By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – The No. 17 Kennesaw State football team looks to start Big South Conference play off strong as it travels to Hampton, Va. on Saturday, Oct. 9 for the first Big South contest of the season.
The Rundown
Opponent: Hampton Pirates
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9th
Site: Armstrong Stadium
Kickoff: 2 p.m.
HU Attendance Protocols: Click here
TV: ESPN 3
Radio: KSU Owls App
Live Stats: Click Here
Game Notes: KSU
Fall 2021 Schedule: Click Here
The Last Matchup
- The game is the first time these two schools will meet since the 2019 season. During that matchup, KSU had six different players score a touchdown, while the defense forced five turnovers.
- The five total turnovers during the 2019 contest mark the most the Owls' defense has ever forced in a single game in school history (three interceptions, two fumbles).
Top Storylines
- Head coach Brian Bohannon moved into second place all-time in Big South career victories after a win last weekend. Bohannon currently has 55 wins and trails only Coastal Carolina's David Bennett at 63.
- Quarterback Xavier Shepherd comes off a record performance against No. 17 Jacksonville State. The sophomore set personal best in rush yards (124) and rushing touchdowns (three), while being named the Big South Offensive Player of the Week and an Honorable Mention for FCS Performer of the Week.
- The Owls' offense looks to remain dominant on the ground. Since week 11 of the 2015 season, Kennesaw State has compiled 150+ rush yards in 63 consecutive games.
- Kennesaw State's defense is coming off a strong showing against No. 17 Jacksonville State. The defense held the Gamecocks to 75 rushing yards and marked the second consecutive week the team has allowed less than 100 total yards on the ground.
Numbers to Know
- 51 - KSU has been ranked in the top 25 for 51 straight weeks, dating back to week nine of the 2017 season.
- 61 - The Owls have at least one rushing TD in 61 consecutive games, a streak that spans four full seasons.
- 9 - The Owls' defense has recorded a sack in nine straight games, dating back to the 2019 season.
Best Ever
No other start-up program in college football history has more wins in its first five seasons than Kennesaw State with 48 victories.
Dynasty Mode
Dating back to week two of the 2017 season, Kennesaw State has won 41 of its last 49 games for an .837 winning percentage.
Minute Men
In their first seven seasons, the Owls have 56 scoring drives of one minute or less, including a program-best 17 in 2019. KSU tallied its first of the 2021 fall season at Wofford with a two play, 59-yard drive which lasted 43 seconds.
Peach State Pride
Since KSU's inception, the Owls hold the second-highest winning percentage among NCAA Division I football teams in the state of Georgia (2015-pres.). In that seven-year span, Kennesaw State is the only Division I program in the state to capture two conference championships.
Ranking Streak Record
Following the preseason polls by Stats FCS and the AFCA, KSU broke a record with 46 consecutive weeks in a top-25 poll. The streak broke a previous Big South Conference record of 45 weeks held by Coastal Carolina. The Owls have been ranked in one of the two polls for 51 consecutive weeks.
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