Score: No. 4 Coastal Carolina 45, Kennesaw State 13
Records: Kennesaw State (6-4, 2-3), Coastal Carolina (9-1,4-1)
Key Players: Chandler Burks (3-6, 38 yards, 1st Career TD Pass); Jake McKenzie (23 rushes 98 yards; 136 yards passing); Alex Ross, Coastal Carolina (5 Touchdown Passes)
Key Stats: Kennesaw State (10 penalties for 98 yards; 2 turnovers)

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CONWAY, S.C.  – Reigning Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year Alex Ross threw four first-half touchdowns and No. 4 Coastal Carolina scored on five consecutive possessions en route to a 45-13 victory over Kennesaw State Saturday (Nov. 14) at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C.
 
Ross, who became the Big South Conference's all-time total offense leader, threw touchdown passes of 10, 16, 41 and 15 yards as the Chanticleers (9-1, 4-1) built a 31-6 halftime lead.  The Alpharetta, Ga. native, who completed 16-of-21 passes for 222 yards in the opening half, finished the game 20-of-27 for 262 yards and five touchdowns.
 
Wide receiver Chris Jones was Ross' favorite target, catching six passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Slot receiver Tyrell Banks also had two touchdown receptions among his five catches.
 
The Owls (6-4, 2-3) answered Coastal Carolina's first score with a touchdown drive of their own, moving 70 yards in seven plays and capping the drive with a 9-yard scoring pass from Chandler Burks to Justin Sumpter to make it a 7-6 game with 4:36 remaining in the first quarter. The scoring play marked the first pass attempt and touchdown for Burks, who replaced Jake McKenzie after his helmet came off on the previous play and he was forced to leave the game for a play.
 
Kennesaw State was able move the ball against Coastal Carolina as the Owls accumulated 433 yards of total offense. However, 10 penalties for 98 yards and two turnovers stalled drives and put KSU in long down-and-distance situations.
 
Redshirt freshman Jake McKenzie, who was making his first career start, rushed 23 times for 98 yards and completed 8-of-20 passes for a career-high 136 yards.
 
Junior safety Derrick Farrow led the Owls' defense with a team-high 10 solo tackles, including one tackle for loss, and had a pass breakup.
 
Coastal Carolina, which entered the game leading the Big South Conference in total offense (444.8 ypg) and scoring offense (35.2), totaled 451 yards and scored on eight of its 12 possessions.
 
Next Game: Kennesaw State concludes its inaugural season next Saturday (Nov. 21) when it travels to Clinton, S.C. to take on Presbyterian at Bailey Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. and can been season on the Big South Network and listened to at KSUOwls.com.
 
Notes
* The Owls debuted a new uniform combination on Saturday, unveiling road white jerseys and black pants. It was the sixth different combination Kennesaw State has worn this season.
* Offensive lineman CJ Collins, linebacker Dez Billingslea and punter Hunter Smith served as game captains.
* Kennesaw State won the coin toss for the eighth time in 10 games and deferred to the second half.
* The Owls did not score on their first possession for only the fourth time this season. KSU has put points on the scoreboard on six of their 10 initial drives.
* The 13 points scored by Coastal Carolina in the first quarter was the most allowed by the Owls in the opening quarter of a game this season.
* The five touchdowns thrown by Coastal Carolina's Alex Ross were the most surrendered by the Kennesaw State defense this season. The previous high was four by Liberty's Josh Woodrum.
* KSU forced at least one turnover for the ninth time in 10 games when Taylor Henkle forced a fumble that was recovered by Dante' Blackmon.
* Redshirt freshman QB Jake McKenzie made his first career start and rushed 23 times for 98 yards and completed 8-of-20 passes for a career-high 136 yards.
* Redshirt freshman QB Chandler Burks saw extensive playing time and connected on 3-of-6 passes for 38 yards and threw his first career touchdown pass, a 9-yard toss to WR receiver Justin Sumpter.
* Kennesaw State amassed 433 total yards of offense, marking the sixth time in 10 games it has surpassed 400 yards. The Owls have totaled 350 or more yards nine times.
* Freshman running back Darnell Holland scored on a 15-yard run for his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.

Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium is the home of women's soccer, women's lacrosse and football, which will play its inaugural season in 2015.
 
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