By: Nolan Alexander
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Ahead of its first season in Conference USA, Kennesaw State placed four members to the CUSA preseason watch list.
Gabriel Benyard, Ethan Newman, Sidney Porter, and Pooda Walker represented the Owls on CUSA's Friday announcement.
Benyard was named to both the Offense and Special Teams watch lists. Newman joined him on the offensive side, while Porter and Walker represented the defense.
Benyard played in four games last season and received a redshirt. Despite the limited action, he led the team in receiving yards (333) and receiving touchdowns (4). The dynamic offensive threat also tallied 116 rushing yards with one rushing score. The redshirt-junior had a career night against Furman (Sept. 16) by setting new personal bests in rushing yards (65), receptions (6), receiving yards (136), longest reception (61) and receiving touchdowns (2). Against Tennessee State (Oct. 7), the Ocilla, Ga. native returned a kickoff for a career-long 84 yards.
Benyard has dotted the record books across special teams. In 2022, he was an ASUN Conference All-Special Teams selection while setting the KSU record for most punt return yards in a single game (117 vs. Charleston Southern).
As a freshman in 2021, he returned the first punt for a touchdown in KSU history versus Davidson in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs. The occasion also marked the Big South's first postseason put return score.
Newman made an impact up front as a true freshman last fall. He played in four games with three starts along the offensive line. The Navarre, Fla. product tallied 219 snaps on the season. At 6-3, 300 pounds, Newman enters his redshirt-freshman campaign this season.
Porter and Walker were both transfers that were quickly inserted as defensive regulars. Porter played in seven games with four starts on the season. The defensive back ended the year with 27 tackles (19 solo) and two interceptions. He recorded two tackles (one solo) and his first interception as an Owl in the season-opening win against Tusculum (Aug. 31). The Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Native shined against current CUSA foe Sam Houston State (Nov. 4) when he set a KSU career high in tackles with 11 total (10 solo). After transferring from St. Thomas before last season, Porter begins his redshirt-junior campaign this fall.
Walker, who joined the Owls after starring at West Florida, appeared in four games with four starts and received a redshirt. The Pensacola, Fla. product ended the season with 17 tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss and one sack. The defensive lineman recorded his first sack of the season and set a career high in tackles with eight total (two solo) against Furman (Sept. 16). Walker tallied six tackles (one solo) on Homecoming against Tennessee State (Oct. 7). Like Porter, Walker begins his redshirt-junior season this fall.
In 2024, Kennesaw State faces an exciting lineup during its Conference USA debut. The Owls enter only their 10th year of competition with home matchups against defending champion Liberty and bowl-winner Jacksonville State, along with five first-time opponents, including the first FBS home game Sept. 7 against Louisiana.
Head coach Brian Bohannon leads the program into a new era with new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Co-coordinators Chandler Burks and Stewart Cook take over offensive responsibilities. Since the start of KSU football, Cook has been on staff every season and Burks has played or coached in nine of the 10 campaigns.
Greg Harris leads as defensive coordinator after spending four years as the linebackers coach at Kennesaw State. Harris leads a defensive unit that held opponents to 17.9 points per game which ranked ninth in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Season tickets are now on sale for the Kennesaw State's 10th season of competition and first as a member of CUSA. Fans can click here to purchase their seat for the upcoming football season, by calling 470-578-OWLS or emailing Shawn Betz at sbetz1@kennesaw.edu.
