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Kennesaw State Owls Football Stories
Kennesaw State Football’s Full 2026 Slate Announced
Highlighted by six home games, including a rematch of the 2025 Conference USA Championship against Jax State, Kennesaw State football's complete 2026 schedule was unveiled Thursday night by Conference USA. The Owls also announced that the 2026 season-opener against West Georgia at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium will kick off under the lights on Thursday, September 3.
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Western Michigan mauls Kennesaw State in Myrtle Beach Bowl
Western Michigan ran for 303 yards, forced four turnovers and blasted Kennesaw State 41-6 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Friday afternoon in Conway, S.C. Jalen Buckley started the game with a 65-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. Western Michigan jumped all over the Owls from the start, leading 14-0 just 76 seconds in and 27-0 before the end of the first quarter. KSU finished the season 10-4.
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Kennesaw State wins First Ever CUSA Championship
One year after a 2–10 season, Kennesaw State completed one of college football’s most stunning turnarounds Friday grinding out a 19–12 win over Jax State to claim its first Conference USA championship at Burgess–Snow Field. HC Jerry Mack’s Owls leaned on defense, field position, and timely plays from QB Amari Odom to avenge a regular-season loss and secure the program’s first FBS conference crown.
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KSU In A Rematch At Jax State In Friday’s CUSA Championship Game
A year removed from a 2–10 season and only weeks removed from a painful 35-26 loss in this same stadium, Kennesaw State will walk back into Burgess–Snow Field on Friday night with a Conference USA championship on the line and a chance at redemption against Jacksonville State. Both teams are (9-3, 7-1 CUSA). Head coach Jerry Mack has engineered one of the country’s quickest turnarounds in his first season.
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HC Jerry Mack Press Conference Previewing CUSA Championship
“Coach Kelly’s defense is tough, physical, and well-coached. They’ve been a key part of why Jacksonville State has been so successful these past few seasons.” Kelly, a respected coach with a strong defensive pedigree, has the Gamecocks running an aggressive scheme that demands precision and discipline from offenses. “Playing against them is going to be a real test for us, especially after the last meeting."
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Jax State Head Coach Charles Kelly Presser Previewing KSU
“We know the job isn’t finished. This championship game is what we’ve worked all season for, and it’s going to be a tough test against a very good Kennesaw State team led by coach Jerry Mack. He has done an incredible job turning around that program. They’ve got a balanced offense led by an exceptional quarterback in Amari Odom, and their defense has been stingy. We respect them a lot”
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Owls Beat Liberty in 2OT To Clinch Spot In CUSA Championship Game
KSU punched its ticket to the Conference USA championship game Friday night, outlasting Liberty 48-42 in a double-overtime thriller at Williams Stadium that capped one of the most dramatic regular seasons in program history. Quarterback Amari Odom delivered the decisive blow on the first play of the second overtime, firing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Christian Moss to put the Owls ahead for good.
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Owls Head To Liberty. Conference Championship Game On The Line
Kennesaw State will play one of the biggest games in program history on Saturday, heading to Lynchburg to face Liberty in a Conference USA showdown that could send the Owls to the league championship game. KSU enters the regular-season finale at 8-3 overall and 6-1 in Conference USA, riding a stretch of eight wins in its last nine games. Liberty (4-7, 3-4 CUSA) has lost three straight close games.
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KSU Inches Closer to CUSA Title with 41-34 Win Over Missouri State
Kennesaw State kept its Conference USA championship hopes alive with a thrilling 41-34 victory over Missouri State on Saturday at Fifth Third Stadium. The Owls’ dynamic offense, led by quarterback Amari Odom, delivered a late-game push that proved decisive as both rival contenders—Jacksonville State and Western Kentucky—fell in their respective matchups. Odom threw for 387 yards and five touchdowns.
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Owls Host Missouri State For Final Home Game of the Season
Kennesaw State will close out its home slate at Fifth Third Stadium on Saturday with a high-stakes Conference USA clash against Missouri State. Both teams carry 7-3 overall records and 5-1 league marks, making this matchup pivotal for the CUSA title race and bowl positioning. The Owls come into their Senior Day looking to bounce back from a 35-26 loss at Jacksonville State that snapped a 7-game win streak.
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KSU and Jax State Meet Saturday In Battle of CUSA First Place Teams
Kennesaw State’s bid for a Conference USA championship took a hit Saturday night in Jacksonville, as the Owls fell 35-26 to Jacksonville State (7-3, 6-0 CUSA). Despite a strong offensive showing, the loss leaves KSU—coached by Jerry Mack—with a record of 7-3 overall and 5-1 in conference play, needing to win their last two games to secure a spot in the Conference USA title game.
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KSU and Jax State Meet Saturday In Battle of CUSA First Place Teams
Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State—both first place in Conference USA—are set for a marquee showdown Saturday with memories still fresh from their epic 5 overtime thriller at then SunTrust Park. This year’s clash brings championship stakes, surging win streaks, and star power on both sidelines. The Owls travel to AmFirst Stadium riding a seven-game win streak, the longest in Group of Six football.
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Owls Hold On To Win 7th Straight at New Mexico State
Tell me where you’ve heard this one before. Kennesaw State jumps out to an early two or three score lead in the first quarter. Then, the Owls take the foot off the gas and the opponent starts creeping back into the game actually making it close only to see KSU hang on and pull out another win. Well, that same familiar scenario happened again Saturday in Las Cruces. It’s getting a bit too close for comfort.
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First Place KSU Heads To NM State For CUSA Matchup Saturday
Kennesaw State has caught a lot of people by surprise (including me) in their second season of FBS competition, currently at 6-2 overall and an impressive 4-0 mark in CUSA. The Owls are on a six game winning streak heading into their first ever meeting with NM State in Las Cruces, New Mexico State on Saturday. The game has significant bowl eligibility implications with second place Jax State looming ahead.
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KSU Brings 5 Game Winning Streak Home Tuesday Night Vs UTEP
History was made on a chilly drizzly Tuesday night as Kennesaw State football secured bowl eligibility for the first time in school history with a 33-20 victory over UTEP at Fifth Third Stadium. It was a raucus crowd just 400 tickets shy of another sellout. The Owls, now 6-2 and undefeated in Conference USA at 4-0, have become only the ninth program since 1987 to earn bowl eligibility in their first full FBS season.
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KSU Brings 5 Game Winning Streak Home Tuesday Night Vs UTEP
First place in Conference USA and five straight wins have turned Kennesaw State’s second FBS season into one of the nation’s biggest stories. On Tuesday night, the Owls look to keep their remarkable run alive when they host UTEP in a nationally televised matchup at Fifth Third Stadium (8 p.m. ESPNU). “This team just keeps finding ways to grow,” head coach Jerry Mack said this week. “We’re not satisfied."
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First Place Owls Head To Miami For Conference USA Game at FIU
Kennesaw State’s steady rise in Conference USA will be tested under the Miami lights Tuesday night when the Owls visit Florida International for a nationally televised matchup on ESPN2. Head coach Jerry Mack said his team has embraced the midweek matchup and the challenge of a road trip to face an FIU team looking to rebound. “We’ve talked all week about focusing on us,” Mack said during his Friday press conference.
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KSU Linemen Named Conference USA Players of the Week
Kennesaw State football defensive lineman Tylon Dunlap and offensive lineman JT Pennington were named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week and CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week, respectively, for their performance in the Owls' 35-7 triumph over LA Tech. The weekly awards are voted on by a panel of the league's media. Tylon Dunlap – Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.
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Owls Unbeaten 4-0 Homestand In Win Over Louisiana Tech
In a matchup of conference unbeatens under the lights at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw State made a clear statement Thursday night. The Owls controlled both lines of scrimmage and used a balanced offensive attack to roll past Louisiana Tech 35-7, improving to 5-2 on the season. When this game started, it first appeared like it was going to be a Bulldog blowout. LA Tech moved the ball quickly to go up 7-0.
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KSU (3-2) Hosts (4-1) LA Tech For Thursday Night CUSA Game
The Kennesaw State Owls will return to Fifth Third Stadium on Thursday hosting Louisiana Tech in a highly anticipated Conference USA matchup. The Owls enter with a 3-2 record and are riding a three-game winning streak at home. But, that home success will face a real test with the Bulldogs riding a 4-1 record undefeated in a pair of CUSA games. They are coming off a convincing 30-11 conference road win at UTEP.
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Football Looks to Finish Homestand Strong vs. LA Tech
Kennesaw State football looks to keep rolling and defend its undefeated home record (3-0) as it hosts LA Tech in a first-place Conference USA battle on Thursday night at Fifth Third Stadium. Entering Midweek CUSA action, there’s currently a 4-way tie for first place -- WKU (3-0), LA Tech (2-0), KSU (1-0) and Jax State (1-0). The Owls are currently riding their first three-game winning streak since 2022.
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Owls Bring Win Streak Into Saturday’s Homecoming With MTSU
"Now, we turn our attention to Middle Tennessee, first Conference USA game. In order to make all our hopes and dreams come true, there has to be an opportunity to go out there against conference opponents and we have to win those games...especially when we get a chance to host an opponent of their caliber here. A well coached team. I've known (head) coach (Derek) Mason for several years now.
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Owls Soar Past Arkansas State,
28-21
Kennesaw State delivered a signature win at home Saturday, knocking off 1-3 Arkansas State 28-21 at Fifth Third Stadium. The Owls leaned on their running game, a disciplined defensive effort, and a clutch 4th-quarter stop to secure the program’s first home win over a Sun Belt opponent. HC Jerry Mack said the Owls set the tone early. “We came out of the gate exactly how you want to at home,” Mack said
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KSU Homestand Continues Saturday With Arkansas State
Kennesaw State returns to Fifth Third Stadium Saturday, fresh off its first win and ready to take on Arkansas State (1-2) in a matchup that holds special personal meaning for head coach Jerry Mack. The Owls defeated Merrimack 27-13 last week, marking a milestone victory for Mack in his first season at the helm and giving the program a much-needed jolt of momentum heading into their September 20 home contest.
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Owls Win Home Opener Over Merrimack
It felt good to get a win again…it’s been awhile! Kennesaw State secured its first win under new head coach Jerry Mack on Saturday, defeating the Merrimack Warriors 27–13 before a sellout crowd at Fifth Third Stadium on Saturday. The defenses starred in the first half with KSU up just 7-0. But, a dominating 17-point third quarter propelled the Owls to victory and helped stave off a surprising late Merrimack rally.
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Owls gear up for home opener against Merrimack College
Kennesaw State is set to open the home portion of their schedule Saturday against the Merrimack Warriors at Fifth Third Stadium. The 6:00 p.m. kickoff, which will be broadcast on ESPN+, features a “FLIGHT29 Runout” where 2,000 first-year students will lead the Owls onto the field, and fans are encouraged to wear white. The game against Merrimack is the first of four consecutive home games for the Owls.
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Owls Blown Out On The Road At #23/21 Indiana
Indiana left little doubt in its home opener Saturday, unleashing a relentless offensive and defensive display to cruise past Kennesaw State 56-9 at Memorial Stadium. The Owls absorbed an early barrage and never recovered. KSU’s only points came courtesy of three field goals by freshman kicker Daniel Kinney, who converted from as far as 50 yards out but could not help his team find the end zone.
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Owls Head Back On The Road For Tough Matchup at Indiana Hoosiers
Kennesaw State travels north to face No. 23 Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday against a ranked Big Ten foe. Coach’s Take: Head coach Jerry Mack knows his squad faces a tall order. “Indiana is physical on both sides of the ball and they have playmakers everywhere,” Mack said this week. “But our guys are embracing the opportunity to compete on this stage and show what Kennesaw State football is about.”
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Owls Finish Opening Road Swing at No. 23/21 Indiana
KSU travels to its second-straight Power 4 opponent to open the season, at No. 23/21 Indiana at noon on Saturday in Bloomington, IN. It's the first meeting ever for the two teams. In the Owls' first game under head coach Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State battled to the final moment, falling 10-9 to the ACC's Wake Forest in Week 1. Indiana enters with a 1-0 record after defeating Old Dominion, 27-14, in Week 1.
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KSU Made It Close In Season Opening Loss at Wake Forest
I know what they say about moral victories. But, this felt like one. If not for a missed extra point or a missed field goal, the Owls would have won the game. But, that didn’t happen. It was razor thin close, though. Kennesaw State opened its 2025 football season with a hard-fought 10-9 road loss at the ACC's Wake Forest, showcasing resilience and promising potential in its second year at the FBS level.
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Kennesaw State Opens Football Season Friday At ACC’s Wake Forest
Kennesaw State and Wake Forest are set to clash in their season opener on August 29 in Winston-Salem. Both programs are guided by new head coaches—Jerry Mack for KSU and Jake Dickert for Wake Forest. Coach Mack steps into his first FBS campaign after a tough inaugural season for the Owls. He emphasized the team’s defensive potential: “One thing that has really stood out is just the play of our defense so far.”
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Kennesaw State 2025
Season Preview
Kennesaw State enters the 2025 football season refreshed and hopeful, kicking off its second full year in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with plenty of changes and promise. The Owls bring in new head coach Jerry Mack, formerly head man at North Carolina Central and most recently as running backs coach in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, known for his track record of success and fresh perspective.
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Football Single-Game Tickets Available in Owls Fund Presale
Single-game tickets for Kennesaw State football's 2025 season are now on sale exclusively to Owls Fund members! General public sale begins July 15. The best way to capture all the action at Fifth Third Stadium is through season tickets for the 2025 season. In addition to traditional season tickets on the west side, Owl Nation also has the option of the popular Family Four Pack.
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KSU Football Announces 2025 Home Game Themes, Promotions
The promotional dates and themes for Kennesaw State football's 2025 home schedule have been announced for the Owls' six home contests at Fifth Third Stadium this fall.
Gear up for head coach Jerry Mack's inaugural season that features four-straight games at home including four conference games. Season tickets for the 2025 Kennesaw State football season are
on sale now!
KSU Football Inks 13 on February Signing Day, Brings 2025 Class
to 33
Kennesaw State football announced the addition of 13 student-athletes on February Signing Day, bringing its Class of 2025 total to 33 overall. The 33 signees include 15 high school seniors and 18 college transfers. Sixteen transfers and four high school seniors enrolled early at KSU in January and will participate in all football-related activities throughout the spring.
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Kennesaw State Rounds Out 2025 Coaching Staff
Kennesaw State football officially completed its 2025 coaching staff. The Owls' new coaches include defensive coordinator Marc Mattioli, defensive line coach Jonathan Bradley, cornerbacks coach James Williams, and linebackers coach William Paruta, as well as offensive line coach Jay Clements. Also joining the Kennesaw State support staff is Peter Chung as the Owls' director of player personnel.
Show MoreKennesaw State Owls 2026 Football Schedule
Thursday, September 3
vs West Georgia Wolves
TBA
Walens Family Field
at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Saturday, September 12
vs Georgia State Panthers
TBA
Walens Family Field
at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Saturday, September 19
@ Tennessee Volunteers
TBA
Fifth Neyland Stadium,
Knoxville, TN
Saturday, September 26
@ Arkansas State
Red Wolves
TBA
Centennial Bank Stadium,
Jonesboro, AR
Wednesday, October 7
vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks
(C-USA)
TBA
Walens Family Field
at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Wednesday, October 14
@ Middle Tennessee State
Blue Raiders
(C-USA)
TBA
Floyd Stadium,
Murfreesboro, TN
Wednesday, October 21
vs Liberty Flames
(C-USA)
TBA
Walens Family Field
at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Wednesday, October 28
@ Middle Tennessee State
Blue Raiders
(C-USA)
TBA
Origin Bank Field
at Joe Aillet Stadium
Saturday, November 7
vs Delaware
Fightin’ Blue Hens
(C-USA)
TBA
Walens Family Field
at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Saturday, November 14
@ Sam Houston
Bearkats
(C-USA)
TBA
Bowers Stadium,
Huntsville, TX
Saturday, November 21
vs Florida International Panthers
(C-USA)
TBA
Walens Family Field
at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Saturday, November 28
@ Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (C-USA)
TBA
Houchens Industries-
L.T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY
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Kennesaw State Owls Football Stories
Football Atlanta, published since 1996, with coverage of the Georgia Bulldogs and the SEC,
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