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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State football fell to Tennessee State by a score of 27-20 on Saturday at Fifth Third Stadium. A record 10,436 fans were in attendance for the program's annual Homecoming game.

Leading the offense was Michael Benefield who set a career high with 101 rushing yards in the contest. The senior tallied 18 carries and was the first 100-yard rusher for Kennesaw State this season.
 
Jonathan Murphy was 12-of-29 through the air with 144 passing yards. The Los Angeles native also recorded two rushing touchdowns during the evening.

Davis Bryson was second on the team in rushing as the sophomore posted five carries for 57 yards. Bryson broke one run that went for 36 yards and marked the longest of his career.

Defensively, Baron Hopson led the Owls with seven tackles (two solo). The linebacker was credited with three quarterback hurries and 0.5 tackles for loss.

Markeith Montgomery also added a big night as the senior led the team with two tackles for loss. Montgomery collected six tackles (three solo) and had one quarterback hurry.

The Tigers kicked a 51-yard field goal on their first drive and followed with a touchdown later in the first quarter to take a 10-0 lead.

Murphy and the Owls answered with a six play, 75-yard drive that cut the deficit to three. The quarterback connected with Connor Finer for a 29-yard reception and then Gabriel Benyard for a 21-yard catch.

With the ball on the one-yard line, Murphy glided into the endzone for his fourth rushing score of the season. This marked the 24^th rushing touchdown of Murphy's career as the Owls trailed 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.  

The Kennesaw State defense forced a three-and-out on TSU's first drive of the second quarter. The offense answered and a 29-yard field goal from Conor Cummins tied the game, 10-10, with 11:19 left in the half.

Tennessee State kicked a field goal with 46 seconds remaining in the second quarter to take a 13-10 lead into halftime.

A four-yard touchdown pass put the Tigers up by 10 midway through the third quarter, but Gab. Benyard returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards to the TSU 14-yard line.

Five plays later, Murphy dove into the endzone from one yard out to pull the score to 20-17 in favor of the Tigers. This marked the first time this season Murphy registered multiple rushing touchdowns in a game.

Tennessee State extended its lead back to 10 with a 20-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Cummins pulled KSU back within one score as the junior blasted a 46-yard field goal with 7:20 left in the game.

With under a minute left, Kennesaw State was stopped on fourth down that gave TSU the ball to kneel out the clock and hold on to a 27-20 victory.

The Owls have two weeks off before being back in action at Fifth Third Stadium on Oct. 28 versus Lincoln (Calif.). Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN+. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.

For more information on ticketing, group sales and premium suite options, call 470-578-OWLS or email Shawn Betz at sbetz1@kennesaw.edu.
 
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