KENNESAW, Ga. – For the first time in program history, Kennesaw State football has received votes in this week's
Associated Press and US LBM (USA Today) Coaches College Football Top 25 polls, which were released Sunday afternoon.
Kennesaw State (10-3) received a total of three points in this week's AP Poll, good for 15
th in the "also receiving votes" category (40
th overall). The Owls also received three points in the USA Today poll, good for 16
th in the "others receiving votes" category (41
st overall).
Kennesaw State enters the AP and USA Today voting on the strength of a Conference USA Championship, earned on Friday in a thrilling 19-15 victory over Jax State that saw QB
Amari Odom and the Owls drive down the field and connect with WR
Navelle Dean with under a minute remaining for the game-winning touchdown.
Entering championship weekend, the Owls ranked top 5 in Conference USA in 23 statistical categories and top-50 nationally in five and are one of the hottest teams in the nation.
One of the best stories in college sports, Kennesaw State's 10 wins mark:
- Only the fifth time a team has won 10 or more games in its second year of FBS play.
- The seventh-biggest year-over-year turnaround in college football history (+8 games).
- The fifth-largest year-over-year turnaround since 2000 and the third-largest since 2015.
The acknowledgment by AP and USA Today votes are the first for Kennesaw State since joining the NCAA Division I FBS ranks last year, but it is not the Owls' first foray into national rankings. In FCS national rankings, KSU ranked as high as No. 2/2 (Coaches Poll/STATS Poll) in 2018.
The last time Kennesaw State was ranked in a national poll was Week 2 of 2022 (No. 19 FCS).
In its new FBS era, the CUSA Champion Kennesaw State Owls await their first-ever bowl destination on Sunday, Dec. 7.
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
For more information on Kennesaw State athletics, follow @KennesawStFB on X/Twitter or like Kennesaw State Football on Facebook and Instagram.
