The Owls remain undefeated on the road after trouncing the Monmouth University Hawks 49-17 on Saturday, Oct. 29, in New Jersey.
The win against Monmouth (4-5, 0-4 BSC) gives the Owls a perfect record in all contests away from Fifth Third Bank Stadium thus far, improving to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big South Conference.
Red-shirt sophomore Chandler Burks returned as the team’s quarterback, but senior Trey White still had an important role in Saturday’s victory after spending most of this season injured. The coaches put White in the game in several red zone situations, and he did not disappoint, scoring four rushing touchdowns.
The Owls ran the ball effectively, as they have done throughout the season. The team rushed for a total of 482 yards on just 65 combined carries.
After Monmouth opened the scoreboard with an early field goal, the Owls got to work on their first possession. A 10-play, 79-yard drive was highlighted by long runs from senior running back Chaston Bennett, red-shirt junior running back Myles White and sophomore running back Darnell Holland. White finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
Early in the second quarter, KSU marched 85 yards down the field, capped off by a Bennett rushing touchdown from eight yards out.
On the first play of the next Hawks drive, Owls’ red-shirt junior linebacker Izzy Sam forced a fumble by sacking the quarterback. Red-shirt freshman defensive lineman Desmond Johnson recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving the team a 21-3 advantage.
KSU received the ball to begin the second half. Burks and red-shirt sophomore running back Jake McKenzie took off on some long runs, leading to another Bennett touchdown for the Owls.
The second half was marked by a dominating rushing attack for the offense and an impressive defensive performance that shut down Monmouth and sealed the victory for KSU.
Head coach Brian Bohannon was pleased with the Owls’ ability to pick up another road win.
“We have a very challenge-driven football team that won just one road game a year ago, and that was the first one,” he said.
Bohannon understands his team still has a long way to go, but he was satisfied with how they have handled the season.
“We have a very young football team, but I thought we grew up today,” Bohannon said. “We’ve been ahead in games before, but haven’t been able to finish.”
Kennesaw State’s next game will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, when the Owls host Clark Atlanta University at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
