Kennesaw State University Athletics

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Boogie Woods III rushed for two touchdowns and 101 yards on the ground, but Kennesaw State football fell 17-14 to Arkansas State in a back-and-forth affair to finish non-conference play at Centennial Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

The Owls (1-3) had a chance to tie the game at the 2:59 mark in the fourth quarter, but the normally sure-footed Daniel Kinney misfired on a 32-yard try – his first miss of the season and second miss of his career – to keep the deficit at three.

Kennesaw State and the Red Wolves (2-2) traded blows throughout the game, ending in a stalemate through 20 minutes of the game, but it would be Arkansas State who would strike first, scoring on a 14-yard reception with 4:42 left in the second quarter.

The Owls struck back three minutes later when Woods found paydirt for the first time on Saturday, capping a 9-play, 79-yard march with an 8-yard dive up the middle to tie the game.

After taking a 7-7 stalemate to the half, the Owls got a key stop on A-State's opening drive before KSU got to work. The Black and Gold then marched down the field on a 14-play, 76-yard drive – tied for the longest this season – that ended with Woods once again finding the endzone on a 6-yard scurry to go up 14-7 with 4:24 left in the third.

The Red Wolves wouldn't go away, though, equalizing the score once again with just over 80 seconds remaining in the third quarter as they powered in a 2-yard rush to the endzone.

The Owls then stymied a seven-play drive by Arkansas State, holding them to a 33-yard field goal to make it a 17-14 game, before going on a 13-play drive themselves, but couldn't come away with points.

Quarterback Rickie Collins finished the game 17-of-24 (.708) for 129 yards on the night and 52 yards rushing for 181 yards of offense.

An Owl eclipsed the century mark for the 63rd time on Saturday, as Woods took 19 carries for 101 yards (5.3 ypc) and the two scores. He also hauled in five catches for 20 yards for 121 yards from scrimmage on the night.

The Owls' defense was led by Luke Evans, who finished with a career-high nine tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Baron Hopson also had a fine game, recording eight stops and 1.5 tackles for loss.

KSU finished with 4.0 tackles for loss on the night, with Josh Anglin and Ugonna Nwoha chipping in 0.5 TFL and a sack, respectively.

Kennesaw State will have about 10 days of rest before returning home to kick off Conference USA action and midweek matchups with a rematch of the 2025 CUSA Championship game on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. Tickets for the showdown can be purchased by clicking HERE!
 

Postgame Notes 

Team Notes 

• Kennesaw State drops to 1-3 overall. 

• Kennesaw State moves to 1-1 all-time against Arkansas State. 

• Kennesaw State moves to 1-4 against members of the Sun Belt Conference. 

• Kennesaw State drops three-straight games for the first time in 679 days (since Nov. 16, 2024). 

• Kennesaw State suffered only its seventh loss in 18 games under head coach Jerry Mack. 

• Kennesaw State only had one negative rush all night as they amassed 197 yards on the ground – its second-highest total this season (297 vs. West Georgia on Sept. 3). 

• Kennesaw State did not allow a sack on the game. 

• Kennesaw State finished with 4.0 tackles for loss on the game – the second-most this season. 

• Kennesaw State held Arkansas State to 5-of-12 (.417) on third down, bringing the Owls' total on the season to 15-of-47 (.319). 

Individual Notes 

• r-So. RB Boogie Woods III scampered in from 8 yards out with 1:23 left in the first half to score his second touchdown as an Owl. 

• Woods then scored his second touchdown of the day on a 6-yard blast up the middle in the third quarter, setting a new career high (prev. 1 vs. West Georgia (Sept. 3, 2026)). It's the third time this season an Owl has rushed for multiple touchdowns in a single game. 

• Woods finished with a career-high 101 rushing yards (prev. 49 vs. West Georgia) (Sept. 3, 2026)). It marked the 63rd time in program history an Owl eclipsed the century mark and first this season. 

• Woods finished with 121 all-purpose yards, also hauling in five catches for 20 yards. 

• r-Jr. DB Luke Evans had a career night, making a career-high nine tackles (prev. 5 vs. Ohio (Dec. 7, 2024*)). His 1.0 tackles for loss also marked a new personal best (prev. 0.5 vs. Central Michigan (Oct. 26, 2024*)). 

• r-Sr. DL Ugonna Nwoha tied his career high with 1.0 sacks on the night (5x, last at FIU (Oct. 21, 2025)). 

• With a career-high eight tackles last week and seven tackles tonight, r-Sr. DB Perry Fisher has amassed 15 tackles in the last two games. 

2026 KENNESAW STATE FOOTBALL 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). Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE!
 
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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