Kennesaw State’s football team opened its season at Georgia State Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 30, falling short 24-20 to the Panthers.
In the final season opener for KSU’s first signing class, the Owls held the lead 20-14 after three quarters. A series of uncharacteristic mistakes and missed opportunities prevented the Owls from defeating their toughest opponent yet.
In his first game since transferring out of junior-college, GSU quarterback Dan Ellington threw an eight-yard game-winning touchdown pass to lift the Panthers over the Owls, capping off a nine-play 73-yard drive.
“I feel like he stayed very composed,” senior linebacker Anthony Gore Jr. said. “We showed him a lot of things and he just put the ball where it needed to be.”
Despite holding the lead in parts of the game, the Owls had three crucial turnovers which the Panthers took advantage of.
After converting four fourth-down attempts during the game, the Owls failed to convert a fifth that ultimately cost them the game. The failed conversion at the opponent’s 27-yard line left the Panthers with two minutes left to score.
The Owls controlled the game early, leading 14-0 in the second quarter. However, KSU quarterback Chandler Burks threw a rare interception, ultimately paving the way for Ellington to tie the game with under a minute left in the second half.
Burks finished the game completing 12 of 19 pass attempts for 201 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
A red zone fumble in the fourth quarter by running back Jake Mckenzie stood out as a potential game-clinching opportunity.
“I think we could have closed the game out, but we didn’t,” Owls head coach Brian Bohannon said. “We didn’t find a way to finish when we had opportunities.”
The miscues from the Owls offense may have affected their young defense in the fourth quarter. Although the Owls won the time of possession overall, the Panthers possessed the ball for 10 minutes in the fourth quarter.
Gore refused to make excuses as he denied that the defense was fatigued late despite the unit’s time on the field. He believed the Owls simply didn’t execute.
Gore also led the defense with nine solo tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. Bryce Armstrong contributed with nine tackles and a shared sack.
“We just didn’t make plays when it mattered,” Gore said. “When the game is close, and it comes down to one play, all those plays that you made earlier, they count.
“We’ve got 14 more games left, and I’m still excited about the season,” Gore continued. “It definitely hurts to lose, but after a game, you have to move on.”
The Owls are on the road again for their next game, traveling to Cookeville, Tennessee to face off against Tennessee Tech. The 7 p.m. game will be available to watch on ESPNU.