JOURNAL SPORTS
ATLANTA – After winning just two games a year ago, Kennesaw State is looking for its fourth victory in a row when the Owls host Louisiana Tech Thursday night.
Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (CT) at Fifth Third Stadium and the game can be seen on ESPNU.
Under the direction of first year head coach Jerry Mack, the Owls (3-2, 1-0 CUSA) have rattled off three straight wins after dropping their first two contests of the season.
“Kennesaw is a really good football team about to play their fourth straight home game,” said Cumbie. “They have won three in a row at home and are going for their fourth straight at home. Coach Jerry Mack has done a great job with that program.”
The Owls are coming off a 24-16 win over Middle Tennessee in their last outing behind a 162-yard, 2-touchdown performance from quarterback Amari Odom. A multi-versatile QB, Odom has thrown for 754 yards and four scores and rushed for another 162 yards and two more TDs.
“When you watch them on film, they have wide splits and they play with tempo,” said Cumbie. “Their QB is very elusive. I think he throws the deep ball with great accuracy. I think he is very poised. He makes a lot of plays with his feet in the running game.
“We have to tackle well. We have to play great defense in space. It will be a great challenge for us on defense.”
The Owls will face a Bulldog defense that ranks among the nation’s best statistically. Tech recorded five interceptions (most since 2007) in it’s 30-11 win over UTEP in its last outing and leads the country with five defensive touchdowns (3 interceptions, 2 fumble returns).
Tech (4-1, 2-0 CUSA) is allowing just 13.6 points per game, the only team in CUSA allowing fewer than 20. The Bulldogs also lead the country with 11 interceptions.
“We play a really strong opponent this week in Louisiana Tech,” said Kennesaw State HC Jerry Mack. “It starts with their defense. They have one of the top defenses in the nation right now and definitely within Conference USA. The way they are creating turnovers is like something I’ve never seen before. They are well-coached, and they are in the right place at the right time. They take advantage of every opportunity.”
Offensively, Tech has struggled with consistency at times this year. The Bulldogs will face a Kennesaw State defensive unit that is allowing over 400 yards and 23 points per game, although the Owls have limited their last three opponents to just 50 total points.
“They are a group that plays great defense together,” said Cumbie. “They fly to the football. They are very physical. They have a lot of athleticism.”
Tech leads the all-time series 1-0 after its 33-0 victory in Ruston last year.
