By Don Stone, KennesawStateSports.com, FootballAtlanta.com
Kennesaw State delivered a signature win at home Saturday night, knocking off 1-3 Arkansas State 28-21 at Fifth Third Stadium. The Owls leaned on their running game, a disciplined defensive effort, and a clutch fourth-quarter stop to secure the program’s first home win over a Sun Belt opponent.
Head coach Jerry Mack said the Owls set the tone early by executing the game plan with precision.
“We came out of the gate exactly how you want to at home,” Mack said. “Our guys were locked in, they played fast, and we built confidence with that 21-0 lead. That first half was some of our best football since I’ve been here.”
Fast Start at Home: The Owls wasted no time behind a run-heavy attack, scoring on their opening possession and adding two more touchdowns before halftime. The defense fed off the offense’s energy. KSU forced its first turnover of the 2025 season on a forced fumble in the second quarter.
“Our team fed off the crowd and each other,” Mack said. “That early surge wasn’t an accident—it was preparation all week. We told the guys, if we punch first, we can control the flow, and that’s exactly what happened.”
Arkansas State Rallies Back: The Red Wolves fought back after halftime, stringing together scoring drives in the second, third and fourth quarters to erase most of the deficit, trimming the margin to in the third and then pulling within a touchdown again late in the fourth.
“We knew they were too good of a football team to go away quietly,” Mack said. “Credit to Arkansas State—they made adjustments, and we had to dig deep to respond in the second half.”
“Our defense closed it out when it mattered most,” Mack said. “That final takeaway is what you dream about as a coach—guys making plays with the game on the line. It wasn’t perfect, but it was gutsy.”
A Program-Defining Moment: Mack said Saturday’s performance reflected the progress of Kennesaw State’s transition into FBS.
“This is the kind of win that builds belief,” he said. “We showed we can start fast, we showed we can finish, and most importantly, we showed we belong in this league. I couldn’t be prouder of the way our guys defended Fifth Third Stadium tonight.”
They’ll have another chance to do it again on Saturday when they begin Conference USA play with a 6:00 p.m. game with another 1-3 team in the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders who are coming off a 42-28 Homecoming loss to Marshall.