Top Storylines:
• Kennesaw State opens a two-game road stint -- its first road contests of the 2026 season -- against No. 15/14 Tennessee on Saturday night, under the lights, in a nationally televised meeting on SEC Network.
• The Owls will be facing their first-ever opponent from the Southeastern Conference, having previously faced off against ACC and Big Ten opponents from the Power 4 ranks. Saturday’s game also marks the second AP Top 25 opponent for KSU - prev. then-No. 23 Indiana in 2025.
• The Owls enter Saturday’s contest ranked among the nation’s top 40 in three different offensive statistical categories -- red zone (1.000 - 1st), sacks allowed (1.00 - 34th) and completion percentage (.696 - 37th) -- while ranking among CUSA’s top-3 in seven categories -- red zone, sacks allowed, completion percentage, rushing offense (184.5 - first), first downs/game (24.0 - first), scoring offense (32.0 - second), and total offense (427.5 - third).
• On the flipside, the KSU defense enters Saturday ranked among the nation’s top 40 in four different statistical categories -- fumbles recovered (3 - fifth), third-down percentage (.240 - 18th), turnovers gained (4 - 22nd), and first downs allowed (30 - 38th) -- while also ranking among CUSA’s top-3 in five categories -- fumbles recovered, third-down percentage, turnovers gained, first downs allowed, and scoring defense (15.5 - first).
• r-Jr. QB Rickie Collins continues to be ultra-efficient, leading Conference USA in completion percentage (.690), while also leading CUSA in points responsible per game (16.0).
• Collins is one of just 15 quarterbacks in Group of Six to complete 60 percent of his passes in each of their games to start season.
• No player in NCAA Division I FBS has more double-digit tackling games over the past two seasons than Gr. LB Baron Hopson after he recorded 11 tackles last Saturday against Georgia State.
• The Owls recorded two career firsts in Week 2 as r-Sr. DB Cam Miller recorded his first career interception and So. TE Jamari Harrold recorded his first TD. r-Sr. DL Marcus Patterson also tallied a career-high eight tackles.
• Saturday’s matchup is a homecoming of sorts for KSU head coach Jerry Mack, who was the Vols’ running backs coach from 2021-23 under Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
• KSU offensive coordinator/QB’s coach Mitch Militello (2021-24), running backs coach Aston Walter (2022-24) and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Kyle Blocker (2022-23) also coached at Tennessee prior to Kennesaw.
2026 KENNESAW STATE FOOTBALL SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Single-game tickets begin for as low as $25. Catch all the action of Kennesaw State’s Conference USA schedule that includes a rematch of the 2025 CUSA Championship Game vs. Jax State (Oct. 7), as well as matchups against Liberty (Oct. 22), Delaware (Nov. 7) and FIU (Nov. 21).
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
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