Kennesaw State at Sam Houston State, Saturday 8:30
Kennesaw State beat Samford, 28-17 in the First Round. In the Second Round, they upset #3 seed Jacksonville State, 17-7. You know, for a third year program, the Owls have got their act together. The defense shut down a very good Gamecock run game, holding them to 99 yards and less than 190 total. This is scary, when a team with the best rushing attack in the FCS can start shutting down opponent’s offenses. That makes for short games, because the Owls will play keep away and not give the ball back. This coming game will be a totally different animal.
Sam Houston State has an offense that just scored another touchdown, just kidding. Still, beating South Dakota, 54-42, maybe they did. The Bearkats defense gave up 637 yards with those 42 points. Who wins while giving up those numbers? Well, Sam Houston State does. And their offense, led by QB Jeremiah Briscoe, came back with 708 of their own! SHSU’s offense is a pseudo-video game machine. Bottom line, they don’t need the ball a lot, they score that fast.
If Kennesaw State is able to dictate tempo, they might score in the 40s. And will that be enough? Maybe. But they better bring their best defensive effort or they run the risk of a big time embarrassment. SHSU’s defense is going to see the Owls #1 rushing attack up close, so they could be in big trouble also. Getting the vibe that a pinball wizard is coming.
Projected Score: Sam Houston State 49, Kennesaw State 38
