Jacksonville State accumulated 577 total yards of offense and picked off Davis Bryson three times en route to a 63-24 victory over the Owls at Fifth Third Stadium on Friday.
It was the most points Kennesaw State has ever allowed at home in a single game.
An Owls’ three-and-out started the game, and running back Tre Stewart hit the gas on an explosive 25-yard rush to start Jacksonville State’s first drive. Making it down to the KSU 1-yard-line, Stewart punched it in for the first points of the game and put the Gamecocks up 7-0.
KSU answered with a field goal after a big catch-and-run from freshman wide receiver Jaden Robinson for 31 yards down the right sideline. Austin Welch’s 25-yard kick put the Owls on the board, making the score 7-3.
The Owls forced a turnover-on-downs, but momentum quickly shifted the other way as Bryson threw an interception on second-and-25 three plays later.
JSU quickly capitalized on that turnover with quarterback Tyler Huff keeping it for himself and breaking into the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown rush.
After another three-and-out from KSU, the Gamecocks went down the field and Stewart got his second touchdown of the night on a 9-yard carry to give the Gamecocks a 21-3 lead.
Things were beginning to look bleak for the Owls, but then Qua Ashley took the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to the house for the KSU’s first touchdown of the night.
The Owls quickly got the ball back after a JSU fumble. They kept their momentum going with a 67-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass to tight end Carson Kent.
A Gamecocks’ field goal attempt at the end of the first half was blocked by defensive lineman Adam Watkins to keep the score 21-17 at the half.
That momentum from the end of the first half quickly evaporated in the third quarter.
The Gamecocks got off to a hot start, scoring on their opening drive, then turning around and picking off Bryson again on the Owls’ next possession. They scored on the following drive to go up 35-17.
KSU would manage to pick up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late.
The Gamecocks piled it on with touchdowns on all of their of second half drives, including picking off Bryson one more time and returning it for a touchdown and handed the Owls a fifth straight loss, 63-24.
Owls running back Michael Benefield put up a career-high 112 yards in this game, partly in thanks to a career-long run for 59 yards in the fourth quarter.
Ashley’s kickoff return for a touchdown was the first for KSU since Nov. 3, 2018. He finished with 222 all-purpose yards on the night.
KSU has an abbreviated bye week before their next game on Oct. 15 at Middle Tennessee State. They have 11 days of preparation before that game to try and avoid going 0-6 on the season.
