SHORTER NOTES
KENNESAW STATE NOTES
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By Jim O'Hara
 
ROME, Ga – They have never backed down from a challenge since the program began 11 years ago, especially when it comes to taking on a Division I team that making its inaugural debut in Georgia.

On Saturday, the program that ignited the resurgence of college football in the Peach State a decade ago will square off against the state's newest team when the NCAA Division II Shorter Hawks make the short trip down I-75 to meet the undefeated Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Kennesaw State Owls for a 1 p.m. kick-off at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw.

The showdown is the second time Shorter (0-1) will be facing a new FCS in-state opponent, having played Georgia State in its inaugural season opener in 2010 at the Georgia Dome, and the clash against the 2-0 Owls will be the sixth time the Hawks have battled an FCS team.

"They do a very, very good job," Shorter head coac Phil Jones said of the 2-0 Owls, who enter the game getting their first-ever season rolling to 56-16 season-opening win over East Tennessee State and enjoying a 58-7 romp last week against NAIA foe Edward Waters. "They've got all the things in place to have a successful program and they've put together a very good team."

Under the direction of head coach Brian Bohannon, who had two years to put together the team and has implemented the same – like Shorter's – option-offense that he coached as an assistant at Georgia Tech, the Owls have made an immediate impact in the FCS right out of the gate.

Kennesaw has become just the fourth FCS program since 2008 to begin with two straight wins and the first since 2008 to score 50-plus points in each of its first two games, leads the FCS in scoring offense (57 ppg) and is ranked second nationally with 361.5 rushing yards a game.

The Owls are led by redshirt junior quarterback Trey White, who transferred to Kennesaw State from The Citadel. White leads the FCS in passing efficiency with a 272.71 mark, having 4 of 9 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, but heads up the KSU potent and balanced run game having rushed for 161 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively, the Owls boast a unit that tops the Big South Conference in scoring defense (11.5), total defense (263.5), pass defense (135.5 ypg.) and turnover margin (+5), and after KSU's win over Edward Waters, junior defensive back Derrick Farrow was named the Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week after recording a team-high five tackles and three forced fumbles, including one that led directly to a touchdown and one that prevented a score.

"A game like this helps you get better and better," said Jones. "It gives is the opportunity to get better. It's hard to get better if you don't play the teams like we do.
"And that's what we want because we know how hard and tough the conference is we play in."

For the second straight week, Shorter's defense will get an immediate test, but judging from what they did in last week's 20-7 season-opening loss to Carson-Newman, the Hawks should present problems for the Owls. Against Carson-Newman, which a week before scored 59 points and produced more than 640 total yards, the Hawks held the Eagles to just 20 points – 10 of those came off of Shorter turnovers – and less than 300 yards.

Junior linebacker Zach Butts headed up Shorter's defense with 15 total tackles, senior All-American safety Jordan Shaw added 11 stops and senior linebacker Dominique Henfield had 10.

When they have the ball, the Hawks bring an offense that showcased a fullback that opened the season with an impressive showing and gave a hint of the potential the entire unit has ahead of them.

Against Carson-Newman, junior fullback B.J. McCoy led the Hawks rushing for 139 yards on 18 carries, including a 77-yard touchdown run, and the single-game yardage and scoring jaunt were the most since 2013.

The Hawks finished the opener gaining 242 yards in total offense, but the game marked the first season-opening start for seven players, including redshirt sophomore quarterback Devante James. James completed 4 of 12 passes for 70 yards and connected with four different receivers – Cody Simpson, Sean Fowler, Trey Lawhorn and Aaron Bryant.

"Our kids are ready to go," Jones said. 'They've kept working extremely hard and I'm so proud of them."

"They're not about to back down from anyone."