By: by Mike DeGeorge
Kennesaw State returns to the gridiron after its open week and welcomes non-conference foe North Greenville to The Nest for the first meeting all-time between the programs. The Owls (2-1) enter the game winning two straight and look to stay perfect at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The game can be seen live on Peachtree TV or heard on ESPN Radio 1230 and 106.3 The Fan 2.
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GAMEDAY TIMELINE
10:30 a.m. -- Parking lots open for tailgating
12:30 p.m. -- Fan Zone opens on Busbee Drive
12:30 p.m. -- Box Office opens
1:30 p.m. -- Owl Walk (corner of Big Shanty and Busbee Drive)
2:00 p.m. -- Gates open
3:30 p.m. -- Kickoff
PLEASE NOTE: GAMEDAY CHANGES COMING ON SATURDAY
In continuing efforts to expedite entry while maintaining the safety of all patrons, the Kennesaw State Department of Athletics has announced changes to its pregame protocols for football games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. As always, early arrival is important, and patrons are asked to familiarize themselves with the
Clear Bag policy and follow instructions from stadium personnel. Some of the changes, beginning tomorrow:
- Stadium gates will now open 90 minutes prior to kickoff – 30 minutes earlier than before. This will allow patrons more time to enter the stadium, the opportunity to view warmups, and enjoy concessions and vendors inside the stadium.
- Security personnel will increase at all gates to help alleviate congestion.
- Walk-through metal detectors will be added at certain high-traffic gates, while "wanding" will continue at all other gates. To minimize impact, please be prepared to remove your cell phone, camera, hat, keys and any other large metal objects from your person. You will not need to remove your watch, wallet, belt, jacket, shoes or coins.
- The Clear Bag policy will still be enforced at all gates. A separate line will be added at Gate B for those without bags.
For more information, click here.
HOW TO WATCH IT
Saturday's game is production of the Owl Network and airs locally on Peachtree TV in Atlanta and nationally on the Big South Network. Brian Katrek, Tutan Reyes and Chris Mooneyham have the call. Peachtree TV is available in the Atlanta market on the following channels: Comcast (ch. 7/802), Charter (ch. 7), AT&T Uverse (ch. 17), Dish Network (ch. 17) and DirecTV (ch. 17). For those outside the Atlanta market,
click here to watch on the Big South Network.
HOW TO HEAR IT
The game can also be heard live on ESPN 1230 and 106.3 The Fan 2 with Brian Giffin, Brandon Joseph and Nathan McCreary on the call. The Owls' pregame show begins at 3 p.m. You can hear the game in Atlanta on 1230AM and 106.3 FM. The game will also be streamed on atlantasportsstation.com or via The Fan 2's TuneIn app for your iPhone or Android device.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow @KennesawStFB for in-game updates on Twitter and use the hashtag #GoKSUOwls.
TEN THINGS TO KNOW FOR SATURDAY'S GAME
- Coming off its open week, Kennesaw State returns to Fifth Third Bank Stadium where it is 5-2 over its last seven games. The Owls are outscoring the opposition 37.7 to 14.1 in points per game over that seven-game home stretch.
- The last time out, Kennesaw State picked up a 20-14 road win at Alabama State on Sept. 16. The Owls have been equally as strong over their last seven road games, averaging 33.4 points per game and 454.9 yards of total offense.
- Trey Chivers' 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Owls a 7-0 edge over Alabama State, scoring first for the third time in as many games this season. KSU is 11-5 all-time when scoring first, and holds a perfect record of 15-0 when leading at the half.
- Kennesaw State is outscoring opponents by a 51-14 margin in the first half in three games, out-gaining the opposing team by a 798-385 margin. The Owls hold a 334 margin in total yards this season, and are 15-5 all-time when they out-gain their opponent in a game.
- The Owls' defense held the Hornets to just 36 rushing yards on the ground, falling 10 yards shy of the fewest allowed for a single game in program history (27 – vs. Shorter, 2015). KSU leads the Big South in scoring defense (18.7ppg), total defense (308.7ypg) and rushing defense (76.3) --which ranks 13th in the nation.
- Kennesaw State forced three turnovers at Alabama State, finishing with a 14-7 edge in points-off-turnover scoring. The Owls own a 30 scoring margin (37-7) in points-off-turnover scoring and ranks eighth national in turnover margin ( 5).
- Â Redshirt freshman LB Bryson Armstrong, who was named Big South Defensive Player of the Week and National Freshman of the Week, set a program-record 15 tackles (13 solo) at Alabama State. He recorded an interception and has four takeaways in just three career games. He ranks first in the nation in fumbles recovered (2) and 17th in INT per game (0.7).
- Senior DB Keon Roman recorded arguably his best game with KSU, compiling a career-high two interceptions, one pass breakup and three tackles at Alabama State. He is the first KSU player with multiple interceptions in the same game since former DB Dante Blackmon had three at Duquesne in 2016.
- The defense has recorded at least one interception in each game, totaling a nation-leading seven picks in three games. Armstrong (2), Roman (2), Dorian Walker (1), Taylor Henkle (1) and Brenton Wimberly (1) have each tallied at least one INT on the season.
- Zach Mitchler (RT) and Izzy Sam (LB) each made their 25th consecutive starts at Alabama State. They are the lone two Owls to have started each game in the program's history. Mitcher, Sam, along with Anthony Gore, Jr., Xavier Harper, Taylor Henkle, Darnell Holland, Drew McCracken, Devin Pughsley, and Nicolas Snowden have played in all 25 games in program history.
SATURDAY'S GAME PROMOTION
Saturday's game is a "Gold Out" and the Owls are encouraging fans to wear gold to the game, matching the uniform color the team will wear that day. To order your gold gear for the "Gold Out," visit Shop.KSUOwls.com or visit the KSU Bookstore on campus. The first 1,000 fans in the gates will receive a free gold t-shirt, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank.
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FAMILY FOUR PACK
Get four tickets to the game, plus a $20 concessions voucher and a parking pass for just $75! Visit KSUOwls.com/tickets or call 470-KSU-OWLS for information on the Family Four Pack!
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STUDENTS!
The first 2,000 KSU students that enter the stadium for Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game will be given a free t-shirt (see below). Claim your tickets by CLICKING HERE! We have 2,000 FREE Gold shirts for you on Saturday. Students must enter through Gate G to get a free t-shirt.
HONORARY COACH
Tomorrow, Kennesaw State University's Dr. Matthew Mitchelson, an associate professor of Geography, is the Owls' honorary coach. Mitchelson is the assistant chair in the Geography and Anthropology Department. He joined the Owls in 2011 after serving as a visiting professor at Dartmouth College. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in 2010, and holds an M.A. from East Carolina and a finance degree from the University of Kentucky.
CAPTAINS
Head Coach
Brian Bohannon has selected OL
Matt Frank, LB
Bryson Armstrong and LS
Drew McCracken as Saturday's captains. Kennesaw State volleyball coach
Keith Schunzel and his son Griffin are Saturday's honorary captains, and will join the captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss.
FAN INFORMATION
Visit www.KSUOwls.com/Gameday for information on parking, tailgating on stadium regulations. Fans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the stadium's list of prohibited items (below), in order to expedite the entry process. For security purposes, a Clear Bag Policy will be enforced this season. Please see
KSUOwls.com/clearbags for more information.
FAN ZONE
The Fan Zone opens three hours prior to kickoff and is located outside of the stadium on the West side. The Fan Zone includes sponsorship activation, vendors, the Spirit Squad, kids' games, giveaways and much more. The Fan Zone is free and open to the public. The Fan Zone is also the location of the "Owl Walk" two hours prior to kickoff.
PARKING
Parking lots open five hours prior to kickoff at 10:30 am. For those not currently holding a parking pass, you're encouraged to
pre-purchase a parking pass in advance via this link for $10. Passes purchased at the game are $15.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Outside alcoholic beverages
Weapons of any kind (i.e. knives (including pocket knives), pepper spray, stun-guns, slingshots, concealed weapons, firearms, etc.)
Fireworks of any kind (including smoke bombs and flares)
No glass and plastic bottles, cans, coolers, containers, food or beverages of any kind
Air horns, whistles, seat cushions with backs
Illegal drugs or chemicals
Laser pointers
Umbrellas
Animals (except service animals)
Unapproved pamphlets, handouts, advertisements, etc.
Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, roller shoes, etc.
Other items as may be determined by stadium security, staff or management
Personal cameras are permitted. Professional cameras/large detachable lens and tripods are not permitted without promoter approval. Video is only permitted with promoter approval and credentials.
-#GoKSUOwls-
