By Don Stone, KennesawStateSports.com, FootballAtlanta.com
Lights will flash, the student section will roar, and history will be written under the Thursday night sky at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium. The Kennesaw State Owls kick off their highly anticipated 2026 college football season on Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m., hosting the West Georgia Wolves in a landmark, first-ever meeting between the two Peach State programs.
For the reigning Conference USA champions, the game represents more than just a home opener. It is a chance to keep the magic alive after a historic 10-win season last year that saw the team execute the largest year-over-year turnaround in conference history.
Entering Year 2 under head coach Jerry Mack, KSU is protecting a fierce seven-game home winning streak.
“Protecting our home turf is the standard here,” Mack said at his weekly press conference. “We love the environment our fans create at Fifth Third Stadium, and starting the season with an in-state matchup adds an extra layer of energy. Our guys have been hitting each other all summer. They are ready to play someone else.”
The matchup features an interesting subplot: Kennesaw State’s brand-new backfield includes running back Latrelle Murrell, a high-profile transfer who crossed state lines directly from West Georgia. He joins Syracuse transfer quarterback Rickie Collins to lead an explosive, reloaded Owls offense. Interestingly, last year’s star QB, Amari Odom, transferred the other way to Syracuse in the offseason.
While Kennesaw State enters the contest fresh and playing its first game of the fall, West Georgia arrives with a slight competitive edge—they already have a game under their belt. The Wolves opened their season a week early, shaking off some initial rust and third-down struggles, but proving they can be a dangerous opponent.
“They have the advantage of game-speed repetition, and we know they’re going to come in hungry and sharp,” Mack noted regarding the Wolves. “We have to bypass the usual first-game jitters immediately. Executing our game plan from the very first whistle is everything.”
For the players, the excitement of an all-Georgia battle has been building since the schedule dropped in March.
“An in-state opener is special because you know a lot of the guys on the other side of the ball,” said Owls senior defensive lineman Tyler Scott. “There’s a lot of pride on the line. We want to show everyone what Kennesaw State football is about in 2026, and it starts Thursday night.”
A possible distraction…West Georgia head football coach Steve Englehart was sidelined just 90 minutes before the Wolves’ season opener against Chattanooga and could be facing a suspension of up to six games. Englehart is not expected to be on the sidelines when the Wolves travel to face KSU. Associate head coach and offensive coordinator Jayson Martin has assumed interim head coach duties.
The game will be broadcast live to a national audience on ESPN+, with local radio coverage handled by the KSU Owl Network..