By: Aury St. Germain
KENNESAW, Ga.- The Owls open a two-game home stretch against North Alabama on Saturday at 3 p.m.. It's the first matchup between the two schools as North Alabama begins transition into the Big South Conference. Fans are encouraged to stay after the game for a post-game concert, which will feature country sensation Zach Seabaugh.
ADA Parking Update
For the remainder of the season, ADA parking will be available in the Student Center Visitor Lot on campus. The Big Owl Bus will stop in front of the Siegel Student Recreation Center for transport to the stadium.
Click here to view a campus map.
The Rundown
Opponent: North Alabama (2-5, 1-2)
Date: Saturday, October 26
Site: Kennesaw, Ga. (Fifth Third Bank Stadium)
Kickoff: 3 p.m. (ET)
TV: ESPN3
Live Stats: Click Here
Radio: Atlanta Sports X - 1230 AM; 106.3 FM
TuneIn App: Click Here
Game Notes: KSU |
North Alabama
Top Storylines
• Kennesaw State returns home Saturday eyeing its sixth straight victory, welcoming North Alabama to town as the Owls look to extend their regular season home winning streak to 17 games.
• Although North Alabama is a member of the Big South Conference in 2019, the Lions are unable to compete for the league title until 2022 and games this season do not count in the conference standings.
• Kennesaw State is 2-0 in league play for the third straight year and is looking to become the first team in Big South history to win three straight outright conference championships.
• KSU is joined by Princeton as the only FCS teams in the country to be ranked in the top five in scoring offense and scoring defense. The Owls are ranked No. 4 in offense (41.0) and No. 5 in defense (13.9).
• The Owls are No. 4 in the latest Coaches' Poll and No. 6 in the STATS FCS poll. Kennesaw State has now been ranked in the top-25 for 28 consecutive weeks, including 24 straight weeks in the top-10.
• The Owls currently lead all FCS teams in total defense, surrendering just 250.6 yards per game. KSU is 11.5 yards ahead of North Dakota State, which ranks No. 2 in the nation at 262.1.
• Kennesaw State ranks No. 2 in all of Division I football in rushing yards per game, averaging 352.3 yards per contest. The Owls lead all FBS and FCS football teams in rushing touchdowns with 31, sitting four scores ahead of Davidson, Louisiana and Air Force.
• Dating back to Week 2 of the 2017 season, Kennesaw State has won 29 of its last 33 games for an 87.8 winning percentage.
• The Owls have not lost a regular season home contest since Oct. 15, 2016, winning 16 consecutive games during the last four seasons.
• Kennesaw State has won 22 consecutive regular season games against FCS opponents, dating back to the season opener of the 2017 season.
• With last Saturday's blowout win at Presbyterian, Kennesaw State has won 12 consecutive Big South Conference games, the second longest streak in league history. Liberty holds the record at 16 from 2006-09.
Noting North Alabama
• The Lions make their first trip to Fifth Third Bank Stadium with a 2-5 record, including back-to-back losses to Big South Conference foes.
• Although North Alabama is now a member of the Big South Conference, the Lions are not eligible to compete for the Big South Conference Championship until 2022 as part of the transition to Division I.
• The Lions opened the year with a 26-17 victory against Western Illinois and picked up their only other victory of the year against Presbyterian, knocking off the Blue Hose 41-21 at home.
• Head coach Chris Willis is in his 21st season at the helm of the Lions, sporting 13 NCAA Division II playoff appearances, eight conference championships and one national championship.
• North Alabama is 0-3 in true road games this year, including being outscored 131-63.
• Quarterback Christian Lopez is second in the Big South Conference in passing yards, averaging 260.0 per game to go along with 11 touchdowns. He also ranks third in the league in interceptions with seven.
• D'Andre Hart leads the team and ranks third in the league in total tackles with 66. He also has 3.0 tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble.
For more information on Kennesaw State athletics, follow @KSUOwlNation on Twitter or like Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook and Instagram.
