CUSA Football: Get To Know The Kennesaw State Owls

The newest member of Conference USA are the Kennesaw State Owls, who finished their final FCS season with a 3-6 record in 2023 under head coach Brian Bohannon.

© Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The newest member of Conference USA are the Kennesaw State Owls, who finished their final FCS season with a 3-6 record in 2023 under head coach Brian Bohannon. Here's the essential information about the only new FBS team for the 2024 season.

The Coach

Bohannon was hired in 2013 to be the program's first head coach and the Owls played their first season in 2015. Bohannon turned the Owls into one of the better FCS teams in college football over the last decade. He has a 71-30 record with three Big South championships and four double-digit win seasons.

The QB

Jonathan Murphy had a fantastic career as Kennesaw State's quarterback, but he's played his last game for the Owls. The Owls have four other quarterbacks on the roster. The only one beside Murphy who threw a pass in 2023 was rising junior Davis Bryson.

Kennesaw State's offense looks similar to what we saw from New Mexico State and Jacksonville State in 2023 with the dual-threat quarterback that relies a lot more on his legs than arm. In 2023, Murphy led the Owls with 584 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

The Offense

Just like the JSU Gamecocks, but most notably the NMSU Aggies, the Owls need to have a WR1. For the Gamecocks it was Perry Carter and for the Aggies it was Jonathan Brady. Kennesaw State had running back Gabriel Benyard who hauled in 14 receptions for 333 yards and four touchdowns.

This cycle, the Owls brought in former Virginia Tech wide receiver Christian Moss, who would be an understandable top target in 2024.

🙏🏾 https://t.co/yvgO6qUO2o

— Christian Moss (@cmossy_1) July 23, 2023

The Defense

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive back Deontre Morris stood out as he led the Owls in total tackles with 48 along with 32 solo tackles.

The linebacker corps struggled for Kennesaw State this season, with the leading linebacker in total tackles being Donelius Johnson. Johnson posted 40 total tackles along with 21 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks.

The Next Chapter

The Owls will kick off their first-ever game as an FBS team against the UTSA Roadrunners on August 31. That will be followed by dates with theLouisiana Ragin' Cajuns, San Jose Spartans and the UT Martin Skyhawks.