By: Aury St. Germain
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– Behind a program-best 221 yards from Bronson Rechsteiner and another 183 from Isaac Foster, Kennesaw State rolled over Missouri State 35-24 for its second-straight victory.
For the first time this season, Kennesaw State allowed an opening-drive touchdown, as Missouri State took a 6-0 lead after having the ball for just under five minutes. Bryson Armstrong broke through the line and swatted the extra point attempt for his first blocked kick of the season.
Both teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the quarter and score remained 6-0 through the end of the first frame. Kennesaw State missed an opportunity for three points with 8:04 in the second quarter when a 44-yard field was pushed right.
Missouri State took advantage of a 55-yard punt to pin the Owls on their own half-yard line and forced a fumble on KSU’s first play of the drive. Two plays later, the Bears took a 13-0 lead with a two-yard run with 2:48 to go in the half.
On the ensuing drive, Kennesaw State responded with 75-yard run by Foster that included the sophomore slinging off three defenders while staying upright to cut the lead to 13-7 with under two minutes to play in the half. Aided by two penalties, Missouri State was able to reach field goal range and took advantage and knocked through a 37-yard try as time expired in the first half.
Foster showed off his speed on the first play of the second half as he took the ball 67 yards to pull the Owls within two points, 16-14.
On the very next play from scrimmage for the Owls’ offense, Rechsteiner bolted up the middle for an 85-yard score that gave the Owls their first lead of the game. In three offensive plays, the Owls garnered 227 rushing yards and three scores. The play was the longest play from scrimmage in program history.
In the third quarter alone, the Owls rushed for 223 yards.
Daniel David scampered in the end zone with 6:10 to play in the fourth quarter for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season that gave the Owls a 35-16 advantage. Missouri State answered with a 28-yard passing touchdown to cut it to 35-24 with just under three minutes to play in the contest.
Kennesaw State outgained Missouri State 526-385 in total offense and finished with 479 on the ground.
The Owls defense stood strong for the remainder of the contest and KSU held on for their first win over a Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent.
Team Notes
• KSU had two rushers with 180+ yards for the first time in program history
• The Owls collected just 14 first downs
• KSU ended with 526 yards of total offense, its third time with 500+ yards of offense this season
• Kennesaw State had the ball for just 24:16, it’s shortest of the season
• KSU averaged 10.9 yards per rush
• The Owls were two-for-two in the redzone
• The KSU quarterbacks rushed for just 13 times, their fewest of the season
• The defense allowed just 93 yards on the ground
• KSU outscored MSU 21-0 in the third quarter
