Led behind a season-high 323 yards of offense and stifling defense, Kennesaw State football upended undefeated Liberty, 27-24, for its first NCAA FBS victory in school history on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Stadium.
The Flames (5-1, 3-1 Conference USA) struck first with a 15-yard touchdown through the air, but the Owls (1-6, 1-2 CUSA) didn't back down and responded with 14-straight points to take a lead of their own.
Quarterback Davis Bryson connected with Christian Moss through the air for a 41-yard touchdown strike before a 1-yard Michael Benefield rush capped a four-play, 60-yard drive in the second quarter.
Despite the first career interception from redshirt junior Tyler Hallum late in the second half, Liberty would then tie up the game heading into the half.
KSU's defense would then come out of the intermission with their hair on fire, forcing a three-and-out and holding the Flames to 49 yards of offense total in the third.
Running back Qua Ashley found paydirt first, taking in a 6-yard rush to pull the Owls ahead with 8:02 minutes remaining in the third quarter before KSU kicker Austin Welch went to work, converting field goals from 31 and 41 yards to keep the lead intact.
Overall, Bryson completed 16-of-20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown on the night to go along with 20 rushing yards. Benefield (54) and Ashley (52) combined for 106 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Through the air, true freshman wideout Jaden Robinson had a season-high 72 yards on three catches, while Moss finished with 56 receiving yards and a TD. Blake Bohannon also hauled in two catches for 37 yards, including a key 16-yard connection on the sideline to help ice the clock on the final drive.
Not to be outdone, the Owls' defense held Liberty to its lowest rushing output of the season (180 yards), getting led by redshirt senior Sidney Porter, who recorded eight tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss on the game.
Defensive back Tyler Hallum also had a career-game, recording six tackles, an interception and three pass breakups. Donelius Johnson, JeRico Washington Jr. and Garland Benyard all chipped in six stops apiece, while Benyard also contributed 1.5 huge tackles for loss on the night.
Overall on the night, Kennesaw State's defense amassed 4.0 tackles for loss, six pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.
The Owls will now head out on the road for two weeks, beginning at Western Kentucky on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the KSU Owl Network.
