The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Impressive offense leads Owls in rout
First-year program easily remains unbeaten at home.
With 699 yards of offense, Kennesaw State rolled over Point on Saturday to remain undefeated at home with a 56-17 victory.
Chaston Bennett led the Owls in total offense with two receptions for 90 receiving yards, including a 69-yard touchdown pass from Trey White. Bennett also had eight carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Bennett said because of the Owls’ dedication in practice, they came out strong against the Skyhawks (5-2).
“The execution (Saturday) came from our focus in practice,” Bennett said. “Each week I feel myself getting better and (doing my job). As long as I (do my job), it puts me in the position to make the plays that I’m supposed to make.”
The Owls passed for 308 yards and ran for 391 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
Coach Brian Bohannon said an important factor for the Owls (4-1) on Saturday was their mental approach after their first loss to Dayton on Sept. 26.
White was 9 of 14 for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Keeping his reputation as a mobile quarterback, White also ran for 55 yards.
White said it was rewarding to see the offense execute its game plan.
“With the spread option we run, my job is to get the ball into the hands of our best receivers and athletes,” White said.
“We know if we do our job, the game plan that our coaches put together works. We just have to lock in.”
Bohannon said White has consistently done a good job finding receivers.
“We have a good group of receivers,” Bohannon said. “We give them a chance to make a play and they’ll bail us out, and they did that a few times today.”
White played until late in the third quarter when he was replaced by Jake McKenzie.
McKenzie was 3 of 3 passing for 69 yards and rushed for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Bohannon said the Owls’ defense has improved at pressuring the quarterback, but still needs to get better as the Owls begin their conference schedule next week against Gardner-Webb.
The Owls held the Skyhawks to 340 yards, 15 first downs and 2 of 13 on third-down conversions.
Linebacker Anthony Gore Jr. said the Skyhawks offense was aggressive verbally, but the defense didn’t falter.
“The offense, they talked a little trash, but if you look at the scoreboard, you don’t really pay attention to it,” Gore said. “We were physically and mentally prepared for this game.”
Gore led the defense with 5.5 tackles and two tackles for loss.
The Skyhawks scored their first touchdown on an 86-yard touchdown pass by Charles Fortis to Conner Reed and added another touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The Owls turned over the ball once in the first quarter on a fumble by White on the Owls 36. The Owls’ Darnell Holland also fumbled late in the third quarter, but it was recovered by offensive lineman Lorenzo Adger.