Box Score | Photo Gallery
KENNESAW, Ga. – After 448 days without a game, the Kennesaw State football program returned to action Saturday afternoon and scored 35 unanswered points to knock off Shorter University 35-3 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
The Owls improved to 5-1 all-time in home openers and 3-3 in season openers with the victory, while picking up their 13th consecutive non-conference regular season home win.
Making his fourth career start under center, senior quarterback
Tommy Bryant opened the year with a three-touchdown performance on the ground, giving him 16 rushing touchdowns in his last seven career games.
Kyle Glover rushed for a game-high 87 yards and a scored one touchdown, while
Isaac Foster added 65 yards on the ground, including 27-yard run in the third quarter.
Jonathan Murphy capped off the scoring in the final minutes with an 18-yard touchdown run, putting a lid on the five-touchdown output by the offense.
After Shorter scored a field goal on the opening possession of the game, the Kennesaw State defense dominated the Hawks, totaling 11.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and recovering three fumbles.
Kareem Taylor anchored the defense with eight total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Bryson Armstrong and
Desmond Scott added seven tackles apiece and
Markeith Montgomery had a team-high 2.0 tackles for loss.
The defense allowed three points or less for the 11th time in program history as the Owls have outscored opponents by a combined 94-3 margin in their last two season openers.
KSU improved to 8-1 all-time against teams from the State of Georgia, including 2-0 against Shorter.
The Owls will enjoy a week off before returning to action March 13 against Charleston Southern to open Big South Conference action. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank Stadium
What Coach Bohannon Had to Say
"It was great to be back at The Bank, it's been a long time. I thought the crowd was good considering we had limited capacity. I saw a good amount in the student section, very appreciative of them as well. I think it very obvious that we didn't play very well today. I didn't coach very well and we didn't play very well today, to be honest with you it looked like practice if you want to know the truth. But like I told the kids, we are going to celebrate wins because they don't come easy, but it is nowhere near what our standards are."
