KSU will play at East Tennessee State in its first ever football game, according to an announcement from Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams and head coach Brian Bohannon at a press conference in Johnson City, TN., on Friday night.
ETSU president Dr. Brian Noland, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Richard Sander and head coach Carl Torbush hosted the announcement.
“Today is another momentous occasion for the Kennesaw State University community and all of Owl Nation,”Williams said. “We have continued to make great strides throughout the process of building a football program that will enhance the student experience and continue to build upon the sense of community that exists throughout the surrounding areas.”
The game is set for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2015. ETSU, who’s restarting its program after it was shut down in 2003, will host the first game at Steve Spurrier Field at Kermit Tipton Stadium.
“I know it will be a great game with two new programs meeting for the first time and the excitement on both campuses is going to continue to build between now and kickoff. The game atmosphere is going to be unbelievable,” Bohannon said. “I know coach Torbush will have his team ready to play and our players and coaches will come out with great enthusiasm, intensity and passion.”
The home and away series will come back to Kennesaw on Sept. 3, 2016 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
KSU announced in September that it will begin play as an associate member of the Big South conference. ETSU will become a member of the Southern Conference, joining KSU’s rival Mercer, next season.