For a first year program, Kennesaw State had exceeded most expectations thus far by winning six of its first eight games, including a 2-1 mark in Big South Conference play and an undefeated record at home.
The Owls picked up their first home loss as youth and depth caught up to them in a 28-14 defeat to Charleston Southern Saturday.
“I think [our youth] showed itself today,” Bohannon said. “I think it has showed itself at times, it just in a game like this when you’ve got [to play] a very good overall football team, it shows itself a little bit more. We’ve struggled running the ball inside all year, and a big part of that is maturity. A big part of that is playing young kids against juniors and seniors.”
KSU entered the game riddled with injuries, and left the game with an even more as redshirt junior quarterback Trey White was injured while attempting to make a tackle on a Charleston Southern fumble recovery for a touchdown just over midway through the second quarter.
KSU head coach Brian Bohannon talked about White’s injury, saying while it’s understandably disappointing to lose a starting quarterback, it didn’t have much impact on the outcome of the game against CSU. He was quick to say that wasn’t a negative mark against White, but rather that there were various other factors that led to their defeat and it wasn’t pinned on the loss of a quarterback.
White was replaced by backup Jake McKenzie for the remainder of the game. Despite McKenzie’s efforts, passing for 103 yards and rushing for 43 yards and a score, KSU was unable to get its offense in rhythm.
Saturday’s game presented the Big South’s best rushing attack against the nation’s best defense. The Owls went into the matchup averaging 322.5 rushing yards a game, while CSU had only allowed an average of 105.75 per game.
The Bucs’ defense won the battle, limiting KSU to a season low 113 yards on the ground. The Owls next lowest total was 231 in a win against Shorter.
KSU’s run game had allowed them to control time of possession in their previous four games by an average of 14:04. Saturday, the Bucs won the time of possession 33:36 to 26:24.
Coach Bohannon elected to sit Justin Sumpter and Darnell Holland partway through the game.
“It’s not that I’m giving up on the game,” coach Bohannon said. “But I’ve got a bigger picture of where we are and I understand where we are as a program and what we need to do. They were limping, they were holding an arm up. We have to have some people left to play these last few weeks. We’re beat up, but we’ll get some guys back hopefully for next week.”
Coach Bohannon listed White as doubtful for the Owls game at Coastal Carolina Saturday, Nov. 14. McKenzie is expected to make his first start of the season.
“[Preparation] will be the same as every week,” McKenzie said. “We’ll have things to work on and get better at, we’ll game plan just like usual and practice hard every day. I don’t think it will be much different.”
