By Don Stone, KennesawStateSports.com, FootballAtlanta.com
The Kennesaw State Owls football team is set to open the home portion of their 2025 schedule on Saturday, September 13, against the Merrimack Warriors at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium. The 6:00 p.m. kickoff marks a significant moment for first-year Head Coach Jerry Mack. The game, which will be broadcast on ESPN+, features a “FLIGHT29 Runout” where 2,000 first-year students will lead the Owls onto the field, and fans are encouraged to wear white.
Kennesaw State comes into the game with an 0-2 record after opening the season with two road games against Power 4 opponents, including #23/21 Indiana. Despite the early losses, some players have shown promise.
Wide receiver Gabriel Benyard has recorded seven receptions for 154 yards and is approaching a career milestone, needing 44 more receiving yards to reach 1,000 for his career, which would be the second-highest total in Kennesaw State history. Running back Coleman Bennett has also contributed with 100 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Defensively, linebacker Baron Hopson leads the team with 16 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss. Defensive backs Caleb Offord and Milon Jones both have 13 tackles.
The defensive line, including Donovan Westmoreland, Tylon Dunlap, and Rod Daniels, has each recorded a sack. Kicker Daniel Kinney was perfect on three field goal attempts against Indiana, including a 50-yarder, which is the longest in CUSA this season. But, he missed an extra point and a field goal in the opener at Wake Forest, which turned out to be the difference in the one point loss.
The game against Merrimack is the first of four consecutive home games for the Owls. Following this matchup, Kennesaw State will host Arkansas State on September 20.
Merrimack College is based in North Andover, Massachusetts and plays football as an FCS Independent team because the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which Merrimack joined in 2024, does not sponsor football. The team was previously a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) before leaving it and the NEC’s football conference for MAAC membership.
The Warriors are 1-1 on the season coming off a 31-6 victory at home against Saint Anselm College. Quarterback Ayden Pereira threw for 239 yards and a touchdown in the win.