A career game by senior running back Bronson Rechsteiner and 479 rushing yards by the offense propelled the Kennesaw State football team to a 35-24 victory over Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Coming off last week’s win against Alabama State, head coach Brian Bohannon and the Owls were looking to continue its dominant stretch against FCS opponents, having won 11 of the previous 12 games against them.
“It’s always great to win, especially in the Missouri Valley Conference,” Rechsteiner said. “I’m just thankful to be a part of this team — thankful to be a part of this win.”
MSU quarterback Peyton Huslig helped the Bears gain an early lead on the opening drive of the game, completing a 45-yard pass before finishing off the drive with a touchdown pass.
KSU’s offense struggled to get the ball moving for the majority of the first half of the game. Three consecutive punts combined with a fumble and a missed field goal kept the Owls off the board.
After KSU quarterback Daniel David fumbled on the Owls’ 1-yard line, MSU increased its lead by capitalizing on the excellent field position. A touchdown run from Huslig extended the Bears’ lead to 13-0.
Momentum shifted quickly late in the second quarter, as KSU running back Isaac Foster took the first play of the drive 75 yards for a touchdown. This play made it a 13-7 game, and Foster made SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays Sunday morning as a result.
With just over two minutes left in the half, MSU was held to a field goal after a quick drive to lead 16-7 going into halftime.
Foster would have another first-play strike at the beginning of the third quarter, breaking through the Bears’ secondary for a 67-yard touchdown to bring the Owls within two points.
After a strong stop from the KSU defense, Rechsteiner would join Foster on the first play attacks, taking the first snap of the next drive 85 yards to give the Owls its first lead of the game at 21-16.
With MSU’s offense stopped on fourth down, Rechsteiner once again opened the next KSU drive with a big run, going for 65 yards. Junior Shaquil Terry then finished off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to further the Owls’ lead.
KSU’s defense continued to strengthen in the second half, forcing multiple punts to give the Owls’ offense more opportunities to score.
Runs from David, Foster and Rechsteiner all contributed to the final scoring drive by the Owls in the fourth quarter, capping off a run of 28 unanswered points.
The Bears ended its scoring drought late in the fourth quarter, with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Huslig, shortening the Owls’ lead to 35-24.
KSU closed out the game to earn its third win of the season, while the 479 rushing yards proved too much for MSU to handle over the course of four quarters.
Rechsteiner had a career game against the Bears Saturday afternoon, gaining 221 yards on 10 carries. His 221 yards set a KSU single-game record for the most individual rushing yards gained.
Foster finished the game with 183 rushing yards on eight attempts.
“We grew up today because we were down at the half, and I was really proud of the way our kids responded,” Bohannon said. “They came out and got things going and found a way to win the game.”
KSU will head back home next week after three straight road games, taking on Reinhardt University at Fifth Third Bank Stadium Saturday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m.
