The Big South Championship was decided between the No. 5 Kennesaw State University Owls and the No. 24 Monmouth University Hawks at the Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA. This matchup was the first time in Big South history that the two teams meeting in the championship game had an undefeated conference record in the last week of the season.
This was the seventh battle between the birds, and the Owls came out on top with a score of 49-17.
From the first play of the matchup, the Kennesaw defense came out with something to prove, and forced a 3-and-out on Monmouth’s first possession of the game. The KSU offense did not let their defense down, as they came out with a 40-yard rush by the senior running back, Irving Smith, that paved the way for a 9 yard touchdown rush by quarterback Xavier Shepherd. Throughout the first quarter, the Hawks proved to be ineffective at putting points on the board, as they ended the first quarter without scoring. This was not a problem for the Owls, as they scored once more before the first quarter ended. The 61 yard touchdown run by KSU Running Back Adeolu Adeleke, KSU , was scored with 21 seconds left
KSU did not let up on the rest of the half, as Shepherd added a pair of second quarter touchdowns..Monmouth first put points on the board after a 91 yard kickoff return into the end zone by Lonnie Moore IV. to answer the previous touchdown by KSU’s Shepherd. After going back and forth, the two teams went on halftime break with a 28-10, Kennesaw State lead.
The third quarter consisted of the Owl’s defense holding the Hawks to only 44 total yards. While the Owls’offensive tacked on two more touchdowns. The Monmouth defense just could not stop the rush-heavy Kennesaw offense , that gained 471 yards on the ground.
Both teams scored once more in the final quarter of the game. KSU scored on a 48 yard catch by Carter Pinholster , and this put a finish to the game, and Monmouth’s undefeated streak.
Kennesaw State University is the Big South football champion in their final season in this conference, as they will be moving to the ASUN conference. This win over Monmouth was the first time in KSU history to have a conference streak of 7-0. The Owls anticipate beinge one of the 24 teams entering the FCS Playoffs. The bracket will be announced on November 21, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. EST.