By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State football is on the road for the final time of the 2023 season as the team visits Sam Houston for a matchup of future Conference USA foes. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. (ET) and will broadcasted live on ESPN+.
The Rundown
Opponent: Sam Houston Bearkats (0-8)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
Site: Elliott T. Stadium; Huntsville, Texas
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. (ET)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KSU Owls App
Live Stats: Click Here
Game Notes: KSU |
SHSU
2023 Schedule: Click Here
FB Media Guide: Click Here
Top Storylines
- Head coach Brian Bohannon was busy this offseason, hiring both a new offensive and defensive coordinator. New OC Chris Klenakis joins KSU from Liberty and has coached both Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and former NFC Champion Colin Kaepernick in his career. KSU's new DC Nathan Burton previously spent time as Georgia Tech's co-defensive coordinator and as a secondaries coach for the USFL's New Orleans Breakers.
- The Owls and Bearkats have met only one time with the matchup coming during the 2017 FCS Quarterfinals. Sam Houston earned a 34-27 victory in a game that saw Kennesaw State rush for over 350 yards.
- Kennesaw State running back Michael Benefield has led the charge on the ground for the Owls posting back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Tennessee State (101) and Lincoln (105).
- Entering week ten of the 2023 college football season, Deontre Morris is at the top of the FCS active career leaderboard for interceptions per game. Morris is averaging 0.39 interceptions per game played.
- The Kennesaw State offense has scored a point in 99-straight games and has reached the double-digit mark in 76 of the last 77 contests.
- In its 99 games as a program, Kennesaw State football has been out-rushed nine times. Out of those nine, KSU has been out-rushed six times on the road out of 46 contests.
- Against No. 7 Furman on Sept. 16, Jonathan Murphy set KSU individual single-game records for completions (17) and passing yards (308). Murphy became the only quarterback in school history to surpass the 300-yard passing mark in a single game.
Numbers to Know
- 100 – Saturday's matchup will be the 100th in Kennesaw State football history. The team holds a 70-29 record heading into the weekend.
- 38 – A Kennesaw State win would be the 38th non-conference victory in school history.
- 2 – An Owl victory would be the second time the team has defeated a school from Texas (Texas Southern, 2017).
- 1 – Kennesaw State would earn its first win over an FBS opponent with a victory on Saturday. The team has only played four FBS opponents in program history.
- 1 – 2023 is the final season for Kennesaw State football in the FCS classification. The Owls officially join the FBS and Conference USA effective July 1, 2024.
Best Ever
No other start-up program in college football history had more wins in its first five seasons than Kennesaw State with 48 victories.
Dynasty Mode
Dating back to week two of the 2017 season, Kennesaw State has won 56 of its last 76 games for a .737 winning percentage.
Double Up
The Owls are 50-7 when they score inside the last three minutes of the first half (38 TD's and 19 FG's). When KSU scores within the last three minutes of the first half AND on its first possession of the second half, the team is 32- 0.
Fourth Down Success
Since its inaugural season in 2015, Kennesaw State has the most fourth down attempts AND most successful conversions in the FCS (minimum 100 attempts).
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