KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State football dropped a 24-13 decision to UT Martin on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls (0-4) offensive attacked struggled to get going in the first half, kickstarted by only running three plays in the first quarter, thanks largely to prolonged drives by the Skyhawks (2-3).
Despite the long drives, KSU's defense was a bright spot, only yielding 17 points overall and scoring the Black and Gold's lone touchdown on a 48-yard pick-six interception from redshirt sophomore defensive back Jayven Williams – the first of his career.
The Owls held UT Martin to its second-lowest offensive output of the season at just 284 total on the night.
Junior defensive back Milon Jones led the way with a career-high 10 tackles, while redshirt junior DB Sidney Porter and redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Juandarion Silas turned in eight and six stops, respectively.
For his part, redshirt sophomore quarterback Davis Bryson accounted for 144 yards of total offense (117 passing, 27 rushing), but two interceptions proved costly on the night with one being returned for a touchdown. His 35 pass attempts set a 16 completions fell just one shy of tying the program record for most in a single game.
Through the air, redshirt junior wideouts Blake Bohannon and Tykeem Wallace were top targets, hauling in 54 and 23 receiving yards, respectively. Bohannon's total includes a 32-yard dime dropped by redshirt freshman punter Jacob Ulrich on a fake in the third quarter.
Redshirt junior Austin Welch became the first kicker in program history to start his career 7-for-7 when he knocked home a 49-yard field goal as time expired in the first half and a 38-yarder in the fourth. His 49-yard kick was good for the second-longest in school history.
RB Patrick Smith led the way for UT Martin with 141 yards of offense and two rushing touchdowns.
Kennesaw State closes out its two-game homestand on a quick turnaround when it hosts Jacksonville State on Friday, Oct. 4 at Fifth Third Stadium. The game will mark the program's third nationally televised contest, airing on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. as well as being live on the KSU Owl Network.
Postgame Notes
Team Notes
- Kennesaw State falls to 0-4.
- Kennesaw State moves to 6-3 against opponents from the Ohio Valley Conference.
- Kennesaw State moves to 44-11 inside Fifth Third Stadium.
- Kennesaw State moves to 28-6 against non-conference foes inside Fifth Third Conference.
- Kennesaw State set team single-game records with 35 passing attempts on the night and tied the single-game record with 17 completions.
- Kennesaw State's pick-six in the second quarter was the Owls' first defensive touchdown since Nov. 11, 2023 (Markeith Montgomery, 34-yard INT TD against Virginia-Lynchburg).
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Individual Notes
- R-So. DB Jayven Williams' 48-yard pick-six in the second quarter was the first interception of his career. It marks the second time in program history an Owl's first career INT was a pick-six (prev. Nick Perotta vs. ETSU - Sept. 3, 2015).
- R-So. QB Davis Bryson set a school record with 34 pass attempts for the game.
- Jr. DB Milon Jones set a new career high in tackles with 10 - including seven in the first half (prev. 5 v. Louisiana – Sept. 7, 2024).
- R-Jr. K Austin Welch's 49-yard field goal to even the game as the first half expired made him the first kicker in program history to start 6-for-6 on field goals. He would then improve that to 7-for-7 on a 38-yard conversion in the fourth quarter.
- The 49-yard field goal was the second-longest in school history.
- R-Jr. WR Blake Bohannon posted a new career high with four receptions Saturday (prev. 3 on three separate occasions, last at San Jose State - Sept. 14, 2024).
- Fr. WR Jaden Robinson's third quarter catch was the first of his collegiate career.
- R-Sr. DB Chris Townsel made his first career start.
Multimedia
Postgame Press Conference (Coach Bohannon, Milon Jones, Blake Bohannon)
