Kennesaw St. ends Liberty streak, wins 1st in FBS
Oct 23, 2024, 11:12 PM ET KENNESAW, Ga.– Davis Bryson threw for a touchdown, Michael Benefield and Qua Ashley each hurried for a rating, and Kennesaw State topped formerly unbeaten Liberty 27-24 on Wednesday night to protect the program’s very first FBS victory.Kennesaw State(1-6, 1-2 Conference U.S.A.)also picked up its very first win against a Division I team because topping FCS member UT Martin on Nov. 5, 2022. The Owls had wins over lower-level Tusculum, Lincoln( California)and Virginia Lynchburg last season. They went into Wednesday 0-10 versus FBS teams in school history.Liberty (5-1, 3-1 ), which got in as one of 11 unbeaten groups in the FBS, had the longest active regular-season winning streak end at 17. Editor’s Picks 1 Related According to ESPN Research Study, it was the sixth time an 0-5 or worse team beat a 5-0 or better group in the AP survey
era. The last time it took place remained in 2001, when North Texas upset Middle Tennessee.Kennesaw State held a 24-17 lead when Liberty decided to go for it on fourth-and-6 with 8 minutes left. The Flames were flagged for an incorrect start to move out of field goal range, and the Owls then forced Kaidon Salter into a toss out of bounds to get the ball back.Bryson then finished passes of 15 backyards to Christian Moss and 25 to Blake Bohannon to get into Liberty territory. Austin Welch topped the drive with his 11th straight made field goal, from 42 backyards out, for a 27-17 lead with 4:13 remaining.Liberty decreased the field rapidly, ending with a 17-yard scoring toss from Salter to Elijah Canion with 1:49 left to get within three points.Kennesaw State’s Preston Daniels recovered the taking place onside kick, but the Owls were unable to pick up a first down, and Liberty got the
ball back with six seconds left at its 35. Salter’s throw went out of bounds and the fans rushed the field– however the authorities put one 2nd back on the clock.
After the fans went back to the stands, Liberty fumbled a lateral play to end it.Salter threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.