By Khadrice Rollins
krollins@ajc.com
The Kennesaw State Owls took the field Nov. 19 in Charleston, S.C., with a chance to win a share of the Big South championship and prove to the nation they have already become legit contenders.
The Owls were ranked for the first time in their history, and as the No. 22 team in the nation in the FCS Coaches Poll, the possibility of reaching the playoffs was more than just a pipe dream. With a win over No. 13 Charleston Southern, KSU could have established itself as more than an upstart program with bright future and instead make a claim that it was ready to take command of the Big South conference for years to come.
But when the Owls returned home, they were left trying to figure out how they will get over the hump next season and build off their 8-3 record, which wasn’t quite good enough.
“I think it was one of those moments, the first time we really had one of those real moment since we’ve been here, where you’re actually playing for a championship,” Bohannon said about the season-ending 28-7 loss at Charleston Southern. “And we didn’t seize the moment, we didn’t play particularly well. For whatever reason, it really doesn’t matter, we didn’t.”
In the program’s second season, KSU showed major improvement from the team’s first year, but with an opportunity to truly break through and send a shock throughout all of FCS, the squad came up short.
Thanks to that season-ending defeat, players and Bohannon said they now have something to think about all offseason to help make sure the urgency to grow and become better carries over into year three.
“We set out on a journey to compete for a championship and get in the playoffs and we have not achieved that yet,” Bohannon said. “So I don’t see how there can be a whole lot of complacency right now.”
As they look to achieve these goal in 2017, there is plenty from this past season to stir up hope for next season and beyond.
After only winning once outside of Fifth Third Bank Stadium in the program’s first year, KSU went 4-1 on the road including back-to-back wins against conferences opponents, marking their first ever Big South road victories.
There were 11 Owls who made all-conference teams, highlighted by the six who were named to the first-team roster. Of the all-conference performers, seven will be back next season.
One of the returners is quarterback Chandler Burks. The redshirt sophomore was given the keys to the team after last year’s starter, senior Trey White, went down with an injury early in the year. Once he took over as the starter, Burks helped pace one of the top offenses in the nation. Along with All-Big South first-team wide receiver Justin Sumpter, Burks helped elevate the Owls’ passing game, making the triple-option squad one of the most efficient air attacks in the country.
Burks said the season ending the way it did hurt, but it will also push him to make sure the team can get back to a similar situation next year.
“I was ready to get back out there on Monday of Thanksgiving break,” Burks said. “It’s like what do you do? You do film, you got meetings, you got practice, you got games, and then all of a sudden it all goes away. It sucks, but it’s part of it, and it drives you to want to get better in the offseason, motivates you to get better in the offseason and that’s what we got to do if we want to play a longer season. If we want to play on Thanksgiving and if we want to win conference championships and win FCS championships, it all starts in the offseason.”
As the Owls attempt to take the next step, guys like Burks, who have been important pieces to their success, will need to set the example and help shape the program identity for younger players.
Linebacker Dez Billingslea said it is the responsibility of these guys to step into leadership roles going forward and replace the seniors who are leaving. Billingslea said it will take the entire group to make an impact, but right now he wants to focus on how he personally will fit that mold.
“I have to grow and I have to mature enough to be able to step up and lead this team to where we want to go,” Billingslea said. “I have to accept that role and I have to just do what it takes to get our team to where we want to be to.”
Making up for the departing seniors will be no small task. From running back Chaston Bennett to cornerback Dante Blackmon, the senior class is filled with players who provided major contributions on the field and in the locker room.
Bohannon said the seniors were important in teaching other players how to practice and approach preparation. He pointed to quarterback Jantzen Jeffrey as a prime example of the team first attitude that radiated throughout the class.
Bennett and Blackmon said they will look back on their time at KSU fondly and can’t wait to see how much more success awaits Bohannon’s bunch going forward.
“It was great being a part of this program,” Blackmon said. “And I’m looking forward to seeing what these boys are going to do in the near future, because I know they’ll be Big South champions.”
The urge to win now means next season has already started at KSU. Burks said players were already mentally preparing to get back on the field.
So now, Bohannon and the rest of his staff will set their sights on recruiting and preparation for next year. And the players who are returning will take some time off before heading to the weight room to start getting their bodies ready for another grueling season.
Some key pieces will be gone, but with an additional year of experience, the Owls hope they can find themselves in a similar spot at the end of next year.
“We’re looking for them to win (the conference championship) next year,” Bennett said. “For (the seniors) to start something, start that, it feels good, because now things are only going up. … It’s just exciting. I can’t wait to see these guys live up to the expectations.”
