Kennesaw State isn’t just some pushover on the schedule, nope, they’re already forcing legit SEC squads to sweat, and anyone who’s actually watching the film knows it. Forget their win-loss record, this team makes life absolutely miserable for any defense that thinks they can just smash the run game and coast to a W.
Tennessee Got a Real Scare
The Vols probably thought they had this game locked up early, right? Big mistake. Kennesaw State ripped off 31 rushing yards on the very first drive, and for a hot second, that whole Tennessee defense looked shaky. The panic might not have stuck around, but the scare was definitely real. Reports say the defense did eventually snap back, holding the Owls to just 71 rushing yards over the next ten drives. But here’s the kicker: that 42-9 final score really covers up how well Kennesaw State moved the ball and how nervous they made Tennessee. Quarterback Rickie Collins was a problem, throwing for 189 yards and running the ball 14 times. He was so elusive and tough to bring down. Defensive lineman Mariyon Dye straight-up admitted Collins is “a really slippery, real fast guy.” That speed is what makes the Owls dangerous, they play fast and force big teams to scrap their whole game plan on the fly.
Arkansas State’s Brutal Reality Check
Now it’s Arkansas State’s turn to face that same speed and skill. The Red Wolves just took a loss against TCU, and they’re scrambling to sort out their issues before Saturday night. Offensive lineman Wil Saxton wasn’t happy with the scoreboard after the TCU game, saying, “don’t really think the score really showed the true outcome of that game.” He pointed out they had more rushing yards than any other team TCU has faced all year, but still lost. That’s a gut punch for any offense. Head coach Butch Jones knows the mountain ahead is massive, telling his squad, “We will be challenged Saturday night.” He specifically warned them about Kennesaw State’s deep balls and those route trees that look identical until it’s way too late. The Owls have a stout offensive line that just pushes people around. If Arkansas State can’t stop the run or handle that crazy tempo, they are in serious trouble.
Why the Owls Are Not a Joke
Both Kennesaw State and Arkansas State roll into this matchup with identical 1-2 records. That stat alone should tell you something. The Owls beat West Georgia, just like Arkansas State did, but they also went up against a Power 4 team and a Group of 6 team. The real difference is *how* they play. Tennessee linebacker Edwin Spillman said they needed to get “better to the boundary” and fix their tackling. That’s a direct admission that Kennesaw State found the holes! Their quick tempo offense is a grinder, wearing out defenses. They know how to move people off the ball, and they’ve got a quarterback who can make plays with his legs. Arkansas State absolutely has to finish drives and crash the box. If they can pull that off, they might just have a shot. If not, the Owls are gonna expose them just like they did to Tennessee. The pressure is on for that 6:00pm game at Centennial Bank Stadium.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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