. 7 in time of possession (33:16), No. 2 in passes intercepted (23), No. 4 in scoring defense (14.1 ppg.), No. 1 in turnover margin (1.77), No. 1 in turnovers gained (34), and No. 12 in rushing defense (97.2)
5. The Owls have rushed for a Big South single-season record 4,271 yards -- the ?rst team in league history with 4,000 yards on the ground in a campaign. 
6. During its 12-game winning streak, KSU has outscored opponents 371-155, including a dominant 176-47 advantage in the second quarter and 245-78 in the first half. 
7. Junior QB Chandler Burks became the first Big South Conference quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for a 1,000 yards in the same season. He became the first Owl to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. 
8. Kennesaw State has out-rushed opponents 4,271-1,263 ( 3,008) and a 39-9 advantage in rushing touchdowns over the season.  
9. The Owls 23 interceptions rank second nationally. Keon Roman (four) leads the team, followed by Bryson Armstrong (three), Taylor Henkle (three), Akebren Ralls (three), Jace White (three), Dorian Walker (two), Anthony Gore, Jr. (two) Three other Owls have one each.
10. Kennesaw State's defense also is second in the nation in interceptions (23), first in turnover margin ( 23), fourth in scoring defense (14.1 ppg.), 12th in rushing defense (97.2) and 11th in total defense (287.5)
     

GETTING TO KNOW THE OWLS

• Third-year program ranked No. 16/18 captured first Big South Conference football championship and automatic NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs berth
• Became first FCS program to advance to the national quarterfinals in just its third year, following wins over No. 14 Samford (28-17) and No. 3 Jacksonville State (17-7). 
• With a 12-1 record, the Owls have the third-highest winning percentage (.923) in the FCS
• The football team's advancement to the FCS Playoffs quarterfinals is the farthest a Kennesaw State team has advanced in NCAA postseason play since moving to the Division I level prior to the 2005-06 season. The KSU baseball team reached the 2014 Super Regionals, while the men's golf team has advanced to the NCAA Championships on three occasions (2011, 2014, 2017).
• The Owls are the third different Big South member to reach the quarters, joining Coastal Carolina (twice) and Charleston Southern.
• The Big South is looking to advance to the FCS semifinals for the first time, as the league is 0-3 in the quarterfinal round. Kennesaw State would be the first team from the Big South to reach the semis with a win at Sam Houston State. 
• 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 26 wins (26-9, .743) over its first three seasons are second most by a start-up Division-I team since 2008 – Old Dominion was 27-8 (.771).
• KSU's 12 wins (12-1) are the most by an FCS program in its third year.
• Kennesaw State's 12 wins this season has tied the Big South single-season victory record.  The Owls are the second team with a dozen triumphs in a season and match the mark set by Coastal Carolina in 2013 and 2014.
• The Owls have defeated ranked opponents – No. 22 Monmouth (52-21), No. 14 Samford (28-17) and No. 3 Jacksonville State (17-7) – in consecutive weeks, marking a program first.
• KSU has spent a program-record six consecutive weeks in the Top 25 polls.
• Streak Snappers: KSU has ended the following opponents' streaks: Charleston Southern (9-game winning streak vs. Big South Conference opponents); Monmouth (7-game winning streak), Samford (3-game winning streak); Jacksonville State (9-game winning streak) 
• Kennesaw State ranks No. 1 in the FCS in rushing offense (328.5), No. 7 in time of possession (33:16), No. 2 in passes intercepted (23), No. 4 in scoring defense (14.1 ppg.), No. 1 in turnover margin (1.77), No. 1 in turnovers gained (34), and No. 12 in rushing defense (97.2)
• The Kennesaw State Owls have rushed for a Big South single-season record 4,271 yards -- the first team in league history with 4,000 yards on the ground in a campaign. 
• The Owls have intercepted at least one pass in all 13 games this season
• In its win over Jacksonville State, KSU held the ball for nearly 22 minutes, rushing for 142 yards and outscoring the Gamecocks, 14-0 in the second half. Coming into the game, JSU had allowed an average of only 63.1 yards per game on the ground and the Owls rushed for 213 yards.
• The 339 total yards of offense by KSU was the most Jacksonville State had allowed all season, while the Owls' defense held JSU to a season-low 187 yards.
• The Owls have entered the regular-season's final game with an opportunity to claim a share or the outright Big South Conference championship in consecutive seasons. 
• KSU was the co-favorite with defending Big South Conference Champion Charleston Southern to win the conference. Defeated the Buccaneers, 38-0, marking the largest margin of victory over a Big South Conference opponent in program history.
• Went on the road and posted 16-14 victory at 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 finished season 8-4 and was third in the Southern Conference. First-round FCS Playoffs match-up was a rematch of that season opener. The Owls have defeated every team on their schedule this season.
• Concluded a 6-0 home regular-season record at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, marking the program's first undefeated regular-season mark. Owls are 7-0 at home following first-round victory over Samford. 
• Junior quarterback Chandler Burks became the first Big South Conference quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for a 1,000 yards in the same season.

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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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