A career-best day for junior quarterback Tommy Bryant helped the Kennesaw State football team find victory at Presbyterian College 55-10 on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Bryant scored a career-high five touchdowns in the rainy contest, while the KSU defense accounted for four turnovers. The result was a lopsided victory over the winless Blue Hose, moving the Owls to a 6-1 record on the season.
Bryant showed his versatility during the game, throwing three passing touchdowns and scoring two on the ground himself. Bryant finished the day with 75 passing yards and 51 rushing yards. All of his contributions came as a backup to starting quarterback Daniel David.
After receiving the opening kickoff of the game, the Owls ran the ball on 12 straight plays. The drive was capped off by a one-yard rush from David to give KSU the early 7-0 lead.
Just three plays into Presbyterian’s first possession, KSU senior defensive lineman Desmond Johnson powered his way into the backfield and forced a fumble after sacking the quarterback. Fellow lineman Tyler Moore recovered the ball and ran it in for a touchdown, extending the KSU lead to 14-0.
Looking to avenge its mistake on the prior possession, Presbyterian’s offense quickly worked its way down the field and scored a touchdown to cut the deficit in half.
After the Owls turned the ball over on the next offensive drive, Bryant took over as quarterback and made an immediate impact.
On his first play from scrimmage, Bryant connected with junior running back Shaquil Terry for a 25-yard touchdown pass. The quarterback would throw another touchdown on the ensuing drive to sophomore running back Isaac Foster on a 23-yard pass, giving KSU a 28-10 lead going into halftime.
Both the offense and defense dominated the third quarter, as KSU scored 27 points to put the game out of reach. Junior linebacker Bryson Armstrong began the second half with a forced fumble, which was recovered by freshman Markeith Montgomery to set up the Owls’ offense deep in Presbyterian’s territory.
Bryant would capitalize on the field position, leading the offense into the red zone and eventually scoring on a one-yard run to make the score 35-10.
Following a 57-yard punt return by Foster to position the Owls’ offense inside the ten-yard line, Bryant would once again score on a one-yard run, extending the KSU lead to 42-10.
On the next Presbyterian drive, KSU sophomore defensive back Cincere Mason created the Owls’ third takeaway. The fumble was recovered by freshman defensive lineman Joel Parker.
It would only take one play into the next drive for Bryant to find freshman receiver Jalen Jackson wide open in the end zone, giving Bryant his fifth touchdown of the game.
The Owls’ defense would strike again before the end of the quarter, as junior defensive back Bryson Perry jumped in front of a Presbyterian receiver to intercept a pass. Following the turnover, seven straight runs led to a three-yard touchdown by Terry, giving the Owls a 55-10 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The defense was able to continue to hold Presbyterian scoreless in the final quarter, while the offense utilized its rushing attack to drain the remainder of the clock.
Armstrong led the team with six tackles as the Owls’ defense forced a season-high four turnovers. The offense combined for 275 rushing yards.
The Owls will return home next week to take on another Big South opponent, the North Alabama Lions, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m.
