Khadrice Rollins
krollins@ajc.com
In 2014, Kennesaw State running backs coach Tim Glanton took a trip to watch a recruit playing in a junior college playoff game in Texas.
“He didn’t really get a whole lot of carries in the first half,” Glanton said of the future Owl he was watching. “And came out in the second half and just blew it away. Rushed for about 250 yards and four touchdowns in the second half. So I knew that he was a guy that we had to get.”
Two years later, that player now holds the program records for career rushing yards, rushing yards in a game, all-purpose yards and all-purpose yards in a game. Chaston Bennett’s career with the Owls has run its course, but his imprint on the program will not fade away as quickly as his time in Kennesaw did.
As one of the key pieces of coach Brian Bohannon’s triple-option offense since the moment he arrived, Bennett took on the responsibility to be a leader both on and off the field.
“Everybody knows Chaston’s ability, to run catch, make plays, I mean he’s a phenomenal talent,” Bohannon said. “What people don’t realize is he works harder than anybody else. He practices harder. He’s in the weight room working harder. He works harder than anybody on our football team, and I think that’s what makes him who he is.”
Bennett’s hard work on the practice field translated into games where he proved to be one of the best big-play threats in FCS while he was at KSU.
A strong work ethic in practice is something Bohannon tries to instill in all of his players though. Bennett said he bought into Bohannon’s vision for the team from the first time he sat down and spoke with the coach, and his belief in the program and the lead man helped him push himself and his teammates to be ready to take the field on Saturdays and compete at a high level.
“Being the older guy in the room, I feel like I have to lead by example, and I have to go about my business the correct way so that they can learn from it and see how things are supposed to be done,” he said.
The way Bennett approached training and preparing for games helped make him one of the leaders on the team. Bohannon said his effort from Monday through Friday was instrumental in helping the Owls go 6-5 in their first season and improve to 8-3 in Year 2.
One of the players who was really able to benefit from Bennett’s mentorship was fellow running back Darnell Holland. The sophomore was adjusting to the world of college football at the same time KSU was getting its program started, and thanks to his experience at the collegiate level, Bennett was able to help show him the ropes.
Holland showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman, but it was his sophomore season when he really broke through. His 412 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns were both fourth best on the team, and his presence as the slot back on the opposite side of Bennett was partially why Bennett had so many chances to break big runs.
The two were second and third on the team in yards per carry among players with more than one attempt, and were third and fourth in the conference under the same criteria.
“Work alongside Chaston Bennett is one of my greatest experiences here,” Holland said. “We compete with each other in the film room, on the practice field and even in the games. … I think it’s incredible that I have someone to look up to on the football field.”
By being able to push each other, the running backs forced defenses into difficult situations when it came to matchups, and more times than not, one member of the group would have the chance to go off for a big game.
But when KSU needed a standout performance from one of its running backs most, with a chance to win a share of the Big South championship in the last game of the season, Bennett was hobbled by an ankle injury and unable to provide his usual explosiveness.
“It took a toll on me,” Bennett said. “I feel like when I was out there, things were opening up, but I just couldn’t … we didn’t have that big play like we usually have.”
Now Bennett sets his sights toward prolonging his football career. He said he wants to get his ankle healthy so he can try to make a run at professional football.
He said he is forever grateful for the time he spent at KSU. He added that he looks forward to seeing how the program continues to improve after he leaves and looks forward to watching his now former teammates continue to build off the success they have already achieved.
As Bennett moves on, the work he put in will not be forgotten. Players and coaches said they will remember the impact that he had in helping to get the program off the ground and make it a such formidable opponent in such a short time.
“He’s a rare kid that you’ll coach — I may not ever coach another one like him,” Glanton said. “He’s going to be missed.”
