By Don Stone, KennesawStateSports.com, FootballAtlanta.com
It was interesting to see former head coach Brian Bohannon before the game greeting his former team on the Owl Walk. At halftime, he was on the concourse with numerous fans coming up and shaking his hand telling him how much they admired his work over the years and wishing him well.
He was here mainly as a proud father watching his kids play football. But, also as a surrogate dad for all the players he recruited and coached over their playing time here at KSU. He will be missed. Always gracious and optimistic.
It was also nice to see his sons, Blake and Braden Bohannon, on the field as honorary captains for the coin toss.
Dealing with the loss of the only head coach they had ever known to facing a 7-2 playoff bound opponent, the Owls showed some grit overcoming a lot of adversity to keep the game close with the game tied at 3, again at 10 and again at 17 before finally going into overtime.
A missed field goal in OT made it easy for Sam Houston (8-2, 5-1 CUSA) who then needed any points to put the game away. They got that as quarterback Hunter Watson scampered into the end zone for the 23-17 victory. The second overtime loss for the Owls in two weeks.
Defense dominated the first half with KSU getting on the board first with a 25 yard Austin Welch field goal. The Bearkats tied it just before the half with a 29 yarder of their own. Watson put SHSU ahead with a 25 yard touchdown run, but gave the Owls some new life as JeRico Washington picked Watson off at the 7. Kennesaw State took advantage of the short field with a Michael Benefield score to tie it at 10.
In the fourth quarter, the Bearkats hit paydirt first with a Jay Ducker TD pushing their lead to 17-10 with just under two minutes remaining. But, KSU QB Davi Bryson led an impressive game tying drive that culminated with a clutch Carson Kent score with just 25 seconds left in regulation. Game tied for the third time at 17.
In overtime, the Owls got the ball first, but saw their 36 yard field goal sail wide left. The miss opened the door for Sam Houston. Watson sprinted for a 10 yard touchdown on just three plays sealing a hard-fought 23-17 victory. The loss dropped KSU to 1-9 overall, 1-5 CUSA).
KSU regroups and hosts FIU (2-4, 0-3 CUSA) next Saturday in another Conference USA matchup in another Saturday 3:00 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+. The Panthers are coming off a touch 34-31 loss at Jax State.
