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MARTIN, Tenn. – Kennesaw State football swiped a school-record five interceptions in a 44-27 victory over No. 15 UT-Martin on Saturday afternoon inside Hardy Graham Stadium.

Leading 31-27 with 2:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, Deontre Morris picked off his fourth interception of the season to ice the game and give Kennesaw State its first regular-season road win over a ranked opponent in program history.

With the win, the Owls (5-4, 1-2 ASUN Conference) improved to 6-0 all time against the Ohio Valley Conference and gave the Skyhawks (5-4, 3-0 OVC) their first home loss on the season.

The victory marked KSU's ninth win over a ranked opponent in school history and first since the Owls defeated No. 24 Monmouth, 49-17, last season in the Big South Championship game.

Defensively, Chance Gamble led the way with a career-high eight tackles (seven solo) and three interceptions. The sophomore became the first KSU player with three picks in a game since Donte Blackmon in 2016 (at Duquesne) and set a new program record for longest interception return for a touchdown (89 yards).

Other defensive notables were Jalen Barnum who set a career-high with eight tackles (one solo) and Markeith Montgomery who added a pick in his fourth-straight game.

Travis Bell recorded the 10.5 sack of his career to move into fourth place in the Owl record book for career sacks. Garland Benyard also registered one sack in the contest and finished with six tackles (all assisted).

Offensively, Isaac Foster paced the rushing attack with 97 rushing yards on a career-high 13 attempts. The graduate averaged 7.5 yards-per-carry in the contest.

Xavier Shepherd posted a nice afternoon with 86 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries. The game marked the quarterback's sixth career game with three rushing touchdowns. Shepherd also went 3-of-8 through the air with 123 passing yards and two scores.

After the KSU defense forced a three-and-out on UT-Martin's first possession, the offense put together a 14-play drive to swipe the early lead. Connor Cummins converted on a 27-yard field goal that moved the score to 3-0. The Owls drove 42 yards down field and took 7:38 off the clock to mark the sixth time this season the offense scored on its opening drive.

Two plays after the field goal, the KSU defense struck again when Gamble stepped in front of a deep pass to record his first interception of the season. The sophomore returned the ball 42 yards all the way to the UTM 24-yard line. The pick was the second of Gamble's first since the 2021 FCS Playoffs at ETSU.

Shepherd led the offense into the end zone four plays later to capitalize on the exceptional starting-field position. The drive began when Foster exploded on a 21-yard run that moved the ball to the UTM-2. Shepherd dove into the end zone two plays later which gave the Owls a 10-0 advantage.

The Skyhawks kicked a 25-yard field goal to get on the board at the start of the second quarter, but Kennesaw State answered with another touchdown to make the score 17-7.

On third-and-long, Gabriel Benyard caught a 30-yard pass from Shepherd that moved the chains into UTM territory. Foster converted on another third down with a 12-yard rush that put the ball on the five-yard line. Shepherd then went untouched on a five-yard run to score his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon.

UTM scored 24 unanswered points to take a 27-17 lead into the third quarter.

The Owls pulled the score closer on a nine-play scoring drive with 2:10 left in the third. Shepherd connected with Benyard again for a 32-yard pass that moved KSU within three, 27-24. The receiving touchdown marked back-to-back games that Benyard recorded a touchdown reception.  

Kennesaw State's defense forced a quick punt on the ensuing drive to give its offense the ball back. Two plays later, Shepherd found Blake Bohannon on a 61-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead. The score was the first of Bohannon's career and marked his longest career reception.

The Skyhawks next possession ended early when Gamble swiped his second pick of the day. On third-and-long, the sophomore corner out-jumped a UTM receiver to collect his third career interception. With the pick, Gamble became the first Owl with two interceptions in a single game since 2017.

Morris recorded KSU's third pick of the afternoon on the Skyhawks next drive and returned the ball down to the UTM 4-yard line. Two plays later, Shepherd put the game on ice with his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon to move the score to 38-27.

As UT-Martin attempted to claw back, Gamble swiped his third pick of the day and returned it 89 yards for a touchdown as time expired. This moved the score to 44-27 to seal Kennesaw State's third-straight victory.

KSU football is back inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium next Saturday as the team squares off with Austin Peay in its final home game of the regular season. The contest will be the Owls' annual Senior Day and Military Appreciation game. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN+. Click here to purchase tickets.    

Post-Game Notes

• KSU earned its first regular-season road win in program history against a ranked opponent.
• The win marked Kennesaw State's ninth total victory over a ranked opponent in school history.
• The Owls improve to 6-0 all time against the Ohio Valley Conference and 3-0 on the road.
• KSU has won each of the last 44 games when it scores 32 points and is 47-1 all-time when reaching that mark.
• The Owls have rushed for 150+ yards in 77 straight games vs. FCS opponents dating back to week 11 of the 2015 season.
• Kennesaw State has scored a point in 90 straight games and has reached double-digits in 68 consecutive contests.
• Chance Gamble tied the KSU record for most picks in a game with three and set a new school record for longest INT return (89 yards).
• Senior Markeith Montgomery recorded an interception in his fourth-straight game.
• Travis Bell moved into fourth place all time in the KSU record book with his 10.5 sack.
• Isaac Foster recorded a career-high 13 carries and posted 97 rushing yards.
• Xavier Shepherd registered five total touchdowns (3 rush, 2 pass) and tallied his sixth career game with three rushing touchdowns. 
• Blake Bohannon caught his first career touchdown pass on a career-long 61-yard reception. 
• Gabriel Benyard has tallied receiving touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
• Jalen Barnum set a career high with eight total tackles (one solo).

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