PHOTOS: Kennesaw State football defeats UTEP, becomes bowl eligible

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PHOTOS: Kennesaw State football defeats UTEP, becomes bowl eligible

Kennesaw State defeated UTEP 33-20 to earn bowl eligibility in its second year of FBS play.

Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack celebrates with players after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack celebrates with players after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State players coaching staff celebrate after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State players coaching staff celebrate after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack and UTEP head coach Scotty Walden shake hands after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State players celebrate after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State fans celebrate after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear (9) is sacked by Kennesaw State defensive lineman Ugonna Nwoha (55) during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear (9) is sacked by Kennesaw State defensive back Antonio Stevens (3) during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

UTEP wide receiver Kenny Odom (6) is lifted up by Kennesaw State defense players during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State running back Tykeem Wallace (8) runs the ball during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State wide receiver Javon Rogers (15) makes a catch past UTEP safety Lantz Russell (22) during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State wide receiver Javon Rogers (15) celebrates after the catch during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State linebacker Baron Hopson (left) pulls the jersey of UTEP running back Ashten Emory (1) during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom (2) runs for a touchdown during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State defensive end Marcus Patterson (6) reacts during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State running back Chase Belcher (4) runs the ball during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State running back Chase Belcher (4). scores a touchdown during the second half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

UTEP head coach Scotty Walden shouts instructions during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear (9) is sacked by Kennesaw State defensive lineman AJ Miller (53) during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State defensive lineman AJ Miller (53) reacts after sacking UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack shouts instructions during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear (9) gets off a pass under pressure from Kennesaw State defensive back Kody Jones (12) during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State wide receiver Clayton Coppock (18) runs for a first down during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State quarterback Dexter Williams II (5) prepares to get off a pass during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack reacts during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State quarterback Dexter Williams II (5) makes a handoff to Kennesaw State running back Chase Belcher (4) during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State quarterback Dexter Williams II (5) gets off a pass during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State cornerback Caleb Offord (2) runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State cornerback Caleb Offord (2) runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State defensive back Kody Jones (12) reacts during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State wide receiver Gabriel Benyard (1) runs for a touchdown during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State wide receiver Gabriel Benyard (1) scores a touchdown during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Kennesaw State wide receiver Gabriel Benyard (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half in an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack celebrates with players after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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