Kennesaw State defeats Gardner-Webb in Big South Conference Game

By Morgana Kennedy

Oct. 17, 2015

Owls head coach Brian Bohannon taking questions after a win against Gardner-Webb University, Saturday Oct. 17.

KENNESAW, Ga. -- Justin Thompson kicked four field goals to help the Owls win their first conference game 12-7 against the Bulldogs at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Saturday.

After two false starts and the offense holding the ball without putting it in the end zone Kennesaw State relied on kicking and defense to take on the Bulldogs. Thompson made a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter, putting them ahead 3-0.

“We were trying every way we could to get that ball in the end zone,” head coach Brian Bohannon said. “I mean field goals really weren’t our mindset. … but, you felt like if you could put up two scores you were in pretty good shape.”

The Owls defense held the Bulldogs to only two first downs in the second quarter. A field goal made by Thompson with nine seconds left remained unanswered as Gardner-Webb rushed for a loss of one yard to finish the first half.

During the third quarter GWC's quarterback Tyrell Maxwell completed a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Jacob Henderson for the first down, but the Bulldogs were unable to put points on the board until the fourth quarter.

At the start of the fourth Thompson made a 27-yard field goal to put KSU at 12-0. With 5:33 left, the Bulldogs’ running back John Bettistea rushed one yard for a touchdown. A kick from Paul Schumacher gave the Bulldogs seven points, forcing the Owls to fight to keep their lead.

The game came down to the final seconds as KSU’s defensive lineman Nick Perrotta intercepted Tyrell’s final pass at the goal line with 0:03 left. The Owl’s remain undefeated at home with a record of 5-1 for the season, and enter into Big South competition at 1-0.

“This was one of those games that we really had to grind it out,” KSU quarterback Trey White said. “This was our coming out party.”

White led the offense with a total of 114 passing yards and 170 yards rushing. The Owls’ defense only allowed the Bulldogs 200 yards.

The Owls play Liberty University on Saturday as they continue in the Big South Conference. Gardner-Webb defeated Liberty 34-20 in their first conference game last week.

“We won the game and for a young program this is huge, huge,” Bohannon said. “At home in the first conference game and we found a way to win.”