Kennesaw State picks up third straight win, 24-16, over Middle Tennessee

For the first time since joining the FBS, Kennesaw State has a winning record.

Thanks to three first-quarter touchdown passes, two by Amari Odom, the Owls picked up their third straight win, defeating Middle Tennessee 24-16 Saturday night at Fifth Third Stadium in the Conference USA opener for both teams.

The win improved Kennesaw State’s record to 3-2 overall, and 1-0 in Conference USA play. The Owls went 2-10 last season and started this season 0-2, before its current three-game win streak.

Odom threw two touchdowns, and wide receiver Christian Moss had a 13-yard TD pass to open the scoring for the Owls. Chase Belcher, Gerard Bullock Jr., and Gabriel Benyard each had touchdown receptions in the first quarter.

Bullock Jr. caught a 13-yard pass to open the scoring, and Belcher followed it up with a 53-yard touchdown. Benyard caught a 29-yard pass to go up 21-3. Kennesaw State didn’t score again until the fourth quarter, off a 39-yard field goal from Daniel Kinney.

Odom was 11 for 17 with 162 yards. He left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury to his throwing shoulder.

Jekail Middlebrook had two rushing touchdowns for Middle Tennessee (1-4, 0-1 Conference USA). He ran for 109 yards on 20 attempts.