PHOTO BY: BRIANNE BUCKFELDER
Interim head coach Chandler Burks became the youngest head FBS college football coach in the modern era to win a game, defeating Florida International 27-26 on Saturday at Fifth Third Stadium.
Owls’ defensive back JeRico Washington Jr. intercepted Keyone Jenkins with under a minute remaining to seal an Owls victory for the second time this season.
“Could not be more proud of this group of young men,” Burks said. “Credit to the team that we just played, really really good team we just played. We knew that, we talked about it earlier in the week. You look at their schedule and how they played every top team in the conference down to the wire.”
Owls’ quarterback Davis Bryson had one of his best outings this season, finishing 17-of-29 for 185 yards to go along with 45 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“A big shout out to the (offensive) line man for allowing me to even drop back and throw,” Bryson said. “(We) got the running game going and that opens up the passing game so shout out to those guys up front, shout out to the receivers for making me look good. Not every pass was perfect, not every read was perfect, but everybody around me made that happen.”
The Owls struck first on their opening possession with a 46 yard drive into the FIU red zone that concluded with a 36 yard Austin Welch field goal to put Kennesaw State up 3-0.
The Owls extended their lead to 10-0 when Bryson took a quarterback keeper five yards into the end zone for a touchdown with 10:19 remaining in the first half.
FIU responded quickly with a 75-yard touchdown drive ending in an Eric Rivers touchdown reception from Jenkins. After the point after attempt was no good, the Owls led 10-6.
KSU’s offense kept rolling on its next possession. Bryson led the Owls down inside the Panthers’ 5-yard-line to set up a three yard touchdown run for Preston Daniels, giving the Owls a 17-6 lead.
In the last three minutes of the half, Jenkins found Dean Patterson and Rivers again for a touchdown each to vault FIU into the lead at 20-17.
On the Panthers’ opening drive of the second half, they would gain nearly half of their yardage in the period. Jenkins led a 33-yard drive following a good kick return to set up a 36-yard Robert Czeremcha field goal, making the score 23-17.
After a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, the Panthers extended their lead to 26-17 on a 34-yard kick from Czeremcha.
Both offenses were stagnant until Bryson led a 51 yard, three play scoring drive with under seven minutes remaining in the contest. Bryson found the end zone with his legs for the second time on a 19 yard touchdown rush, and after Welch’s extra point, the Owls trailed 26-24.
KSU regained possession with 3:35 left to play, and Bryson once again led the Owls down the field, reaching the FIU 1-yard line and forcing the Panthers to burn their all of their timeouts. Welch made the 18-yard field goal, giving KSU a 27-26 advantage.
After Washington’s interception, Bryson kneeled out the senior day victory.
