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Owls Make History at SunTrust Park in 5 OT Thriller

December 6, 2018

KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal with his wife Sandra, left, and KSU Associate Vice President for Government Relations Julia Ayers.

In the first ever football game at SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, two top 10 FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) programs battled in a game for the ages as Kennesaw State University (KSU) claimed a 60-52 victory over Jacksonville State University (JSU) in five overtimes.

The thriller ended after Marietta native Bryson Armstrong intercepted a pass in the end zone from JSU quarterback Zerrick Cooper.

“This was probably the most exciting football game I have ever been a part of in my coaching career,” said KSU head coach Brian Bohannon. “Two really good football teams left every ounce of what they had on the grass.”

The teams matched each other step for step in the first four overtimes, more than doubling the score total from regulation. KSU scored late in the fourth quarter to send the contest to overtime off a touchdown from quarterback Chandler Burks from a yard out, followed by the extra point from Justin Thompson to tie things up at 24-24 with 4:52 to go.

“I came here to be able to be on a stage like this that provides me the opportunity to play big-time football,” Burks said. “It just adds to the greatness and excitement that’s around Kennesaw State.”

The Owls and Gamecocks already had claimed their respective conference championship titles for the season, earning both teams an automatic bid into the FCS playoffs. However, the SunTrust game carried the weight of the winner being selected as a seeded team in the postseason. With the win, Kennesaw State became the No. 4 seed in the FCS playoffs, earning a first-round bye in the tournament.

– Katie Beall, editor of Around Acworth.

KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
KSU student section cheering on the Owls.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
The Marching Owls Marching Band pregame.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Fans line walkways in the Battery two-hours before kickoff to welcome the team to the stadium for the Owl Walk.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
KSU head coach Brian Bohannon hyping the team up before taking the field.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Graduate student wide receiver Xavier Harper with his family on the field pregame.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
KSU Mascot, Scrappy, in the Battery pregame.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Fans line walkways in the Battery two-hours before kickoff to welcome the team to the stadium for the Owl Walk.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Kennesaw native and junior defensive back Tanner Jones carrying the Turnover Plank through the Battery during the Owl Walk.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
KSU student section cheering on the Owls.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Senior running back Darnell Holland, high-fiving fans during the Owl Walk.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Fans line walkways in the Battery two-hours before kickoff to welcome the team to the stadium for the Owl Walk.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
KSU cheerleaders during the Owl Walk in the Battery.

 

KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Postgame celebration after the Owls beat Jacksonville State 60-52 in five overtimes.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Kennesaw native and junior defensive back Tanner Jones celebrating the win with the KSU student section and the Turnover Plank in hand.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
KSU student section cheering on the Owls.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Freshman defensive back Cincere Mason celebrating with the Turnover Plank after intercepting a pass.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
KSU sideline celebrating a touchdown during one of the many overtimes.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Graduate student quarterback and South Paulding High graduate Chandler Burks looking to throw.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Young family enjoying the game.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Atlanta Braves President & CEO Derek Shiller, KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten and Braves Development Company President & CEO Mike Plant.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Molly Parker putting up her owl eyes in the Delta Club seats during the game.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
Fan zone area in the Battery outside of the stadium.
KSU SunTrust Park around acworth
SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, hosting its first football game. Photos courtesy of KSU Athletic Communications.

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