#18 Josh Anglin and #31 Kai Russell celebrate after a play. Fifth Third Stadium, September 3, 2026. Photo by Jordan Tran
Kennesaw State football will be looking to get back in the win column this week, traveling to Jonesboro to take on Arkansas State on Saturday night at Centennial Bank Stadium.
The Owls have had a somewhat unexpected rocky start to the year, namely a 31-17 loss to Georgia State at home in which KSU was a nine-point favorite ahead of opening kickoff.
Now, the Owls have an opportunity to steal a road win from coach Jerry Mack’s alma mater and split the non-conference schedule.
“It’s going to be a battle (at Arkansas State),” Mack said. “I feel like they’re in the same situation that we’re in. Trying to continue to learn about their team and kinda learn where they’re at. They’ve faced the same kind of schedule, so to speak.”
Outside linebacker Kai Russell was a standout on the KSU defense in last week’s 42-9 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville, with seven total tackles and a tackle for loss.
Mack said he found Russell through one of his highlights on X.
“The thing that attracted me the most about Kai was just his intensity and the way he approached the game,” Mack said. “He was wired the right way. His personality, he’s a very serious individual. He’s a mature guy that’s serious about football, and I just wanted to be around good football people.”
Like the Owls, the Red Wolves currently sit at 1-2 with a schedule that included two power-conference opponents in Memphis and Texas Christian University, and West Georgia, who the Owls shut out 47-0 in their season opener.
Despite the final score, the ASU defense did a good job of containing the TCU offense a week ago and were only down 14-7 at the half.
“Very active bunch,” Mack said. “Coach (Butch Jones) does a good job of being very multiple on that defensive side of the ball. You can tell he does a good job of scheming no matter what the opponent is. You take a look from game one to game three, it feels different every single game, and that’s a compliment to good coaching.”
The Red Wolves’ offense is led by quarterback and Texas transfer Trey Owens, who has thrown for 593 yards and three touchdowns through three weeks and threw for 325 yards in the season opener against Memphis.
Wideout Hunter Summers is off to a nice start in the early going, leading ASU receivers with 154 yards.
Mack said Summers is always a guy to watch out for to make big plays .
“Hunter had a big play against us last year,” Mack said. “I just watched his career over the last season, and he made some big plays for those guys, consistent throughout the entire season. You kinda see him doing the same thing this year.”
Mack played at wide receiver for the Red Wolves from 2001-03, and his father, who shares the same name, played at tight end from 1979-81.
Mack said the trip to Jonesboro will be like a family reunion for him.
“My dad would show me around there, show me the old stomping grounds where him and Mom met,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of people that’s going to be there at the game, so I’m obviously looking forward to playing the game, but it’s always good to see family.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
