KENNESAW, Ga. – Led behind a season-high 323 yards of offense and stifling defense, Kennesaw State football upended undefeated Liberty, 27-24, for its first NCAA FBS victory in school history on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Stadium.
The Flames (5-1, 3-1 Conference USA) struck first with a 15-yard touchdown through the air, but the Owls (1-6, 1-2 CUSA) didn't back down and responded with 14-straight points to take a lead of their own.
Quarterback
Davis Bryson connected with
Christian Moss through the air for a 41-yard touchdown strike before a 1-yard
Michael Benefield rush capped a four-play, 60-yard drive in the second quarter.
Despite the first career interception from redshirt junior
Tyler Hallum late in the second half, Liberty would then tie up the game heading into the half.
KSU's defense would then come out of the intermission with their hair on fire, forcing a three-and-out and holding the Flames to 49 yards of offense total in the third.
Running back
Qua Ashley found paydirt first, taking in a 6-yard rush to pull the Owls ahead with 8:02 minutes remaining in the third quarter before KSU kicker
Austin Welch went to work, converting field goals from 31 and 41 yards to keep the lead intact.
Overall, Bryson completed 16-of-20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown on the night to go along with 20 rushing yards. Benefield (54) and Ashley (52) combined for 106 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Through the air, true freshman wideout
Jaden Robinson had a season-high 72 yards on three catches, while Moss finished with 56 receiving yards and a TD.
Blake Bohannon also hauled in two catches for 37 yards, including a key 16-yard connection on the sideline to help ice the clock on the final drive.
Not to be outdone, the Owls' defense held Liberty to its lowest rushing output of the season (180 yards), getting led by redshirt senior
Sidney Porter, who recorded eight tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss on the game.
Defensive back
Tyler Hallum also had a career-game, recording six tackles, an interception and three pass breakups.
Donelius Johnson,
JeRico Washington Jr. and
Garland Benyard all chipped in six stops apiece, while Benyard also contributed 1.5 huge tackles for loss on the night.
Overall on the night, Kennesaw State's defense amassed 4.0 tackles for loss, six pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.
The Owls will now head out on the road for two weeks, beginning at Western Kentucky on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the KSU Owl Network.
Postgame Notes:
Team Notes
- Kennesaw State won its first-ever NCAA FBS victory in school history.
- Kennesaw State won its first game as an NCAA FBS program.
- Kennesaw State won its second-straight game over Liberty.
- Kennesaw State improved to 2-2 all-time against Liberty.
- Kennesaw State snapped the longest active regular season win streak in NCAA FBS at 17 (Liberty).
- Kennesaw State amassed a season-best 323 yards of offense (prev. 270 vs. Jacksonville State).
- Kennesaw State held Liberty to its lowest rushing output (180 yards) since last season (168 - January 1, 2024 vs. Oregon).
- Kennesaw State held Liberty to just 3 yards on its opening possession of the second half, the fewest managed by Liberty to start a second half this season, their second-fewest to start any half and the fewest allowed by KSU to open a half this season.
- Kennesaw State has now scored in all 108 games in its program history.
- KSU has scored at least 10 points in all 56 home games in program history.
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Individual Notes
- R-Jr. WR Christian Moss recorded his first receiving touchdown of his career on a 41-yard strike from r-So. QB Davis Bryson in the first quarter.
- The 41-yard reception was also the longest of Moss' career.
- R-Sr. RB Michael Benefield's 1-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter was the eighth of his Kennesaw State career and ninth overall.
- R-So. RB Qua Ashley's 6-yard rushing touchdown was the first of his career.
- R-Jr. DB Tyler Hallum's interception in the second quarter was the first of his career.
- R-Jr. K Austin Welch improved to 11-for-11 on field goals this season when he connected from 31 and 41 yards in the fourth quarter. He is one of just three kickers in FBS to hold a 1.000 percentage with 10 or more attempts.
- Fr. WR Jaden Robinson's 41-yard reception in the second quarter was the longest of his young career.
- Robinson finished with 72 receiving yards was also a new career high.
- R-Fr. DB Que Billingsley made his first career start.
Multimedia:
Postgame Press Conference (Coach Bohannon)
Postgame Press Conference (Qua Ashley, Davis Bryson, Michael Benefield, Tyler Hallum, Garland Benyard, Austin Welch)
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