Front Porch Football

Kennesaw State at Wofford Preview

by Joe James

On a rainy December evening in Kennesaw last year, Justin Thompson kicked a 30 yard field goal to put the Kennesaw State Owls into the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) quarterfinals for a second consecutive year. The fourth year program vanquished the stalwart playoff program Wofford in a game defined by defense and mistakes.

Each team had season lows in rushing and total offense, while converting on less than one-third of all third down attempts. Over 20 percent of each team’s yardage occurred on 50-yard touchdown plays. Neither team found the endzone a second time. The game may have continued into overtime, had Kennesaw State’s Anthony Gore not forced a fumble while sacking Wofford’s Joe Newman inside the Terrier 25 yard line. From there, the Owls only needed 8 yards to set up Thompson’s kick, putting the Terriers away.

But this would not be the final chapter in a budding rivalry, but perhaps just the introduction. Wofford will host Kennesaw State this Saturday, December 30, at 4PM in the opening round of the FCS playoffs.

Since last year, both teams have graduated players, some have had coaches depart, and some schemes have changed. Front Porch Football previewed the matchup (link), and though you could change a few names, correct for some yardage, the matchup is for all intents and purposes the same. Both teams like to run the football, especially with the option. Both teams play tough defense. Both teams are winners and want to elevate themselves to the next level and continue to compete for an FCS national championship.

But the keys to this game won’t be found in that continuity. The changes in details will make the difference.

Season Review: Kennesaw State