Kennesaw State Owls
Overall Rank: #24
#1 Big South
Kennesaw reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs for the second straight season. The Owls have cemented their spot as a serious contender in the FCS and the clear favorite in an improving Big South.
2018 Record: 11-2, 5-0
2018 Postseason: FCS Playoffs
Coach: Brian Bohannon (37-12 at Kennesaw State, 37-12 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Grant Chesnut
Defensive Coordinator: Blake Harrell
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Shaquil Terry, RB, 614 yards
Passing: Daniel David, QB, 201 yards
Receiving: Shaquil Terry, RB, 215 yards
Tackles: Bryson Armstrong, LB, 75
Sacks: Bryson Armstrong, LB, 2.5
Interceptions: Cincere Mason, DB, 4
Other Key Returnees: RB Isaac Foster, LB Charlie Patrick, DB Le’Vonte Larry, DB Dorian Walker, DL Desmond Johnson, DL Andrew Butcher
Key Losses: RB Darnell Holland, QB Chandler Burks, RB Jake McKenzie, WR Justin Sumpter, OL C.J. Collins, OL Joseph Alexander, OL Chiaza Nwadike, LB Anthony Gore, DB Jace White, K Justin Thompson
Offense:
If Kennesaw State is going to repeat last season’s success, they are going to have to answer quite a few questions on offense. Quarterback Chandler Burks is gone after throwing for 1,043 yards and ten touchdowns and rushing for 905 yards and 29 scores. Daniel David is the likely replacement. He has been Burks’ backup for the last three seasons and certainly knows how to run the Kennesaw State system. Shaquil Terry will be the main rushing threat after tallying 576 yards and five scores on the ground. He also caught 13 passes for 215 yards. The Owls are not going to throw the ball much with their option offense, but they will need to find a receiver that is at least a threat to get down field now that Justin Sumpter is gone.
Defense:
Kennesaw State ranked second in the FCS allowing just 263.7 yards per game. With eight starters returning, the unit could be even better this season. Desmond Johnson and Andrew Butcher lead the defensive front, while linebackers Bryson Armstrong and Charlie Patrick were second and third on the team in tackles. Cincere Mason and Dorian Walker are the playmakers in the secondary. Those two accounted for seven interceptions. The Owls are not going to give up too many points as it is, but if they can keep making big plays and create turnovers, not many teams are going to be able to score too many points against Kennesaw State.
The Bottom Line:
The Owls should have a pretty easy time in the Big South. Their November 2nd home date with Monmouth should be the toughest on the conference slate. The real question is how far the offense drops off. Kennesaw State runs a system that often allows them to plug in new players without missing a beat. But it is going to be extremely difficult for this offense to be as a productive this season and that will keep Kennesaw State outside of the elite teams in the FCS.
Projected Postseason: FCS Playoffs
2018 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 352.9 (2nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 101.1 (119, 5)
Total Offense: 454.0 (21, 2)
Scoring Offense: 43.5 (3, 1)
Rushing Defense: 111.7 (13, 1)
Pass Defense: 152.0 (7, 3)
Total Defense: 263.7 (2, 1)
Scoring Defense: 16.4 (7, 1)
Turnover Margin: 0.23 (40, 2)
Sacks: 1.54 (88, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 0.38 (2, 1)
HERO Sports 2019 Recruit Rankings:
#105 Xavier Shepherd
#109 Joel Parker
#181 Preston Daneils
#232 Demetric Barnes
#239 Traveon Latimore
