KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State football dropped its second-straight, one-possession loss on Saturday, falling 23-17 to Sam Houston at Fifth Third Stadium.
 
Davis Bryson orchestrated a 10-play, 71-yard touchdown drive for the Owls (1-9, 1-5 Conference USA) with 1:46 remaining in the game, culminating in a 9-yard reception from Carson Kent to force overtime.
 
Unfortunately, the Bearkats (8-2, 5-1 CUSA) – who are second place in the conference – responded in overtime, using three plays and a game-ending quarterback scramble to score the final touchdown.
 
Offensively, Bryson led the way with 46 rushing yards to go along with a 16-for-24, 137-yard passing effort. Behind Bryson on the ground was Michael Benefield, who finished with 43 yards on 13 carries, including a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
 
Through the air, Blake Bohannon hauled in a team-best four receptions for 55 yards.
 
Defensively, Donelius Johnson continued to shine, making 15 tackles to go along with 1.0 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss overall. With his effort on Saturday, Johnson has amassed a whopping 30 stops in his last two games.
 
Behind Johnson, Sidney Porter recorded eight tackles and a quarterback hurries, while JeRico Washington Jr. tied his career high with seven stops, while also hauling in his first interception of the season – setting up the third-quarter score for KSU.
 
Sam Houston was led by QB Hunter Watson, who went 22-for-32 for 179 yards, while scoring two rushing touchdowns.
 
The Owls remain home for its final game in Fifth Third Stadium of the 2024 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 23 against FIU for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and the KSU Owl Network.
 

Postgame Notes

Team Notes 

• Kennesaw State falls to 1-9 overall  

• Kennesaw State moves to 1-5 in Conference USA play. 

• Kennesaw State moves to 0-3 against Sam Houston. 

• Kennesaw State moves to 3-5 in overtime games. 

• Kennesaw State moves to 2-2 in home overtime games. 

• Kennesaw State entered overtime for the second-straight week – only the second time in program history the Owls have played in extra time in back-to-back games (Oct. 1 and Oct. 8, 2022). 

• Kennesaw State has now scored in all 111 games in its program history. 

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Individual Notes 

• R-Sr. RB Michael Benefield's 1-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter was his fifth of the season. He now has a rushing touchdown in four-straight games. 

• R-Fr. DB JeRico Washington Jr.'s interception in the third quarter was the first of the season for him and fourth of his Kennesaw State career.  

• Washington tied his career high with seven tackles on the night as well. 

• R-So. LB Donelius Johnson led the way with 15 tackles – his second-consecutive game with double-digit stops. He has 30 tackles in his last two games (15 last week) 

• Fr. DL Jaiden Grimes made his first career start. 

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