KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State football suffered its first setback of the season in a 31-17 defeat to Georgia State on Saturday night at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium.
The Owls and Panthers traded field goals on each team's first drive, but Georgia State took control of the game, scoring 25 unanswered points by the 4:42 mark of the third quarter.
Two late touchdowns brought the Owls within two scores with under two minutes to play, but an unsuccessful onside kick ended KSU's comeback effort.
Georgia State gained 483 total yards to the Owls' 332. A 230-72 advantage for GSU in rush yards and a 2-of-9 mark for KSU on third down hampered the Black and Gold throughout the night.
Time of possession also fell in the Panthers' favor as well, with Georgia State's running 70 plays in 37:47, while keeping KSU off the field to the tune of 56 total plays and 22:13 -- its least amount since Middle Tennessee (21:01 vs. Sept. 27, 2025).
Rickie Collins finished as the Owls' top offensive player, completing a season-best 22-of-35 attempts for 260 yards and one passing touchdown. He also led the Owls in rushing with 10 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Zion Booker led KSU as its top target with five catches for 52 yards, while
Javon Rogers added a game-high 74 receiving yards on three grabs.
Linebacker
Baron Hopson tallied a team-high 11 tackles while defensive lineman
Marcus Patterson recorded a career-high eight stops, including a tackle for loss.
Field goals on the first three drives on the game had KSU trailing 6-3 after the first quarter. Three of the Panthers' next five drives finished in the end zone before the Owls found some momentum with 1:14 to play in the third on
Cam Miller's first-career interception at the KSU 35-yard line.
The Owl offense made quick work off the turnover, with Collins scampering 12 yards for a touchdown three plays later. Collins then cut the deficit to 31-11 with a successful 2-point conversion completion to
Brayden Munroe.
KSU's defense forced a turnover on downs with 5:31 to play, setting up Collins and the offense for one more scoring drive. The Owls found the end zone in 11 plays with Collins finding
Jamari Harrold for a 3-yard scoring strike - the first of his career.
After consecutive home games to open the season, the Owls make their first road trip of the season to Knoxville, Tenn., where a matchup with the No. 18-ranked Volunteers awaits on Sept. 19. Watch KSU face Tennessee live from Neyland Stadium next Saturday at 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network.
Postgame Notes
Team Notes
- Kennesaw State moves to 1-1 overall.
- Kennesaw State moves to 0-2 all-time against Georgia State.
- Kennesaw State has its eight-game home win streak snapped. Its the first home loss under Jerry Mack (last home loss on Nov. 16, 2024 – 23-17 to Sam Houston (OT)).
- Kennesaw State suffered only its fifth loss in 16 games under head coach Jerry Mack.
- Kennesaw State moves to 1-3 against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
- Kennesaw State only possessed the ball for 22:13, marking the least amount of time possessing the ball since 21:01 vs. Middle Tennessee (Sept. 27, 2025)
Individual Notes
- r-Jr. QB Rickie Collins scampered in from 11 yards at the end of the third quarter for his third rushing touchdown of the season and fourth of his career.
- r-Sr. DL Ugonna Nwoha recorded his third quarterback hurry of the season.
- r-Fr. K Daniel Kinney connected on a field goal from 29 yards in the first quarter, moving him to 6-for-7 for his young career.
- Gr. LB Baron Hopson finished with 11 tackles, marking his first double-digit tackling game this year and his 10th double-digit tackling game in the last two seasons.
- r-Sr. DL Marcus Patterson doubled his career high, finishing with 8 tackles on the night. He also recorded a tackle for loss. (prev. 4, twice – last vs. Middle Tennessee (Sept. 12, 2025)).
- So. DB Tay'vion Lawson also had a career night, finishing with 7 tackles. (prev. 4, twice – last vs. Western Michigan (Dec. 19, 2025).
- r-Sr. DB Cam Miller hauled in his first career interception at the end of the third quarter.
- So. TE Jamari Harrold caught his first career touchdown pass, a three-yard strike from Collins in the fourth quarter.
- R-Sr. P Matt McKenzie boomed a new career-long punt of 55 yards that was downed at the 3-yard line, pinning Georgia State deep.
Multimedia
Postgame Press Conference (Coach Mack, Baron Hopson, Rickie Collins)
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