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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State became the first Big South Conference program to put together three-straight 10-win seasons after the Owls soared past Gardner-Webb 42-14.
 
With the win, KSU cemented itself as the most successful college football start-up program in the last 20 seasons, winning 47 games in the first five years of existence.
 
It didn't take long to figure out the Owls were making their case for an at-large berth in the FCS Championship playoffs, as Cincere Mason came down with an interception on the first play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Tommy Bryant rushed for his eighth touchdown of the season to put Kennesaw State on top, 7-0, a minute into the contest.
 
Gardner-Webb took advantage of a muffed snap on a punt midway through the first quarter and tied up the game with a 15-yard strike at the 5:14 mark in the first quarter.
 
Bronson Rechsteiner broke loose for a 40-yard run in the second quarter that setup Bryant's second rushing score of the day to gave Kennesaw State back the lead with 12:30 in the second frame. The second quarter ended with there, with the Owls claiming a 14-7 advantage at the break.
 
Kennesaw State waited to come alive until the second half, when the Owls rattled off 14 third quarter points. Tommy Bryant rushed for his third touchdown with 5:42 left in the third quarter before Jalen Jackson blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown at the 3:23 mark. Bryant tied the program's mark for rushing touchdowns in a game when the junior found the end zone from three yards out to put the Owls up 35-7 with 8:23 left to play.
 
Bronson Rechsteiner showed off his wheels midway through the fourth quarter when the senior took a handoff 65 yards up the middle for Kennesaw State's final score of the day.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs cut the lead to 42-14 with a 28-yard pass with 2:33, but could not do anymore damage.
 
Bryant ended with a career-high 154 yards on the ground in addition to his four scores. Rechsteiner finished with 128 yards, as the Owls produced two 100-plus yard rushers for the first time since at Missouri State (Sept. 21) earlier this year.
 
The Kennesaw State defense finished with five sacks, which tied an overall program record and set a record against a conference opponent. The Owls were led by Desmond Johnson Jr. and Travis Bell, who each recorded 1.5 sacks.
 
In the Gardner-Webb backfield the entire night, the Owls recorded 12 tackles-for-loss, which set the program record against a conference opponent. Kareem Taylor, Bryson Perry and Bryson Armstrong all finished with a pair.
 
Kennesaw State finds out its destiny tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. on ESPNU as the Owls wait for the 24-team FCS Playoff field to be announced.