Kennesaw State University Football: A History of Rapid Ascent
The Kennesaw State Owls football program represents Kennesaw State University in college football. The team began play in 2015 and has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. From its humble beginnings in the Big South Conference to its current status in Conference USA, the Owls' journey is a testament to ambition, strategic planning, and on-field success.
Origins and Planning
Kennesaw State had considered adding a football team at various points in its history. The journey to establishing a football program at Kennesaw State University was a carefully considered and strategically executed process. The school had concluded a feasibility survey which affirmed it would be possible to have Division I football. Recognizing the potential benefits of a football program, KSU took deliberate steps to gauge student interest and assess the viability of such an endeavor. On November 9, 2007, a survey was administered by the Student Government with 77.6 percent of respondents voting in favor of starting a football program. This overwhelming support underscored the enthusiasm for bringing football to KSU.
In December 2009, KSU President Daniel S. Papp appointed a football exploratory committee headed by legendary University of Georgia coach, Vince Dooley. The appointment of Vince Dooley, a figure of immense stature in college football, signaled KSU's seriousness about building a competitive program. KSU athletic director Vaughn Williams stated that KSU was targeting fielding a team for the 2014 season playing at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level formerly known as I-AA. While the initial target of a 2014 launch was not met, the groundwork was being laid for future success.
KSU presented its plans for the football program to the State Board of Regents on February 13, 2013, and on February 14, KSU officially announced that the State Board of Regents had accepted its proposal for the football team. This pivotal moment marked the official green light for the program, paving the way for the hiring of coaches, recruitment of players, and construction of facilities.
Early Years in the Big South Conference (2015-2021)
At the time that football started play, KSU was a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, which would not sponsor football until the 2020s. KSU would thus have to either play as an independent or find a new conference to join, either for all sports or as a football associate. On September 3, 2013, KSU announced that it would join the Big South Conference as a football-only member to begin play in the 2015 season. This decision provided the Owls with a competitive conference affiliation from the outset.
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In 2016, the Atlantic Sun and Big South agreed to an alliance between the two conferences where football-playing schools in both conferences were part of one Big South conference for the sport. This alliance further solidified the Big South's position as a viable football conference for KSU.
The program began playing games in the fall of 2015, with a 56-16 win against East Tennessee State. This resounding victory set the tone for a program that would quickly become known for its high-powered offense and aggressive defense.
In the program's fourth year of existence (third season played, as the 2014 season was practice only and every player took a red shirt) the Owls won the 2017 Big South Championship, going 5-0 in conference play. This remarkable achievement demonstrated the rapid progress the program had made in a short period.
Kennesaw State received the conference's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs in both those seasons, in 2017 as an unseeded team the Owls hosted Samford in a rematch of the season opener, Kennesaw avenged the early season loss and went on the next week to upset the third-ranked Jacksonville State Gamecocks. At the time that was the best win in program history. This playoff run showcased the Owls' ability to compete with the nation's best FCS teams. After the huge win the Owls traveled to sixth-ranked Sam Houston State for the quarterfinals, the Owls lost the game 34-27, but had a huge swing of momentum heading into the 2018 season.
In the 2018 season the Owls opened at fifth in both polls, the highest in program history. Kennesaw lost its third-straight season opener, a road loss to nearby Georgia State. It was the program's first game against an FBS team and ended with a 24-20 loss at GA State Stadium (formerly Centennial Olympic Stadium and Turner Field). Despite the setback, the Owls embarked on an impressive winning streak. After the setback the Owls did not lose again, winning 11 games in a row. After a 56-17 road win against Gardner-Webb, Kennesaw was voted to the number two spot in both the FCS STATS and coaches' polls, behind only North Dakota State. Just like in 2017, Kennesaw finished 5-0 in the Big South, winning a second consecutive conference championship. That made the Owls the first team to win the conference outright in back to back seasons since former member Liberty did so in 2007 and 2008. The regular season was completed with a win against Jacksonville State at SunTrust Park. A five-overtime shootout ended in a 60-52 Owl victory that is now regarded as the most exciting in school history. This thrilling victory underscored the program's ability to perform under pressure and deliver memorable moments for its fans.
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Holding a 10-1 regular season record, Kennesaw received a first-round bye as the fourth seed in the FCS playoffs. In the second round the Owls hosted the Wofford College Terriers, winning 13-10. The Owls lost in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row the following week at home against South Dakota State.
At the conclusion of the 2019 season, in which Kennesaw was 11-3, the Owls tallied a 48-15 total record from the start of the program. This impressive record reflects the consistent success the program has achieved since its inception.
The Owls have appeared in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs four times. This consistent presence in the playoffs demonstrates the program's ability to compete at the highest level of FCS football.
Transition to FBS and Conference USA (2022-Present)
In 2022, KSU's full-time home of the Atlantic Sun Conference (then officially branded as the ASUN Conference) launched an FCS football league, with KSU as one of its initial six members. This move provided KSU with a more stable conference affiliation for football.
The Owls team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of Conference USA (CUSA).
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Kennesaw State to Join Conference USA in 2024-25. This transition marks a significant step forward for the program, elevating its profile and providing new opportunities for competition and growth.
Key Moments and Achievements
- Inaugural Game (2015): A dominant 56-16 victory over East Tennessee State marked the beginning of the program and set the tone for future success.
- 2017 Big South Championship: The Owls' first conference title, achieved in just their third season of play, demonstrated the program's rapid ascent.
- 2018 Big South Championship: A second consecutive conference title solidified the Owls' position as a dominant force in the Big South.
- 60-52 Five-Overtime Win vs. Jacksonville State (2018): This thrilling victory is considered one of the most exciting games in school history and showcased the team's resilience and determination.
- Multiple FCS Playoff Appearances: The Owls' consistent presence in the FCS playoffs demonstrates their ability to compete at the highest level.
- Transition to Conference USA (2024): This move to the FBS level marks a significant milestone in the program's history and opens up new opportunities for growth and competition.
- First player ever drafted from Kennesaw State: New Bears DT Travis Bell.
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