The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stubborn defense boosts Owls to 6-1
Kennesaw State defeated Gardner-Webb 17-3 on Saturday night, thanks to the aggressive play and big plays from junior cornerback Akebren Ralls.
Here are a few observations about Saturday’s victory:
1. Gardner-Webb was held scoreless in the first half.
Kennesaw State (6-1) kept Gardner-Webb from scoring in the first half of Saturday’s homecoming game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
After converting one of six third-down plays and totaling only four first downs and 73 yards of offense in the first half, the Runnin’ Bulldogs scored their only points of the game with a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter. The Bulldogs marched 69 yards inside the Owls’ 10-yard line with the first possession of the second half, but were unable to score a TD.
“The defense played really, really good for us and won this game for us,” quarterback Chandler Burks said.
Gardner-Webb had a chance to enter into field-goal range in the second quarter when Bulldogs quarterback Tyrell Maxwell targeted a receiver around the Owls’ 30, but Ralls broke up the pass and forced a punt.
Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon said he was proud of the defense’s transformation and how they studied the tape from last season’s matchup with Maxwell.
“We kept (Maxwell) in front of us,” Bohannon said. “We weren’t giving up the big plays, and a year ago it was one big play in front of another.”
Maxwell was 11 of 28 passing for 114 yards and three interceptions and rushed for 60 yards on 18 carries.
“It just took a lot of focus. ... Our focus was on No. 12 (Maxwell) because if we stop him it really minimizes the offense,” linebacker Anthony Gore Jr. said.
The Bulldogs attempted a Hail Mary to end the first quarter, but the pass was picked off in the Owls’ end zone by Ralls.
Gardner-Webb (1-7) had the opportunity to score again in the fourth quarter on fourth down, but the pass was picked off on the 2-yard line by Ralls.
2. Owls had 17 points, 285 yards of offense in the first half.
Kennesaw State scored 17 points and totaled 285 yards of offense in the first half.
The Owls’ first touchdown came in the second quarter on a 53-yard pass by Burks to junior wide receiver Xavier Harper. Even with a Gardner-Webb defender barreling toward him and eventually knocking him to the ground, Burks targeted Harper on the right sideline to give the Owls a 10-0 lead.
The Owls scored their second touchdown with 54 seconds remaining in the half on a 1-yard run by Burks. The touchdown was set up by a 33-yard pass to junior wide receiver Justin Sumpter. The score put the Owls up 17-0.
Burks was 6-of-14 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown. Burks also rushed for 119 yards on 22 attempts.
The Owls scored their first points of the game with a 36-yard field goal by kicker Justin Thompson. The field goal was set up with a 26-yard run by junior running back Darnell Holland.
The Owls finished Saturday’s game with 463 yards of offense.
3. Owls’ offense had 114 yards worth of penalties.
Kennesaw State committed 14 penalties totaling 114 yards — four penalties for 35 yards during the Owls’ first drive of the second half.
“Those penalties are just drive stoppers . ... That’s something we’re going to have to focus on, something we’re going to attack this week,” Burks said.
Kennesaw State finished the first half with six offensive penalties for 50 yards, four costing 35 yards in the first quarter. The most detrimental penalty was an illegal block on Gardner-Webb’s 32-yard line. The penalty pushed the Owls out of field-goal range and forced a punt.
“We beat ourselves . ... We had a lot of self-inflicted wounds tonight,” Bohannon said. “We found a way. It wasn’t pretty, but you can’t take it out of the ‘W’ column.”
This season the Owls had averaged 73.8 yards of penalties per game entering Saturday’s game.
Next: Kennesaw State will play at Presbyterian at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.