Top Storylines:
• Kennesaw State football looks to get back to .500 on the season when it makes its first-ever visit to Arkansas State on Saturday.
• Kennesaw State finds itself in familiar territory, standing at 1-2 for the second-straight season with Arkansas State as the next opponent. Last year, in the teams’ first-ever meeting, the Owls jumped out to a 21-0 lead early and withstood a late push from the Red Wolves. KSU would go on to win eight of its next nine.
• Defensively, Kennesaw State will look to continue wreaking havoc, currently ranking third nationally with four fumbles recovered on the season (behind Notre Dame and Old Dominion) and co-leading Conference USA with six fumbles forced.
• r-Sr. OLB Kai Russell broke out on the scene last Saturday against then-No. 15/14 Tennessee, recording the top defensive grade in the nation among edge defenders (92.5). He stuffed the stat sheet with seven tackles, a strip sack and two pass breakups on the night.
• Russell has recorded 13 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and two passes defended on the young season. He is one of only five FBS players to register those numbers through three games this season, one of only six CUSA players in the last decade and 15 CUSA players in the last 20 years to do so in the first three games of a season.
• r-Jr. QB Rickie Collins has quietly put together one of the top starts of the seasons among Group of Six quarterbacks, ranking seventh in overall offensive grade (75.6) by Pro Football Focus, while also ranking top-30 nationally in four different categories and top 3 in CUSA in six different categories.
• Ultra-efficient to start, Collins is one of just 26 quarterbacks in FBS and one of just 10 QB’s in Group of Six to complete 60 percent of his passes in each of their games to start season.
• One of Collins’ top targets has been Sr. WR Zion Booker, who set the program record with 10 receptions last Saturday for 78 yards.
• Booker has hauled in 20 passes for a team-best 161 yards and ranks among the best receivers in Group of Six, according to PFF, who ranks him eighth with a 78.2 receiving grade.
• Saturday’s matchup will be another homecoming for KSU head coach Jerry Mack in 2026, who graduated and played wide receiver at Arkansas State (2001-03).
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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