In August, before opening his program’s inaugural season, Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon didn’t set any team goals. Not knowing how good or bad his team or their opponents really were, Bohannon didn’t form any concrete expectations, either.
Regardless, three months later, it’s safe to say the Owls have exceeded any and all expectations.
Jae Bowen scored two touchdowns, and gritty quarterback Trey White fueled a 445-yard offensive attack in Kennesaw State’s impressive 23-13 win over Monmouth on Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
The Owls, in their first season of football, are 6-2 and undefeated at home.
“I am so proud to be the head coach at Kennesaw State,” a smiling Bohannon emphasized after the win over Monmouth.
Here are five things we learned about the Owls on Saturday:
Size doesn't matter: On an opening scoring drive, Monmouth's mammoth offensive line, averaging 306 pounds per starter, absorbed the Owls' undersized front four, which averages 239 pounds. The Hawks marched 65 yards on six plays, five of them runs, and scored on Darren Ambush's 12-yard catch and run. It was a quick, efficient drive that looked like it was going to set the tone for Monmouth. The Owls had other ideas.
Kennesaw State entered the game allowing 143 rushing yards per game. Monmouth rushed for 119 yards in the first quarter, but managed only eight on the ground the rest of the half and finished with 187.
“That was the best O-line we’ve played this year, in my opinion,” senior defensive end Mason Harris said. “We’re not the biggest D-line, but we get the job done, because we stay low, play fast. If you get up under them, before the get up under you, then you’ll be all right.”
Tough as nails: White is going to be black and blue Sunday. The junior, who played at St. Pius, accounted for 222 yards of offense, 108 coming on 27 carries. And he took a beating doing it.
“I’m usually pretty sore,” White said. “But that’s what option football is.”
Bohannon said he’s often looking around for backup quarterback Jake McKenzie, after seeing White take a lick.
“He is tough as nails. He takes some shots out there, and I’m ready to call for Jake, but he just gets right back up. He loves the game and loves competing,” Bohannon said of White.
McKenzie, who moved to B-back, gained 40 yards rushing, mostly coming on hard-fought carries through the gut of Monmouth’s defense.
Chaston Bennett added some speed on the outside, rushing for 124 yards on six carries.
Taylor on the spot: When Kennesaw State's defense needed a big play, safety Taylor Henkle was almost always there. Henkle had nine tackles, two pass breakups and an interception on Monmouth's final drive of the game.
“Since the day he stepped foot on campus, he’s where he’s supposed to be, doing what he’s supposed to do,” Bohannon said of Henkle. “He is steady, trustworthy. You’d take 11 of them out there. In moments, he shows up.”
Rover Kyron Minter also had an interception, and corner Marcus Thurman picked off a pass on a two-point conversion attempt that would have brought Monmouth within one possession late in the fourth quarter.
Center of attention: Starting guard Lorenzo Adger took over at center against Monmouth because of injuries to the top two options.
“You didn’t hear his name … and that’s a good thing,” Bohannon said of Adger. “He’s not like a third-string center. He’s a starting guard, but had to go to center, because our two centers are out. And you didn’t notice it. That’s a pretty big deal.”
Looking ahead: The Owls (6-2, 2-1 Big South) are very much in the hunt for the conference title and a berth in the FCS playoffs. But they've got their work cut out for them. They host No. 24 Charleston Southern next week in the last home game of the inaugural season, before heading to face No. 1 Coastal Carolina the following week. They close against at Presbyterian on Nov. 21. Seniors Chaz Cheeks, Brett Gillespie, Ryan Godhigh, Mason Harris and Prentice Stone will be recognized at next week's home finale.
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