The Kennesaw State Owls earns a late-season victory after a 44-27 win against UT Martin on Nov. 5.
KSU’s defense was very dominating, setting the tone in the second half and holding UT Martin to only 3 points in the second half. The Owls’ defense claimed five interceptions including four interceptions in the second half.
Defensive Back Chance Gamble was responsible for three interceptions, including an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter.
Deontre Morris and Markeith Montgomery were also accountable for two interceptions. Morris secured a game-sealing interception while the Owls were up 31-27, returning it for 31 yards to UT Martin’s four-yard line.
A couple of plays later, the Owls followed the interception up with a two-yard run for a touchdown by Quarterback Xavier Shepherd, who rushed for three touchdowns in the game.
In the first quarter, Kicker Connor Cummins gave the KSU their first points of the game with a 27-yard field goal to give the Owls a 3-0 lead.
The Owls’ defense followed the field goal drive up with an interception, and four plays later Shepherd rushed for a one-yard touchdown.
The Owls had a very strong first quarter led by their defense holding UTM’s offense with zero points and an interception.
UTM responded after a horrid first quarter by scoring 24 points in the second quarter. Their 21-point outburst began with an 8-yard touchdown thrown by Dresser Winn and a caught by Colton Dowell as UT Martin was trailing 17-10 with three minutes and 27 seconds left. UTM’s offense followed that touchdown drive with a rapid 65-yard drive, ending in a 21-yard touchdown by their running back Zak Wallace with one minute and 51 seconds left tying the game at 17.
UT Martin’s offense was not quite done with their second-quarter explosion. UT Martin’s offense finished off the half with a 40-yard drive ending in a 16-yard touchdown by UT Martin’s wide receiver DJ Nelson, giving UTM a lead of 24-17.
Following halftime, the Owls got off to a disastrous start, fumbling on their first two drives. UT Martin took advantage of those 2 turnovers with a field goal giving UT Martin a 27-17 lead.
After the two fumbles by KSU, the Owls responded with a 32-yard touchdown pass caught by Gabriel Benyard as KSU began to knock on the door trailing 27-24.
After a punt by UT Martin, KSU carried their momentum with a 61-yard touchdown catch by Sophomore Blake Bohannon.
The Owls’ defense took over the game from that point forcing back-to-back interceptions leading to touchdowns that sealed the game 44-27.
The Owls will host a home game next week against Austin Peay. Kickoff is Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 PM.
