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The 12 Defining Moments: Kennesaw State Football’s Historic 2024 Inaugural FBS Season Recap

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The Kennesaw State Owls’ 2024 football season will forever be etched in the program’s history books, not just for the final 2-10 record, but as the year the university officially transitioned to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and joined Conference USA (CUSA). As of today, December 19, 2025, the 2024 campaign is viewed as a foundational, yet turbulent, year marked by a massive upset victory, a mid-season coaching change, and the challenging realities of moving to the highest level of college football.

This article provides a deep dive and definitive recap of the Kennesaw State football schedule for 2024, highlighting the key games, coaching developments, and standout players who navigated the program's first-ever FBS season. The 12-game slate was a trial by fire, setting the stage for the Owls' future in CUSA.

The Kennesaw State 2024 Football Schedule: A Game-by-Game Review

The 2024 schedule was designed to test the Owls immediately, featuring a mix of established FBS programs and their new Conference USA rivals. The team finished with an overall record of 2-10, with both victories coming in CUSA play (2-6 conference record). The season was split between two head coaches: program founder Brian Bohannon (1-8) and interim coach Chandler Burks (1-2).

  • Aug 31: at UTSA Roadrunners - Loss (16-28)

    • The season opener was a baptism by fire against the UTSA Roadrunners, a strong American Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent. The Owls showed flashes of competitiveness but ultimately fell short in their first FBS contest.

  • Sep 7: vs. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns - Loss (10-34)

    • The home opener at Fifth Third Stadium saw the Owls face another formidable Sun Belt Conference opponent, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, resulting in a decisive loss.

  • Sep 14: at San Jose State Spartans - Loss (10-31)

    • A second consecutive non-conference road loss against the Mountain West's San Jose State Spartans continued the challenging start to the year.

  • Sep 28: vs. UT Martin Skyhawks - Loss (24-34)

    • In a non-conference matchup that served as Homecoming, the Owls faced the FCS UT Martin Skyhawks, suffering a disappointing loss.

  • Oct 4: vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks* - Loss (24-63)

    • The Conference USA opener was a tough one against a fellow transition team, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, who handed KSU a heavy defeat.

  • Oct 15: at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (MTSU)* - Loss (5-14)

    • A close, defensive battle on the road against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders showed the Owls' potential for grit, but they couldn't secure the win.

  • Oct 23: vs. Liberty Flames* - WIN (27-24)

    • This game became the most historic victory in Kennesaw State football history. The Owls staged a massive upset, defeating the undefeated and nationally-ranked Liberty Flames (who were 7-0 at the time) for the program's first-ever FBS victory. This win, a true shocker in college football, was the highlight of the season.

  • Oct 30: at UTEP Miners* - Loss (14-27)

    • Following the emotional high of the Liberty upset, the Owls traveled to El Paso, falling to the UTEP Miners.

  • Nov 9: at New Mexico State Aggies* - Loss (13-34)

    • This loss to the New Mexico State Aggies marked the end of an era, as Head Coach Brian Bohannon stepped down the following day.

  • Nov 16: vs. Sam Houston Bearkats* - Loss (10-31)

    • The first game under interim coach Chandler Burks was a loss to the Sam Houston Bearkats, a fellow CUSA newcomer.

  • Nov 23: vs. FIU Panthers* - WIN (27-26)

    • Interim Coach Chandler Burks secured his first win in a thrilling comeback over the FIU Panthers in the final home game of the season, a crucial victory that demonstrated the team's fight.

  • Nov 30: at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers* - Loss (17-38)

    • The season concluded with a road loss to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, finalizing the Owls' inaugural FBS record at 2-10.

The Coaching Carousel: Bohannon's Legacy and Burks' Interim Stint

The biggest off-field story of the 2024 Kennesaw State football season was the mid-season coaching change. This development underscored the difficulty of the FBS transition and the high expectations for the program.

Brian Bohannon: The Founding Father's Farewell

Brian Bohannon, the only head football coach Kennesaw State had ever known since the program's inception in 2013, finished his final season with a 1-8 record. Bohannon built the program from the ground up, leading the Owls to a remarkable 72-38 record and multiple FCS Playoff appearances. However, the move to FBS proved to be a challenging hurdle. After the loss to New Mexico State, Bohannon stepped down on November 10, 2024, concluding a momentous 10-year tenure.

Chandler Burks: The Interim Era

Co-offensive coordinator Chandler Burks, a former KSU quarterback and a respected figure within the program, was immediately named the interim head coach for the final three games. Burks' short stint provided a spark, as he led the team to a 1-2 record, securing a dramatic 27-26 comeback victory over FIU. His leadership in the final weeks was a positive note amidst the coaching transition, providing a glimpse of the team's resilience.

Topical Authority: Key Players and Statistical Leaders

Despite the overall record, several Kennesaw State players emerged as key contributors, establishing themselves as foundational entities for the program's future in Conference USA. Their performances during the challenging 2024 schedule were crucial in maintaining the team's competitiveness.

  • Davis Bryson (Quarterback): Bryson emerged as the team's leading passer, throwing for over 1,084 yards. His development was key as the Owls adapted their run-heavy offense to the demands of FBS passing attacks.
  • Michael Benefield (Running Back): Benefield was the team's leading rusher, accounting for 425 yards, embodying the physical, ground-and-pound style Kennesaw State football is known for.
  • Qua Ashley (Wide Receiver/Running Back): A versatile offensive weapon, Ashley was a significant contributor in both the running and passing games, racking up over 208 receiving yards.
  • Donelius Johnson (Linebacker): Identified as a top defensive player, Johnson was a key leader on the defensive side of the ball, representing the unit's tenacity despite facing high-powered FBS offenses.
  • Gabriel Benyard (Wide Receiver): Benyard was another key receiving threat, providing important production in the passing game as the Owls sought offensive balance.

The Historic Significance of the 2024 Season

The Kennesaw State football schedule for 2024 will not be remembered for its win-loss record, but for its historical significance. The season was a crucial step in the program's evolution, demonstrating that the Owls could compete at the FBS level.

The upset victory over Liberty was a statement game, proving that KSU belonged in the FBS. It provided immediate validation to the university's decision to move up and gave the players a moment of national recognition. The win was a powerful demonstration of the team's potential to shock the college football world.

Furthermore, the challenging schedule and the subsequent coaching transition have laid the groundwork for future success. The experience gained against opponents like UTSA, Louisiana, and the tough CUSA slate will be invaluable for the returning players. The 2024 season was the necessary "growing pains" year, setting a new baseline for the Kennesaw State Owls program in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The resilience shown in the comeback win over FIU under interim coach Chandler Burks confirmed the fighting spirit of the team.

The 12 Defining Moments: Kennesaw State Football’s Historic 2024 Inaugural FBS Season Recap
kennesaw state football schedule 2024
kennesaw state football schedule 2024

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