KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State football scored twice in the final six minutes of the game to stage a thrilling comeback, 27-26, over FIU on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Stadium for its second FBS victory in school history and first under interim head coach Chandler Burks.
 
After the Panthers (3-8, 2-5 Conference USA) put up 319 yards of offense in the first half to take a 20-17 lead at the intermission, the Owls (2-9, 2-5 CUSA) outgained FIU 137-81 in the second half to complete the comeback.
 
Kennesaw State jumped up 10-0 thanks to a 36-yard field goal from Austin Welch before a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Davis Bryson.
 
The Owls capped the second quarter with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Preston Daniels before the Panthers took a 3-point lead heading into intermission.
 
The Black and Gold defense bent, but didn't break in the second half, holding FIU to field goals, but no touchdowns as they pulled ahead 26-17 with 9:10 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Kennesaw State then capitalized on good field position, using a 24-yard flea flicker to set up a 19-yard rushing TD from Bryson – his second of the day.
 
The Owls then stymied the FIU offense on the next drive as true freshman Jaiden Kimble forced a fumble that was recovered by redshirt junior Tylon Dunlap. KSU then drove down the field, using eight plays and 2:31 minutes off the clock as Welch converted the go-ahead 19-yard field goal with just 1:02 remaining in the game.

Icing the game on the final drive of the game was JeRico Washington Jr., who picked off FIU to seal the win for KSU.
 
Overall offensively, Bryson converted 17-for-29 for 185 yards on the day, while Carson Kent (56 yards) and Blake Bohannon (40 yards) led the receiving unit. Qua Ashley led the running backs room with 61 yards on 14 carries, while Bryson finished with two TDs on the ground.
 
Defensively, Juandarion Silas led the way with a career-high 10 stops and 0.5 tackles for loss. Seniors Jalen Barnum and Jordan Miles also showed out on Senior Day, recording seven and five tackles, respectively, with Miles recording three QB hurries and a huge fourth-quarter sacks.
 
Donelius Johnson also had seven tackles.
  
Kennesaw State will wrap up the regular season on the road on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Louisiana Tech. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the KSU Owl Network.