The Sports Inquirer

Release from Kennesaw State Athletics:

When Kennesaw State played its Big South Conference opener against Gardner-Webb Saturday (Oct. 17) at Fifth Third Bank Stadium it was going to be historic regardless of the outcome.

Just the fact that the Owls (5-1, 1-0) are playing their inaugural season and first conference game had historic significance. And when defensive lineman Nick Perrotta intercepted a pass near the KSU goal line with under :10 remaining to preserve a 12-7 victory, more history was made.

It marked the first time in Big South Conference history, excluding its first year of 2002, that a newcomer to the conference won its first league game played.

Leading the way was junior quarterback Trey White, a dominating defense and freshman placekicker Justin Thompson, who tied a Big South Conference single-game record with four field goals.

Thompson and the KSU offense answered a Gardner-Webb touchdown with 5:33 remaining with a 31-yard field goal with 1:44 left on the clock that gave the Owls a 12-7 lead.

Following the ensuing kickoff, the Runnin’ Bulldogs (2-4, 1-1) took over at their own 40-yard line with 1:40 remaining and drove down to the Kennesaw State 4-yard where they faced a fourth-and-goal with :07 remaining.

Needing a touchdown to win the game, Gardner-Webb quarterback Tyrell Maxwell dropped back, and under pressure, threw a pass toward the end zone that was intercepted by Perrotta that preserved a hard-fought victory and improved the Owls to 4-0 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Defense and a ball-control offense keyed the victory as Kennesaw State held Gardner-Webb to 200 total yards (66 after three quarters) and the Owls consumed over 38 minutes of the clock.

White engineered an offense that amassed 353 total yards, 170 of which came way of his running and established a single-game team high. He also threw for 114 yards, including a big 39-yard pass to wide receiver Justin Sumpter late in the fourth quarter that set up the Owls’ final field goal.

Kennesaw State had 10 drives in the game, four of which included 10 or more plays, including a 19-play, 83-yard drive and took10:56 off the clock. The Owls held the ball for more than 12 minutes in the third quarter.

Junior safety Derrick Farrow led the Kennesaw State defense with seven solo tackles, while linebackers Dez Billingslea and Izzy Sam recorded sacks.