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KENNESAW, Ga. – The No. 13 Kennesaw State Owls secured a 14-0 win on Homecoming in front of a record-breaking crowd at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The game saw 9,556 total fans and included 3,097 students. Both total and student attendance set records in the Fifth Third Bank record book.

The Owls  (5-1, 2-0 Big South Conference) were led by a strong performance by the team's defense. Kennesaw State allowed only 31 rushing yards which marked the third lowest in program history. Evan Thompson recorded a career-high in both tackles (12) and tackles-for-loss (3) while helping the defense post its first shutout since Apr. 3, 2021, against Robert Morris.  This was also the first time NC A&T was kept off the scoreboard since Oct. 4, 2014.

Sophomore quarterback Xavier Shepherd led the Owls' offense and went 6-for-13 passing for 129 yards. The 129 passing yards set a new personal-best for the quarterback, who also added 66 rushing yards on 25 carries. The sophomore scored two touchdowns on the ground for his 10^th and 11^th rushing touchdowns of the season. Following today's game, Shepherd is now tied for the FCS lead in rushing touchdowns.

The Owls and the Aggies (3-3, 2-1) were in a defensive bout for the first half of Saturday's game. At the half, the game had only seven total points, complementary of a three-yard touchdown run by Shepherd. This was the first time NC A&T had been held scoreless before the half since Nov. 16, 2016 against North Carolina Central.

North Carolina A&T was able to move the ball down the field on its first drive of the game but missed a 25-yard field goal attempt to get on the board. For the next four drives, each defense held strong and did not allow the opposing offense to get anything started.

Kennesaw State forced a punt at the beginning of the second quarter and started with the ball on its 20-yard line. The offense moved the ball 80 yards down the field and scored on the three-yard touchdown run by Shepherd. The drive was highlighted by a 34-yard reception to Irving Smith to push the ball into Aggie territory. This reception marked the longest of Smith's career and broke his previous record of 14 yards set last week at Hampton (Oct. 9). Smith finished the game with two catches for 64 yards, another career high.

On the ensuing drive, North Carolina A&T had one first down before being forced to punt. During the attempt, freshman Garland Benyard broke through the Aggies defensive line and got a hand on the ball. Kennesaw State recovered the block on its 39-yard line. This was the 10^th blocked punt in Kennesaw State's seven-year history and first since Mar. 13, 2021, versus Charleston Southern.

The seven total points in the half marked the lowest combined score in a Kennesaw State football game at halftime since its inaugural season in 2015 versus Garner Webb (Oct. 17). The Owls' defense allowed only eight rushing yards through two quarters.

Kennesaw State would strike again late in the third quarter on a six-play, 44-yard drive. Shepherd found Smith again on a 29-yard pass that moved the ball to the one-yard line. Shepherd pushed the ball in for a score on the next play, recording his 11^th rushing touchdown of the year.

The Owls entered the fourth quarter up 14-0. Prior to today's game, KSU held a record of 52-1 when having a lead going into the last frame. The Aggies were unable to beat-the-odds and extended the Owls' current win streak to 19 when leading after three quarters.

The Owls secured their seventh consecutive win inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The team is back in action next Saturday, Oct. 23, for a Big South road matchup with the Campbell Camels. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. inside Barker-Lane Stadium in Buies Creek, N.C.

Post-Game Notes

• The game saw the largest crowd in Fifth Third Bank Stadium history (9,556).
• Quarterback Xavier Shepherd's 11 rushing touchdowns rank first in the FCS.
• Kennesaw State has now won 15 consecutive games in the month of October.
• Evan Thompson recorded a career high 12 tackles and three tackles-for-loss.
• KSU converted on 5-of-5 fourth down attempts.
• The Owls' offense has rushed for 150+ yards in 65 consecutive games.
• The win marked the eighth consecutive victory over a team from North Carolina. 
• Head coach Brian Bohannon improved his record to 24-8 in Big South play.

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