Running back Coleman Bennett looks on after a carry against Louisiana Tech, October 9, 2025. Photo credit: Jackson Louneoubonh
Kennesaw State football will look to achieve bowl eligibility and remain unbeaten in Conference USA play when it hosts UTEP on Tuesday night.
The Owls are on the verge of making some serious history.
Sitting at 5-2, KSU football has an opportunity to reach bowl eligibility for the first time in program history by winning six games at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
“[Bowl eligibility] has been discussed a lot,” Owls coach Jerry Mack said. “To try to have an opportunity to make history, is something [the players] will always be able to look back on. It’s hard in these days because a lot of programs have been playing football for so long that it’s hard to find milestones or break records. But since we’re such a young program, especially at this level in Conference USA, the opportunity to get bowl eligible — that is just our first, really, goal for the season.”
In their way stands UTEP, a team struggling at 2-5 in the second season of coach Scotty Walden’s tenure.
The Miners are coming off of a 35-17 win over winless Sam Houston State on Oct. 15, in which recently named starter Skyler Locklear completed 21-of-26 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Prior to Locklear taking over, the Miners’ unit struggled mightily on offense, averaging just 18.7 points per contest with former 247Sports top-rated quarterback prospect Malachi Nelson taking a majority of the snaps.
“Locklear is a guy we feel like with the ball in his hand, he does a lot of special things running the ball and obviously he’s a passer as well who can throw the ball down the field,” Mack said. “He creates. He can do a lot of things with his lower body that a lot of people cannot do. We know we got our work cut out for us from a standpoint of defending him as far as all aspects of the game.”
The offensive breakthrough against SHSU featured the Miners’ third game with over 400 yards of total offense.
On the ground, Ashten Emory leads UTEP in all major rushing categories with 237 yards and three touchdowns on 60 carries. Hahsaun Wilson had a hot start to the season, but appears to be dealing with an injury after logging just a single snap against SHSU.
Savannah, Georgia’s own Kenny Odom was billed as one of CUSA’s premier players entering the season, and has for the most part lived up to expectation. The junior leads the Miners in all major receiving categories with 367 yards and three touchdowns on 36 receptions.
Wondame Davis Jr. presents more of a deep threat for the UTEP offense, averaging 20.9 yards per catch with three touchdowns on the year.
Defensively, the Miners have proved to be more than competent, allowing opponents 24.1 points per game to rank 68th in the FBS.
Redshirt freshman Elijah Baldwin has been a standout on the defensive line, leading the team with 2.5 sacks, while linebacker Micah Davey has been a consistent force with a team-high 77 tackles.
As has been the norm for most of the season, KSU finds itself without a declared starter at quarterback after Amari Odom appeared to re-aggravate a shoulder injury late in the game against FIU.
Dexter Williams II has performed well when called upon, and could be thrust back into the starting role on Tuesday.
“I talk a lot about having a lot of confidence in Dexter,” Mack said. “He’s performed well in the past at his previous spots — you’ve seen what he’s been able to do here from a standpoint of throwing the ball and leading the team.”
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
