GAME 2: Tennessee Tech (0-1) vs. Kennesaw State (0-1)

Sept. 9, 2017 | Fifth Third Bank Stadium | 7 p.m. | Youth Night TV: Peachtree TV (WPCH-Atlanta) | Big South Network RADIO: ESPN Radio 1230 & 106.3 The Fan 2 (WFOM-AM) KSU Notes | TTU Notes | Live Stats | 2017 Record Book | Media Center Final Word Podcast | Press Conference | Enemy Territory | Gameday Info  Clear Bag Policy | #NestNotes Follow Along: @KennesawSTFB | #GoKSUOwls

1. Kennesaw State, which continues to receive votes in the Top 25 polls, welcomes Tennessee Tech Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium for the 2017 home opener.
2. Both teams enter the game looking to rebound from season-opening setback to Top 25 teams. Kennesaw State dropped a hard-fought 28-23 decision at No. 19 Samford, while the Golden Eagles fell 41-14 to 25th-ranked Western Illinois.
3. The Owls own a 4-4 record in games following a loss. Last season, KSU dropped its opener but rattled off four straight wins following and out-scored the opposition 186-89 in those four games.
4. KSU's defense held Samford to 70 yards on the ground, marking the sixth time it has held an opponent to under 100 rushing yards over the last 12 games.
5. Redshirt freshman LB Bryson Armstrong made his presence felt in his debut, accounting for both KSU turnovers with an interception and fumble recovery at Samford. He finished the game with seven tackles and broke up two passes.
6. The Owls out-gained Samford by a decisive 545-311 margin, marking the 11th time in 12 games KSU has out-gained the opponent. It was the seventh time in the last 12 contests -- and five of the last six -- that the Black & Gold surpassed 500 yards of total offense.
7. Junior RB Jake McKenzie accounted for a career-best three touchdowns -– two rushing and one passing. McKenzie totaled 75 all-purpose yards against Samford.
8. KSU returns 16 of 22 positional starters, including QB Chandler Burks, WRs Justin Sumpter and Xavier Harper, four of the five on the offensive line, and six of the front seven on defense.
9. The Owls were named Big South co-favorites and received a league-leading eight Preseason All-Conference selections. KSU's honorees included RB Darnell Holland, WR Justin Sumpter, and OL Zach Mitchler on offense. On defense, DL Tonarius Portress, DL Desmond Johnson, Jr., LB Anthony Gore, Jr., LB Izzy Sam, and DB Taylor Henkle were also recognized.
10. Kennesaw State returns to Heart of Dixie next Saturday for a game at Alabama State. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET in Montgomery.

SATURDAY NIGHT'S GAME PROMOTION
Bring the kids out for Youth Night at Kennesaw State Football on Saturday night. Enjoy youth activities in Fan Zone prior to the game. The first 2,000 fans will receive a custom OYO Sports mini figure
courtesy of Fifth Third Bank.

GAMEDAY HASHTAGS/ SOCIAL MEDIA HUBS
Hashtag: #GoKSUOwls
Twitter: @KSUOwlNation; @KennesawStFB; @mikedegeorge; @jdorow19
Facebook: KSUOwlNation
Instagram: KennesawStFB
YouTube: Owl Network



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--

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