KSU’s #2 Amari Odom finding a pass. Memorial Stadium, IN, September 6th, 2025 Photo Credit: KSU Athletics
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Owls football was overwhelmed in a lopsided 56-9 loss to Indiana despite newcomer quarterback Amari Odom’s impressive debut on Saturday at Indiana University Memorial Stadium.
Kennesaw State was dominated on both sides of the ball, being outgained by Indiana 593-271 on the afternoon.
“Just not a good day for us,” Owls coach Jerry Mack said. “For the most part, offense, defense, special teams, saw a lot of different areas we got to improve on. Teams like [Indiana], they hold you accountable for your mistakes. When you do things that you’re not quite the right way, or you’re not as quite sound in some of the things that you do, they’re going to hold you accountable for it.”
After starting former Indiana quarterback Dexter Williams II, the Owls turned to Wofford transfer Amari Odom to take a majority of Saturday’s snaps before replacing him with Kent State transfer Tommy Ulatowski in the fourth quarter.
“We went into the game knowing Amari was going to play,” Mack said. “We always had preparations to give Dexter probably two series and kind of see how it was going, and then got Amari in the third series — Amari started having some success, I think the first time he got in, for the most part, he took us down and we were able to kick a field goal.”
Odom flashed ability, finishing the day with 176 yards on 10 of 16 passing, with no touchdowns and an interception. Williams II was 1 of 2 for -1 yard and Ulatowski was 2 of 3 for seven yards.
After forcing a three-and-out on Indiana’s first possession, the Owls defense surrendered back-to-back touchdown drives while the offense gained just five total yards with Williams II at the helm.
Odom helped lead the Owls on three consecutive field goal drives in the second and third quarters, but five straight touchdown drives by the Hoosiers put the game more than out of reach.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza picked apart the Owls defense for 245 yards and four touchdowns on an efficient 18 of 25 passing. His favorite target, Elijah Sarratt finished the day with 97 yards on nine catches and three touchdowns.
Freshman kicker Daniel Kinney was a real standout for KSU, making his first start after taking over for redshirt-senior Britton Williams following a shaky opening week performance.
Kinney converted all three of his attempts, including a program record-tying 50-yarder in the third quarter.
“The young freshman continues to improve,” Mack said. “We got to do a better job of trying to put some of those scores in the [end zone]. But for the most part, Daniel continues to show why he’s matured beyond his years — he’s making quality field goals when it matters.”
Two weeks into the season, Mack said what he’s learned about his team is its resilience.
“I’ve learned we’ve got a group of guys that are going to continue to strain, continue to fight,” Mack said. When you get a group of guys like that, the sky is really the limit. We got some things to clean up on scheme-wise and personnel-wise, but what you see is a team, when they’re clicking on all cylinders, offense and defense, they are a good football team.”
