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KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State football team opened the 2021 season with a 35-25 win against NAIA powerhouse Reinhardt University. The Owls packed Fifth Third Bank Stadium for the school's first Thursday night home game in school history. The win improved Kennesaw State's record to 9-1 against teams from the state of Georgia, with two of these coming against the Reinhardt Eagles.
The scoring started early, with the Owls striking on a quick, five-play, 74-yard drive. Quarterback Jonathan Murphy broke off a 36-yard run to get the Owls into enemy territory. A few plays later, Nykeem Farrow received the pitch on an option play to score the Owls' first touchdown of the 2021 fall season.
The Eagles answered quickly, returning the kickoff 65 yards into Owl territory. Reinhardt quarterback Billy Hall then found Navarie Solomon for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Hall would finish the game 12-18 for 90 yards, including two touchdowns.
The Owls retook the lead on their second drive with a two-yard touchdown run from Murphy and would never look back. Murphy added another score right before the half extending the lead to 21-7. He would lead the team with 18 carries for 98 yards.
Reinhardt started to make a comeback, but a huge interception by Welton Spottsville shifted the momentum back in the Owls' favor. Quarterback Xavier Shepherd would step in and lead the Owls to a big touchdown, extending the lead to 35-19. Shepherd added two touchdowns and finished with eight attempts for 60 yards.
Individually,
Kyle Glover was second on the team with 16 rushes for 80 yards. Defensively, linebacker
Xavier Reddick paced the Owls with 10 tackles, including five solo stops.
The victory pushed the Owls record to 6-1 all-time in home openers. The win also marks the 15
th consecutive non-conference regular season home win.
Kennesaw State is back in action next week as it takes on Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium Saturday, Sept. 11. Kickoff is set for 12:00pm and will be the program's first Power 5 matchup in school history.
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