Gap Down Backer.

[Soapy]

Kennesaw State head coach Bubba Mack speaks on offensive line shake up, Skyler Williams' struggles
KingHootMan -- KSUOwlHowl.com Football Contributor

In hist most recent appearance on 107.5 The Fan, Kennesaw State head coach Bubba Mack kept it real on the state of the offensive line, putting the onus on them for their slow start. The Owls scored just one offensive touchdown in the first half against Missouri State when Mack pulled the entire starting offensive line on the last series of the first half and kept mostly backups for the second half where Kennesaw State erupted for thirty-seven second half points in the 52-13 blowout win over the Bears.

"Even as the head coach, [the offensive line] is my baby so I'm probably going to be tougher on them than any other unit," Mack told 107.5 The Fan after the game of the decision, "I just don't think we've played up to our potential up front and wanted to send them a wake up call. We rotated some guys back in the second half but we'll see, it's definitely up in the air right now on who will start."

Notable standouts include A.J. Andrews, who replaced Chrisdasson Saint-Jean, a second-year starter, at right tackle. Mack also praised redshirt freshman Josh Kilgo, who got some playing time in the Indiana game when redshirt senior Nikola Milovac, whose started every game since Mack's arrival, went down with an injury.

Mack also spoke on quarterback Skyler Williams' two interceptions in the second quarter, including one that occurred at the goal line to end what had been a successful two minute drive to end the half.

"I think he's trying to prove himself and establish himself," Mack said of Williams' struggles, "A lot of the guys that he's playing with right now, they weren't here last year. They didn't see him, you know, throw for however many yards and all the touchdowns he scored, all the games he carried us through. So I think he's pressing right now, trying to show to them that he's the guy and he's the leader of the team but we just have to do a better job of settling him into games and letting the game come to him. I think that's on all of us, as a coaching staff, as a team and ultimately, it's up to [Williams] to make the plays that are there."

The Owls are set to play arguably the top two teams in the conference in Western Kentucky and Liberty in the next two weeks, returning to Kennesaw for their first home game this week after a string of four consecutive road games.

[AJ_Josh]

Team is scoring plenty of points and blowing teams out but Mack still ain’t happy with the line. Love the drive.

[Soapy]

(4-1, 2-0 C-USA) (5-0, 2-0 C-USA)
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Kennesaw State Owls
Fifth Third Stadium - Sat 10/7/27, 7:00

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Team Schedule
vs. FCS Midwest: W 31-10
vs. Coastal Carolina (2-3): W 20-0
at Jacksonville State (2-3): W 40-6
vs. Miami University (3-3): L 26-9
at Sam Houston (0-4): W 35-17

Team Leaders
Passing: Aaron Philo 53 cmp%, 1140 yards, 11 TD, INT
Rushing: Corey Landers 420 yards, 3.9 ypc, TD
Receiving: Rashard Easy 24 receptions, 282 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Eric Etienne 18 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 sacks

Last Meeting
CFB 2024 Regular Season, Week 9 - Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky
(1-7) Kennesaw State 14 - 31 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (6-2)
--- QB Davis Bryson 13-26, 97 Yds, INT
--- HB Michael Benefield 16 Car, 98 Yds, TD
--- QB Caden Veltkamp 17-22, 276 Yds, 3 TD
--- DB Kent Robinson 3 Tkl, INT, PBU

Injuries
QB Aaron Philo (Junior) Foot Fracture (7 weeks)
S Che Ojarikre (Senior) Torn Tricep (7 weeks)
RT Max Thurston (Junior) Broken Collarbone (2 weeks)

Players to Watch
QB Cole Feuerbacher (R-Jr) | 6′3″, 209lbs | 74 OVR, 74 SPD, 85 THP, 85 SAC, 83 MAC, 77 DAC
‣ Hook is set to make his first career start with Aaron Philo sidelined for a good bit with a foot fracture. In his first appearance against Sam Houston, it went about as well as possible for Hook who completed all four of his passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. He'll be tested this week against a KSU defense that loves to bring pressure from all angles and isn't afraid to leave their corners on an island.

WR Tank Hawkins (Sr) | 5′10″, 176lbs | 83 OVR, 97 SPD, 96 ACC, 99 COD, 81 CTH
‣ One of the fastest and most dynamic players in the conference, the former Florida Gator scored five touchdowns last year for the Hilltoppers and is off to another fast start this year, averaging nearly seventy yards per game. He's yet to break one, though, with his longest reception being for 28 yards but it feels like at any moment, Hawkins can get loose and break a game open with his speed.

DT Eric Etienne (Sr) | 6′1″, 311lbs | 79 OVR, 84 STR, 92 PMV, 71 FMV, 83 BSH
‣ Amid the Owls offensive line struggles, things don't get easier up front for them with Eric Etienne coming into town. He's already matched his TFL production from last season and has five sacks this year after having just 1.5 last year. The interior has been shaky for the Owls and Etienne is a powerful and disruptive interior presence that should be able to impact both the passing game and the rushing offense.

[Soapy]

Team is scoring plenty of points and blowing teams out but Mack still ain’t happy with the line. Love the drive.

need to be better if we're going to be a serious team

[redsox907]

Team is scoring plenty of points and blowing teams out but Mack still ain’t happy with the line. Love the drive.

need to be better if we're going to be a serious team

[Soapy]

(4-2, 2-1 C-USA) (6-0, 3-0 C-USA)
CFB 2027 Regular Season, Week 6 - Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, Georgia

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WKU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
KENN | 7 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 35

‣ Kennesaw State quarterback Skyler Williams had his best day of the season, extending plays with his legs and accounting for 3 TDs.

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Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
Tyron Hoyt 10 Yd pass from Skyler Williams (8:39)

Quarter 2

Quarter 3
Greg Burrell, 3 Yd run (4:25)
Skyler Williams, 14 Yd run (0:00)

Quarter 4
Kam Davis, 2 Yd run (9:13)
Skyler Williams, 9 Yd run (2:13)

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Player Stats
QB Jamerson Hook (R-Fr): 31-41, 304 yards, sacked 8 times
QB Skyler Williams (R-Soph): 28-40, 250 yards, TD, 5 carries, 36 yards, 2 TD

HB Corey Landers (R-Sr): 16 carries, 37 yards, fumble (lost)
HB Kam Davis (Sr): 15 carries, 99 yards, TD
HB Jamarice Wilder (R-Soph): 8 carries, 52 yards
HB Greg Burrell (R-Soph): 6 carries, 18 yards, TD, 5 receptions, 24 yards

WR Kona Mauga (R-Fr): 12 receptions, 143 yards
WR Tank Hawkins (Sr): 5 receptions, 41 yards
TE Tyrone Hoyt (Soph): 6 receptions, 55 yards, TD)
WR Corri Milliner (R-Sr): 4 receptions, 22 yards
WR Cam'ron Lacy (R-Sr): 2 receptions, 50 yards

LB Devin Robinson (R-Sr): 8 tackles, 3 TFL
DT Eric Etienne (Sr): 6 tackles, 3 TFL
LB Myles Graham (Sr): 15 tackles, 7 TFL, 3.5 sacks
LB Jameer Green (R-Sr): 6 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
EDGE Jaxon Howard (R-Sr): 2 tackles, 2 TFL, 1.5 sacks

[redsox907]

Owls don't give a HOOT

may be early but I'm saying print the shirts - C-Usa Champs

[Captain Canada]

4 tuds on the ground, defense pitching a shutout? A beautiful sight.

[YaBoyRobRoy]

Got them boys HOOTIN right along. Great year so far keep it up

[djp73]

WKU not going to forget that last td