Kennesaw State University (10-3, 7-1 CUSA) surged late in a wild fourth quarter to win its first Conference USA Championship in a 19-15 victory against Jacksonville State University (8-5, 7-1 CUSA) at AmFirst Stadium.
After a slow, but physical, first quarter, Owls running back Coleman Bennett rushed for a three-yard touchdown at the 13:03 mark. Kicker Bitton Williams converted the extra point attempt, giving Kennesaw a 7-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, officials ejected Gamecocks’ safety Trevor Woods from the game following a high-contact play with Owls receiver Gabriel Benyard.
Before the second half, Benyard, the team’s leading receiver on the year, was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Willams added a successful 38-yard field goal attempt, giving Kennesaw a 10-0 advantage, while Gamecocks’ kicker, Garrison Rippa, missed a 35-yard field goal attempt.
Trailing 12-0 in the fourth quarter following a safety, Jax State swung momentum as the Gamecocks forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and took over in plus territory. Soon after, running back Cam Cook rushed left on a one-yard touchdown with 10:20 remaining, finally getting Jacksonville State on the scoreboard and making the score 12-7.
At the 4:07 mark, Gamecocks quarterback Caden Creel rushed up the middle for a 19-yard touchdown to give Jax State its first lead of the game. Additionally, Creel’s pass attempt to wide receiver Deondre Johnson was successful for a two-point conversion, making the score 12-15.
With under a minute of action remaining, quarterback Amari Odom marched the Owls’ offense down the field, including a game-saving first down scramble on fourth-and-14. With an 11-yard touchdown pass to Navelle Dean, Odom gave KSU the lead back and sealed the Owls’ first-ever CUSA title.
Stat leaders
Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom: 26-of-32 passing for 246 yards, with one touchdown.
Jacksonville State quarterback Caden Creel: 12-of-21 passing for 96 yards, with one interception.
Kennesaw State wide receiver Christian Moss: five receptions for 75 yards.
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