Top Storylines:
• Kennesaw State football continues its highly anticipated in-state matchups when it hosts Georgia State, separated by just 25 miles, to the lights of Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium on Saturday night.
• The Owls and Panthers square off on the gridiron for just the second time in the two programs’ history, where KSU fell in the fourth quarter despite out-gaining GSU, 382-315.
• The Owls are coming off a 47-0 rout of West Georgia last Thursday where KSU recorded 500 yards of offense for the third time under head coach Jerry Mack.
• Kennesaw State also became one of just five teams in the country to keep a team from converting a third down, holding West Georgia to 0-for-12 -- the most attempts of any of the four other teams.
• Kennesaw State’s seven total third downs allowed ranked tied for sixth nationally and fewest among Group of Six programs.
• The Owls are a perfect 7-0 under Mack and have won eight-straight at Fifth Third Stadium dating back to 2024, marking the ninth-longest active home win streak in FBS and the second-longest in Group of Six.
• Sr. RB Triston Morgan was named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week for his all-around play last week. He recorded 131 all-purpose yards (47 KO return, 76 rushing/1 TD, and 7 receiving) and blocked a punt.
• r-Jr. QB Rickie Collins was ultra-efficient in his KSU debut last Thursday, turning in the highest completion percentage (78.3 - 18-of-23) in Conference USA, en route to 171 passing yards, and a passing touchdown, as well as 51 rushing yards and two rushing scores.
• r-Sr. DL Ugonna Nwoha wreaked havoc on the defensive end, tallying a 3-yard tackle for loss, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries to record a 93.6 defensive Pro Football Focus grade, good for 17th nationally, seventh among Group of Six and tops in CUSA.
• Also shining was r-Sr. DB Cam Miller, who co-lead the team with four tackles, but also recorded the second-best defensive PFF grade among safeties (85.1) and also recorded the third-best coverage grade (88.3) in the league.
• Owl Nation saw the return of Marietta native r-Sr. DB Tyler Hallum, who saw his first action in 642 days after missing 2025 due to injury. He finished with three tackles.
