HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Kennesaw State.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Compare Any Two FCS Teams [divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
KENNESAW STATE (12-2)
Big South (KSU was 1st in the Big South in 2017)
COACH: Brian Bohannon – 4th year (26-10 record)
2017 OFFENSE: 30.1 ppg (30th in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 15.5 ppg (7th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: Kennesaw State won 12 games last year and returns 18 starters (counting three specialists) — and it was 7 points away from being in the FCS semifinals in just its third year of existence. The spread option helped the defense last year as much as the defense helped itself, with the Owls ranking No. 8 in the FCS for time of possession at more than 33 minutes a game. KSU also led the nation in turnover margin and was No. 2 in third-down conversion rate — and this is all before we mention that they had the No. 1 rushing offense in the nation at 330 yards per game. And get this — all six players on the roster who rushed for more than 300 yards return to the roster. So do nine offensive starters total, headed up by quarterback Chandler Burks.
On defense, the nation's No. 1 freshman — Jerry Rice Award winner Bryson Armstrong — is back in the lineup after leading the Owls in tackles (29 more than anybody else), sacks, tackles for loss, fumble recoveries and forced fumbles. He is joined by two other players who accumulated 50 or more tackles. Oh, and the kicker was good for 17 field goals last year.
What else do we need to say to paint the picture?
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: If you want a poster child of how to crank up a college football program, you're staring right at it. The Owls practiced without playing in a game back in 2014, with their first recruiting class dedicated to that mundane "game less" routine in the hopes that it would eventually lead to what is currently happening. HERO Sports ranks Kennesaw State No. 3 in the FCS Preseason Poll, behind only North Dakota State and James Madison. The Owls bumped up the schedule this year, putting an FBS program (Georgia State) on it for the first time in school history. It also plays highly ranked Samford and Jacksonville State in non-conference play, and KSU is the heavy, heavy favorite in the Big South Conference. The real question is, what side of the FCS playoff bracket will feature the Owls, and how soon will all of us out here in neutral land get to see a monster playoff matchup with an NDSU or JMU type program? Fasten your safety belts and grab some popcorn, folks, this is going to be fun to watch.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: QB Chandler Burks (HERO Sports Preseason 1st Team All American – 1,000/1,000 yard guy, passing & rushing, 27 TDs accounted for).
THE NEXT BEST: LB Bryson Armstrong (FCS Jerry Rice Freshman of the Year Winner – 114 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 11 sacks, 3 INTs, 10 passes defensed); OL C.J. Collins (HERO Sports Preseason 1st Team All American); LB Anthony Gore (73 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 5 hurries); WR Justin Sumpter (33 catches, 610 yards, 5 TDs); DL Desmond Johnson (36 tackles, 8 TFLs, 9 hurries); PK Justin Thompson (Big South Special Teams Player of the Year – 17 FGs); DB Jace White (51 tackles, 3 INTs); OL Joseph Alexander (2nd Team All Big South); RB Jake McKenzie (731 rushing yards, 3 TDs); OL Ryan Warrior (2nd Team All Big South); RB/KR Shaquil Terry (806 yards rushing, 3 TDs); RB Darnell Holland (727 yards rushing, 8 TDs).
TOP NEWCOMER: DB Markeith Montgomery (3-star HS prospect – 5 FBS offers)
DID YOU KNOW?: Pop Culture personality Ryan Seacrest attended Kennesaw State. He was born in nearby Atlanta, and also spent one year at the University of Georgia in Athens.
THE QUOTE: "We're very excited for a challenging schedule in 2018 that features opening the season against FBS in-state opponent Georgia State and three 2017 FCS Playoff teams. I know our team is anxious to get back to work and see Owl Nation pack Fifth Third Bank Stadium and help us build upon our historic 2017 season." — Head Coach Brian Bohannon said about the 2018 season
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #GoKSUOwls
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @kennesawstfb
We are one of two teams in the country with 3 first team All-Americans
Chandler Burks
Bryson Armstrong
C.J. Collins https://t.co/Bu8oXaPE4W— Kennesaw State FB (@kennesawstfb) June 12, 2018
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FCS QB TRANSFERS: Who Tops The List?
