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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State football fell to Central Arkansas by a score of 51-24 on Saturday afternoon inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The loss snapped the Owls' (2-4, 1-2 ASUN Conference) 13-game home win-streak as the team moved to 0-1 all-time against the Bears (3-4, 2-0 ASUN).

Xavier Shepherd finished the afternoon 14-for-29 passing with 211 yards. His 29 passing attempts set a new single-game program record and the 211 passing yards set a new personal best. The quarterback also added 40 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Other offensive notables were Isaac Foster and Blake Bohannon. Foster added nine carries for 52 yards with one touchdown in the game. The Summerville, Ga. native also caught three passes for 22 yards.

Blake Bohannon set a career-high in both receptions (3) and receiving yards (50) in the contest. He also had one catch go for 18 yards to mark the third-longest of his career.
  
Defensively, Kennesaw State was led by Markeith Montgomery and Garland Benyard. Montgomery registered six tackles (three solo) and swiped his seventh career interception that moved him into second place all-time in the KSU record book.  

Gar. Benyard posted a team-high 10 tackles (5 solo) which set a new career-best for the sophomore. The linebacker has recorded six-or-more tackles three times this season.

Central Arkansas struck on its first drive to take an early 7-0 lead. The Bears then forced a punt on KSU's first possession, but the ball was muffed and fell on by Gabriel Benyard at the UCA 45-yard line.

The Owls used the field position to their advantage and tied the game eight plays later on a 9-yard touchdown run from Foster. Foster was the main target on the drive, posting a first-down catch of 11 yards and an explosive run that went for 19-yards.

The Bears scored 17 unanswered in the second quarter before Kennesaw State notched a field goal with 1:37 remaining in the half.  Shepherd completed three passes to move the ball down the field and set up Conor Cummins' third career field goal.

UCA blasted a 48-yard field goal as the second quarter expired to take a 27-10 lead into halftime.

The Owls pulled the game closer with a quick, three-play drive in the third quarter. Shepherd found Yesiah Clemons for a 53-yard touchdown reception that moved the score to 27-17. The catch marked the first of the running back's career and was KSU's second scoring drive of under one minute this season (54 seconds).

Midway through the fourth quarter, Deontre Morris recorded his third interception on the season. The offense followed with an eight-play scoring drive capped off with a two-yard touchdown run by Shepherd.

Central Arkansas pulled away in the second half to earn a 51-24 victory. The loss snapped a seven-game home conference winning streak for the Owls. The streak was one shy of tying the program record.

Kennesaw State football is back at home next week for its annual Homecoming game, as the team hosts Tennessee Tech. The matchup will be the third in series history between the Owls and Golden Eagles, with KSU holding a 2-0 lead.  Kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Click here to purchase tickets.

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