Week 12 Matchup: No. 6 Jacksonville State (8-2) vs. No. 2 Kennesaw State (9-1)
Kickoff: 3 p.m. at SunTrust Park in Atlanta
Broadcast: Fox Sports Southeast
Series: Kennesaw State leads 1-0 (Owls won 17-7 at Jacksonville State in FCS playoff second round Dec. 2, 2017)
The Skinny: A budding rivalry is growing between two schools which are about 85 miles apart as they meet in the first college football game at SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Originally thought to be the first meeting, that occurred in last year’s playoffs with a Kennesaw State win. Leading into the nonconference game, Jacksonville State earned its fifth straight Ohio Valley Conference title and fourth-year program Kennesaw State its second consecutive Big South crown.
Jacksonville State was limited to 187 yards, and just 54 after halftime, in last year’s playoff loss to the Owls. This season, Clemson transfer QB Zerrick Cooper has stepped in to tie the school record for touchdown passes in a season (23), with many going to WRs Josh Pearson (16, the high in Division I) and Jamari Hester (7). The Gamecocks defense ranks among the best in the FCS, including the No. 1 mark in defending third downs (22.5 percent), which is in direct contrast to Kennesaw State’s offense leading the nation in converting third downs (56.3 percent). LB Jalen Choice (team-high 62 tackles and 95 tackles for loss) has had a breakout season to match the elite play of NT Randy Robinson and FS Marlon Bridges. The senior class is 41-8, a .837 winning percentage.
Kennesaw State has won nine straight games since a season-opening loss at Georgia State. Coach Brian Bohannon’s Owls rank No. 2 in the FCS in scoring offense (47.5 ppg) and rushing offense (376.2), led by QB Chandler Burks, whose 26 rushing touchdowns are one shy of the FCS single-season record. Their triple option attack wears down defenses with ball control. Breakaway RB Darnell Holland is coming off a 195-yard, three-TD performance in the Big South clincher. The defense tends to be overshadowed by the offense yet ranks second in the FCS in scoring defense (11.1 ppg) and total defense (236.5 ypg). LBs Bryson Armstrong, Anthony Gore Jr. and Charlie Patrick are 1-2-3 on the team in tackles. The halftime adjustments have been incredible: The Owls have scored on their first possession of the third quarter in nine of the 10 games and outscored opponents 152-7 in the quarter.
“I think we have been waiting on this week for a very long time,” JSU coach John Grass said. “It is a familiar team because we played them last year, but this game has nothing to do with last year. You could say revenge or motivation, but our guys will be ready to play and so will their guys. It’s going to be a great football game.”
Prediction: There will be a playoff feeling in the air, with a seed and a first-round bye likely at stake for both teams. More overall size and an improved passing game boost Jacksonville State, while Kennesaw State’s team speed a difference maker. Kennesaw State, 24-17.
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