Kennesaw State football falls to Austin Peay 31-14 in wrapping up the final home game for the season.
The Owls fall to an overall record of 5-5.
Offensively, Quarterback Xavier Shepherd led the Owls with 96 rushing yards on 23 attempts. Shepherd notched one rushing score making this accomplishment his 11th of the year. Passing for a total of 47 yards, Shepherd finished the game 3-of-9.
Alternatively on defense, both Deontre Morris and Chance Gamble earned eight tackles each. In the second quarter, Morris managed to secure one interception.
With five tackles and one sack, Jahon Myers ignited the Owls as everyone would get in on the action. Desmond Scott accumulated three tackles, one sack and one blocked field goal while Garland Benyard put up three tackles and one sack.
For the first play of the game, the Owls moved the ball down the field 66 yards utilizing 15 plays. With KSU only down at the one-yard line, Shepherd fell in the endzone, pushing KSU up 7-0.
This drive highlighted the seventh time in just ten games that KSU scored points on its opening possession. In addition, the drive marked Shepherd’s 35th career rushing touchdown.
In the second quarter, the Governors turned up the heat for the Owls. Morris saved the Owls from allowing the Governors to attempt a comeback with a diving interception. This was achieved thanks to Je’Cory Burks deflecting a pass in the air by the Governors, allowing Morris to slide under and clutch the ball to successfully record the pick, earning a touchback.
With only 1:39 left on the clock in the half, Austin Peay tied the game due to a rushing touchdown. The touchdown was made as a result of a reverse play that featured Kellen Stewart around the outside beating KSU defenders for the 19-yard play.
Following halftime, APU scored 21 unanswered points throughout the second half leading to a 28-7 edge for the Governors.
KSU was able to lessen the gap by scoring its final touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. Jonathan Murphy entered the game as the quarterback in place of Shepherd. Murphy pushed the Owls through a 75-yard scoring drive.
Murphy finished 5-of-10 passing with 61 yards. Additionally, he collected 15 rushing yards on eight attempts.
APU kicked its final field goal, strengthening the lead to 31-14, which was upheld until the game clock expired.
KSU football travels on the road next week to Eastern Kentucky for the final regular season game of the year. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM on Saturday, Nov. 19.
