Photo Courtesy of KSU Athletics
Fans stormed the field as the clock hit all zeros in the Owls 27-24 victory over Liberty on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Stadium.
The game was full of firsts for Kennesaw State. It was the program’s first win of the season, first win as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), First conference USA win and first win over an FBS program.
“I could not be more proud of a group of kids, staff (and) coaches,” Owls coach Brian Bohannon said. “You hang in there, the worlds against you, fighting your tails off every day, it’s hard to get up and go to work (when) things aren’t going our way. All we’ve talked about for the last month is sticking together and believing in one another. We said if we just keep doing it something good will happen somewhere.”
Despite a few close calls earlier in the season, Liberty entered the game undefeated at 5-0, having won 18 of their last 19 contests.
After being benched a week ago prior to a 14-5 loss to Middle Tennessee State, Owls’ quarterback Davis Bryson regained the starting role and would not disappoint. The redshirt-sophomore completed 16-of-20 passing attempts for 189 yards and a touchdown.
“All glory to God,” Bryson said. “He was out there playing tonight. It’s just a testament to the team – they pulled through tonight.”
Liberty struck first on their initial offensive drive when quarterback Kaidon Salter found Treon Sibley in the end zone for a 15-yard score.
The Owls responded quickly with a six play, 75 yard scoring drive that ended when Bryson hit Christian Moss for a 41-touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7.
After the Flames turned the ball over on downs at the KSU 40, the Owls marched 60 yards in four plays to extend their lead to 14-7 on a Michael Benefield 1-yard touchdown rush.
With less than a minute to go in the first half, Liberty capped off a 12 play, 81 yard drive when Salter found Donte Lee Jr. in the back of the end zone to even the score at 14-14.
On their first drive of the second half, KSU running back Qua Ashley scored on third down from six yards out to regain the lead for the Owls at 21-14.
Liberty’s Colin Karhu and KSU’s Austin Welch traded field goals on the following two possessions to make the score 24-17, Owls.
A 42-yard Owls’ drive set Welch up for another field goal that extended the KSU lead to 27-17 with just 4:13 remaining in the game.
The Flames worked quickly to bring the game back within 27-24 on a Salter touchdown pass to Elijah Canion with 1:49 left in regulation.
After an unsuccessful Liberty onside kick, the Owls were able to run the clock down to six seconds before turning the ball over on downs at the Liberty 35.
On what appeared to be the last play of the game, Salter missed his target as time expired and KSU students flooded the field. However, after an official review, it was determined there was still one second remaining. Fans were instructed to return to the sideline to allow the final play of the game. A failed desperation lateral attempt later, the fans returned to the field to celebrate Kennesaw State’s first FBS victory.
“I could not be more proud of this football program than I am tonight,” Bohannon said.
