Chris Raimondi, Sports Editor
Things are getting heated between Kennesaw State and Liberty, and the Owls and Flames have never even faced one another.
After dropping back-to-back Big South Conference games against Gardner-Webb and Monmouth, Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum guaranteed that his team will win all of its remaining games.
“As far as I’m concerned, this season is not over,” Woodrum said. “We have these games left and we’re going to win every single one of them. We’re going to be 7-4, we’re going to the playoffs, we’re going to have three wins over top-25 teams, have an FBS win and it doesn’t really matter to me what other people think.”
When asked how they felt about his comments, KSU players did not hold back.
“They don’t respect us, and I don’t like that,” backup quarterback and running back Jake McKenzie said.
McKenzie said his roommate notified him of Woodrum’s remarks, while others found out through social media. Linebacker Johnny Yoder echoed similar sentiments as McKenzie during Wednesday’s weekly press conference.
“We’re not too fond of that statement,” Yoder said. “We’re going to try and prove them wrong.”
Head coach Brian Bohannon sat next to his players smiling. “I think they spoke pretty loud and clear,” he said.
The Owls (5-1, 1-0) travel to Lynchburg, Virginia to face Liberty (3-4, 0-2) Saturday in their third road game of the season and their first in the Big South. The Flames began the season ranked inside the top-25 and are the defending conference champions.
Road losses to Gardner-Webb and Monmouth dropped Liberty from a No. 15 ranking and out of the poll entirely. This week’s matchup with KSU is the first home game for the Flames in four weeks, and their backs are against the wall.
“I don’t feel like we have any pressure,” Bohannon said. “I can’t speak for Liberty. I’m sure they are under the gun a little bit after a few tough losses. I’ll I can do is put myself in their shoes, and that would be a tough situation to be in.”
After going against maybe the biggest front-seven defense in the conference against Gardner-Webb last week, the Owls knew what to expect. More in-game adjustments will be made against Liberty, which presents a 4-3 defense.
KSU is relatively healthy heading to Lynchburg outside of defensive lineman Dustyn Moore, who is ruled out of Saturday’s game with a meniscus injury.
NOTES:
– KSU is fifth in total defense, allowing 272.3 yards per game
– The Owls’ offense is averaging 321 rushing yards, 136.6 passing yards and 37.8 points per game.
– KSU is first in passing yards per completion with 22.16 yards.
– Trey White is the Big South’s leading quarterback rusher with 610 yards. He set the conference record for number of rushes (34) in a single game and his 170 yards were the third-most for a QB in Big South history.
