Kennesaw State Owls Makes History with First Bowl Game Appearance

Kennesaw State University’s football program has reached a major milestone, earning its first bowl game invitation in school history. Less than a decade after launching the program and only two years after moving to the FBS level, the Owls finished their 2025 season with a spot in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

The Owls finished 10-3 under first-year head coach Jerry Mack, winning the Conference USA Championship in dramatic fashion with a last-minute touchdown against Jacksonville State. The victory, combined with six wins needed for eligibility, secured KSU’s first-ever bowl berth.

Under first-year head coach Jerry Mack, the Owls rallied from a 2–10 record last season to finish 2025 at 10–3 overall, 7-1 in conference play. In the 2025 Conference USA Football Championship Game, Kennesaw State faced the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, a rematch of a regular-season loss. The Owls held a 12-0 lead through three quarters. In the 4th quarter, Jacksonville State rallied to take a 15-12 lead. With under a minute remaining, Owls quarterback Amari Odom orchestrated a clutch drive capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Navelle Dean, sealing a dramatic 19-15 victory.

The win not only delivered their first-ever Conference USA title but also laid the groundwork for their first bowl appearance. That kind of dramatic finish, a mix of grit, poise, and belief, captured the attention of fans beyond Kennesaw and set the tone for the next chapter.

Kennesaw State will face Western Michigan on December 19 at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. The game will air nationally on ESPN, giving the rapidly rising program its biggest stage yet.

For the university, the players, and its fans, this bowl appearance marks the beginning of a new era, one that proves KSU is ready to compete at the highest level of college football.