By Don Stone, KennesawStateSports.com, FootballAtlanta.com
Kennesaw State will play one of the biggest games in program history on Saturday, heading to Lynchburg to face Liberty in a Conference USA showdown that could send the Owls to the league championship game.
High Stakes in Lynchburg – Kennesaw State enters the regular-season finale at 8-3 overall and 6-1 in Conference USA, riding a stretch of eight wins in its last nine games. Liberty, at 4-7 and 3-4 in CUSA, has lost three straight but has pushed opponents into tight finishes, including back-to-back one-score defeats. Their most recent was a 34-28 loss at Louisiana Tech. All three losses came in either the final minute of regulation or overtime.
Oddsmakers have Kennesaw State as a narrow road favorite by about a field goal, with the total in the mid-50s, reflecting expectations for a competitive, high-scoring game.
With tiebreakers still in play across the league, the Owls can keep themselves firmly in the Conference USA title picture by winning on the road. A victory puts them in the CUSA Championship Game. Even with a loss, they can still get in if Jax State beats Western Kentucky in their regular season finale Saturday.
“We’re still very much in the mix, but none of that matters if we don’t handle our business this weekend,” head coach Jerry Mack said earlier this week. “Liberty’s a tough, physical football team. They run the ball extremely well, they’ve been in a lot of close games, and they’ll be ready to play spoiler on senior day. Our guys understand the stakes.”
Odom Leads Owls’ Balanced Attack – Quarterback Amari Odom has emerged as the centerpiece of Kennesaw State’s offense, combining efficiency through the air with timely production on the ground. He has completed more than 65 percent of his passes and is averaging close to 200 passing yards per game with a strong touchdown-to-interception ratio, while also contributing as a runner in the Owls’ option-based scheme. Odom has been named the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week, the first Conference USA quarterback to earn the weekly honor. In the Owls’ 41-34 win over Missouri State, he set new program records for passing yards (387), total offense (419), passing touchdowns (5) and TDs responsible for (6). That also got him named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. His teammate, WR Clayton Coppock, was named Freshman of the Week.
“Amari’s poise has been huge for us,” Mack said. “He’s making good decisions, getting us into the right plays, and spreading the ball around. When your quarterback is in command like that, it gives the whole team confidence.”
Kennesaw State averages around 160 rushing yards per contest, with back Coleman Bennett leading the ground game, and the Owls have been especially sharp early; they rank among the top FBS teams in first-quarter scoring margin, outscoring opponents by about a touchdown on average in the opening period. “Starting fast has been an emphasis all season,” Odom said. “On the road in an environment like Liberty, we’ve got to set the tone from the first drive.”
Liberty’s Spoiler Role – Liberty counters with a run-heavy attack powered by dual-threat quarterback Ethan Vasko, who leads the Flames in passing yards but was primarily responsible for last week’s loss tossing four interceptions.. Running back Evan Dickens has four straight 100-yard rushing games.
. As a team, Liberty averages more than 200 rushing yards per game, but turnovers have haunted the Flames; Vasko has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes this season, part of the reason for their losing record despite strong offensive yardage. “They can hit you in the run game from a lot of different looks,” Mack noted. “If you’re not disciplined with your fits, they’ll make you pay.”
Defensively, Kennesaw State allows roughly 23 points per game, with linebacker Baron Hopson leading a unit that has been opportunistic, while Liberty’s defense has given up around 27 points and more than 400 yards per game. The matchup sets up as a contrast between the Owls’ recent consistency and Liberty’s volatility in close games.
Championship Implications – “You don’t get many chances like this,” Mack said. “Our message is simple—focus on each play, each series. If we play to our standard, the rest will take care of itself.”
For Odom and the Owls, Saturday at Williams Stadium represents both a test and an opportunity: a chance to prove they can win a high-pressure road game and take the next step in their rise as a Conference USA contender.
The Western Kentucky game at Jax State will be an hour and a half under way on Saturday when KSU kicks off at 3:30 p.m. The game can be seen nationally on the CBS Sports Network.