The Liberty Flames (5-0, 3-0 CUSA) are back in action against Kennesaw State (0-6, 0-2 CUSA). The Flames and Owls are scheduled to meet in Kennesaw, Georgia on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 PM. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
The Owls are an infant in terms of a Division I football program. They started the football team in 2015, joining the FCS and Big South with Brian Bohannon as their head coach. KSU posted winning records in each of their first 7 seasons as a program including three with 11+ wins as they became a regular in the FCS Playoffs, reaching the Quarterfinals twice.
The Flames and the Owls met three times from 2015-2017 as Big South members. Liberty won the first two meetings (45-35, 36-21) and KSU won the most recent meeting in 2017 (42-28).
Now, Kennesaw has made the jump to CUSA and the FBS, and it has been a struggle under Coach Bohannon. The Owls are 0-6 and 0-2 in conference play, including a loss to FCS UT Martin, 24-13. They get destroyed by Jacksonville State, 63-24, to open league play and lost to Middle Tennessee, 14-5, on Tuesday night.
Kennesaw State the worst offense in the country. When their program first started, they had a triple option offensive attack, but the Owls have now switched to a more traditional offense. Through the first half of the year, they are averaging 13 points and 228 yards of offense per game. Those numbers would rank dead last in the FBS by a good margin if the Owls were eligible for FBS statistical rankings with it being their first year at the higher level.
They are still trying to figure things out at quarterback. Davis Bryson started the first five games, but he was very inconsistent and unable to lead the team to much success. Khalib Johnson got the start against MTSU, but he completed just 5 of 17 passes for 52 yards and 2 interceptions. Braden Bohannon also played against the Blue Raiders, he was 5 of 10 for 51 yards.
It hasn’t been much better on the other side of the ball. Kennesaw is giving up 32.33 points and 405.3 yards per contest.
Three Players to Watch For
QB #9 – Davis Bryson has completed 57 of 111 passes for 616 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
RB #3 – Qua Ashley leads the team in all-purpose yards. The receiver has 11 catches for 139 yards, is second on the team with 200 rushing yards on 64 carries. Ashley also is averaging 28.3 yards per kick return, including a 93-yard touchdown.
LB #48 – Donelius Johnson has 34 tackles with 6 TFLs and 3 sacks.
Upcoming Games/Recent Results
Sep. 28 – UT Martin 24, Kennesaw State 13
Oct. 04 – Jax State 63, Kennesaw State 24
Oct. 15 – Middle Tennessee 14, Kennesaw State 5
Oct. 30 – Kennesaw State @ Western Kentucky
