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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Kennesaw State football fell in overtime at Jacksonville State by a score of 35-28 on Saturday afternoon inside JSU Stadium. The loss marked the Owls (1-3, 0-1 ASUN Conference) first to Jacksonville State (5-1, 1-0 ASUN) and moved the all-time series to 3-1 in favor of KSU.

Jonathan Murphy scored three rushing touchdowns on the afternoon and posted 134 rushing yards on a school-record 39 attempts. He was also 4-of-13 through the air for 44 passing yards. The contest marked Murphy's sixth career game with 100+ rushing yards, tying him for the second-most in school history.   

The Kennesaw State defense recorded five turnovers on the afternoon with four fumbles recovered and one interception. This tied the program record which last occurred in the 2019 season at Hampton (Nov. 16).

Markeith Montgomery paced the KSU defense with seven tackles (four solo) and two forced fumbles. The safety became the first Owl to force multiple fumbles in a game since Tyler Moore last season at Robert Morris (Nov. 6).

On the first play of the game, Montgomery caused a fumble when he stripped the ball from JSU quarterback Zion Webb. Deontre Morris was close and fell on the loose ball to give the Owls' offense starting field position at the JSU 43.

Five plays later, Murphy found the end zone on a QB-keeper from one yard out. The drive was highlighted by an 18-yard rush from Preston Daniels that moved the ball down to the four-yard line. Daniels finished the afternoon with 58 rushing yards on eight attempts and averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

Montgomery continued to be a force on the Gamecock's second drive, as the senior forced another fumble that was recovered by the KSU defense. This time, Montgomery stripped the JSU running back before Garland Benyard scooped the ball to give Kennesaw State defense its second turnover of the afternoon.

Jacksonville State blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to take a 10-7 lead into the second quarter. The Owls' defense held the Gamecocks to 89 total yards and forced two fumbles in the first frame.

Murphy found paydirt again on the second possession of the second quarter, with a two-yard touchdown run. The KSU quarterback dove into the endzone to cap a nine-play, 40-yard drive that pushed the Owls ahead 14-10.

As halftime approached, the KSU offense put together a drive that stalled near midfield. On fourth down KSU was forced to punt, but the kick was muffed by the Jacksonville State returner. Chance Gamble fell on the ball to give the Owls their third turnover recovery of the half.

On the first play, Daniels took the handoff from the JSU eight-yard line and scored to give Kennesaw State a 21-10 advantage. The score marked the fourth of Daniel's career and was his third on the season.

With seconds remaining in the half, the KSU defense recorded its fourth turnover of the afternoon with its first interception. Gamble tipped a pass attempt from the JSU quarterback before Morris dove under the ball to secure the pick. This marked the second-straight game he recorded an interception.

JSU scored twice in the third quarter to take a 28-21 lead into the final frame. The Owls drove down the field to start the fourth quarter and took eight minutes off the clock. On fourth-and-long, KSU elected to punt, but another muffed kick gave KSU the ball on the JSU 5.

The offense took advantage of the field position and scored three plays later to tie the game, 28-28. Murphy kept the ball and extended over the goal line for a two-yard score. The touchdown marked the first time an Owl scored three rushing touchdowns in a game since Nov. 13 of last season at North Alabama (Xavier Shepherd).

Jacksonville State scored in overtime to secure its first win in series history over the Owls. The loss also snapped a 17-game win streak KSU football held in games that occurred during the month of October.

Kennesaw State is back at home next week for an ASUN matchup against North Alabama. The Owls are 2-0 in the all-time series, including last year's 28-24 thriller. The contest will be one-of-four straight inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium, with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.

Season tickets are still on sale for the 2022 season and feature the most affordable purchasing options in KSU football history. New benefits include the first football concessions discount and the option to purchase a season-long parking pass. Click here to purchase today.

Post-Game Notes

• The Owls' defense tied a KSU single-game record with five forced turnovers in the contest (four fumbles recovered and one interception).
• Kennesaw State has scored at least one point in 85 consecutive games and has reached double-digits in 63 straight.
• The Owls have now rushed for 150+ yards in 72 consecutive games against FCS opponents.
• Today's contest marked Jonathan Murphy's sixth career game with 100+ rushing yards, moving him into a tie for second place in Kennesaw State history.
• Jonathan Murphy has now rushed for 100+ yards in back-to-back games.
• Markeith Montgomery became the first Owl to force multiple fumbles in a game since Tyler Moore last season at Robert Morris (Nov. 6).
• Deontre Morris has recorded an interception in two-straight games.
• The loss snapped KSU's 17-game win streak for games that were played in the month of October.

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