*Preview courtesy Libertine on AGS
In only their first year of existence, head coach Brian Bohannon’s Owls turned out to be exactly who we thought they were. Behind a triple-option attack run by The Citadel transfer, QB Trey White, KSU easily handled their early “starter” opponents and were 4-1 with the only loss coming at eventual PFL champ Dayton when they met Gardner-Webb for their first-ever Big South conference matchup. Despite rolling up 350 yards of offense on the day, KSU could not get into the end zone and, even though they won the day 12-7, the physical toll of the season on the Owls very young team was beginning to show. They picked up another conference win at home against Monmouth but injuries and the inexperience of youth took their toll down the stretch. KSU lost four of their last five with only the season-ending at Presbyterian representing anything resembling a close game. Still, for a first-year program, the Owls performed well and should feel good about the upcoming season.
The good thing about having a ridiculously young team is that you pretty much bring everybody back the next year and Kennesaw is no exception. Graduation and attrition took a couple of guys off of the depth chart for 2016 but every single offensive starter and nearly every player on the offensive two-deep comes back. The shoulder injury that ended White’s season in 2015 seems to have healed and he returns for his redshirt senior season with what must be a sense of urgency for both he and the team. The Owls need White to survive if they want to achieve this season. Last year’s backup QB, Jake McKenzie, proved to be a capable athlete but he isn’t the dynamic on-field presence that White is. McKenzie has now changed positions and exited spring practice as the starting B-back for the Owls.
Defensively, the picture isn’t quite as rosy for Kennesaw but it’s far from bleak. Last year, the Owls ran an aggressive scheme that capitalized on their young players’ athleticism and energy. It was fun to watch and, I’m sure, fun to play in but, at the same time, tended to give up more than a fair share of big plays. It will be interesting to see if Bohannon and defensive coordinator Brian Newberry keep the same focus as their roster matures. DT Nick Perrotta proved to be a significant presence up front and should provide some needed leadership there in his redshirt senior season. The Owls lost both starting ends on the defensive line as well as their starting Mike linebacker and starting field cornerback as well as a handful of depth players scattered across the defensive depth chart. These personnel losses aren’t extraordinary but a young team trying to build experience can’t afford to lose much.
On special teams, KSU lost a lot in the off-season. Primary kicker Justin Thompson had a decent year putting the ball through the uprights and he returns for 2016 but he appears to be the exception to the unit. The punter from last season is off of the current roster and Thompson appears to have been handed those duties. Further, the long snapper and primary kick returner from 2015 are gone as well. There is no word yet on whether or not Thompson will have to take over those jobs also.
The schedule:
East Tennessee State (9/3)
Point (9/10)
@ Duquesne (9/24)
@ Furman (10/1)
Missouri S&T (10/8)
Liberty (10/15)
Gardner-Webb (10/22)
@ Monmouth (10/29)
Clark-Atlanta (11/5)
Presbyterian (11/12)
@ Charleston Southern (11/19)
