Kennesaw State picks up season’s first win in convincing fashion

Defeats Merrimack, 27-13, giving Jerry Mack first win as Owls’ head coach

Quarterback Amari Odom, who had a touchdown pass and a touchdown run in Saturday's win over Merrimack, throws a pass against Indiana back on Sept. 6.

By AJC Sports

2 hours ago

After opening the season with a pair of losses to Power 4 opponents, Kennesaw State picked up win No. 1 on the season, taking down Merrimack, out of the FCS, 27-13 on Saturday.

Playing in front of a sellout crowd of 11,040 at Fifth Third Stadium, the Owls gained nearly 370 yards (finished with 369) and held Merrimack under 300 total yards, as the FCS opponent finished with 294 yards.

In his first start for the Owls (1-2), quarterback Amari Odom accounted for two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing.

Odom completed 12 of 14 passes for 108 yards and added 22 yards rushing on six carries. In the third quarter, Odom threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Benyard and then broke loose with a 12-yard touchdown run to stretch the Owls’ lead to 21-0.

Dexter Williams II had a 4-yard touchdown run in the first quarter for the Owls and finished 9-of-17 passing for 88 yards.

Ayden Pereira threw for 148 yards and ran for 59 yards on 22 carries with a short-yardage touchdown to lead Merrimack (1-2). RJ Chapman returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter for the Warriors. Jalen McDonald had five catches for 116 yards.

Material from The Associated Press was used in this article.

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