Kennesaw State’s football team fell to the Central Arkansas Bears at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in a lopsided game with a final score of 51-24.
The loss snapped a 13 consecutive home game win streak for KSU.
The Owls’ defense was up for a huge challenge trying to stop Central Arkansas’ offense led by Quarterback Will McElvain, who threw for 341 yards and 5 touchdowns in UCA’s loss last week.
The Owls missed out on a huge opportunity on the first play of the game after a dropped interception by Safety Deontre Morris. Morris secured his third interception of the season en route to a breakout sophomore season.
The Owls’ defense was put up to the test as UNA marched down the field on the opening drive. McElvain connected on a 27-yard pass to wide receiver Jarrod Barnes. The Bears fed off of that momentum as they scored a touchdown off of a five-yard reception by Christian Richmond.
The Owls caught a huge break on special teams in the first quarter, where the Bears’ punt returner fumbled a punt. This left the Owls’ offense with a good field position at the Bears’ 45.
KSU’s offense fed off the momentum of Xavier Shepherd connecting on an 11-yard pass to running back Isaac Foster, followed by a 19-yard run a play after. The Owls ended up scoring a touchdown on a 3-yard run by Foster.
UCA responded to KSU’s touchdown by going on a 75-yard drive a connecting on a 17-yard touchdown pass to Richmond. Richmond had a huge game with 12 receptions for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Things got tougher for KSU’s defense in the first half as they surrendered points on 4 consecutive drives which were two touchdowns and two field goals.
After an incompletion pass thrown by Shepherd and missed field goal from Field goal kicker, Conner Cummins, UCA answered with a field goal giving them a 17-7 lead.
The Owls’ offense followed up by going on another three-and-out, which led to a three-yard touchdown run by Bears’ running back Darius Hale giving them a 24-7 lead. Hale had a strong game with 23 carries for 170 yards
Both teams ended up kicking field goals to seal off the first half giving the Bears a 27-10 lead heading into halftime.
KSU had a great start to the second half. The first drive for the Owls was a 53-yard touchdown pass by Shepherd caught by Yesiah Clemmons cutting the score 27-17.
The Owls’ defense carried that momentum by forcing an interception by Senior defensive back Markeith Montogomery.
KSU’s offense missed out on a huge opportunity with a dropped pass on third down that could’ve led to a touchdown cutting the game to three points.
The Bears finished off the game by going on a 27-7 run, leading them to a 51-24 victory.
This loss resulted in KSU falling to a 2-4 overall record.
KSU will host next week’s game against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Oct. 22 for Homecoming weekend at 3 PM.
