In a thrilling Wednesday night matchup, Kennesaw State Owls pulled off a stunning 27-24 victory over the Liberty Flames, handing Liberty their first loss of the season. This monumental win marked Kennesaw State’s first-ever FBS victory and ended Liberty’s 17-game regular-season winning streak. The Owls, who had struggled throughout the season with a 1-6 record, finally found their stride in Conference USA, making a powerful statement in their historic upset.
Key Plays: Bryson, Benefield, and Ashley Lead the Way
Davis Bryson threw for a crucial touchdown, while Michael Benefield and Qua Ashley added rushing scores that kept Kennesaw State in the driver’s seat. Bryson’s poise under pressure was evident as he led a key drive in the fourth quarter, completing passes to Christian Moss and Blake Bohannon to get deep into Liberty territory. This ultimately set up a field goal by Austin Welch, securing a 10-point lead with just over four minutes remaining.
Liberty responded with a late touchdown, bringing the game to within three points. However, Kennesaw State’s defense stood tall when it mattered most. After recovering an onside kick, the Owls stalled, but left Liberty only six seconds on the clock. A fumbled lateral play ended any hope for the Flames, and the Owls celebrated their first victory over an FBS opponent.
- Kennesaw State Key Stats:
- Davis Bryson: 1 touchdown pass
- Michael Benefield: 1 rushing touchdown
- Austin Welch: 42-yard field goal (11th consecutive)
- Qua Ashley: 1 rushing touchdown
- Liberty Key Stats:
- Kaidon Salter: 206 passing yards, 3 touchdowns
- Longest active win streak snapped at 17 games
A Historic Win for Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State had struggled mightily in FBS competition, entering the game 0-10 against FBS teams in school history. Their only previous wins this season came against non-FBS opponents, making Wednesday’s win a turning point for the program. It was their first victory over a Division I team since defeating UT Martin in 2022. The win over Liberty also marks their first success in Conference USA after two earlier losses.
According to ESPN research, this upset is one of only six instances in the AP poll era where a team with a record of 0-5 or worse has defeated a team with a 5-0 or better record. The last time this happened was in 2001, when North Texas stunned Middle Tennessee. The significance of this victory for Kennesaw State is not lost on the program’s fans, who have watched the team struggle this season but showed up to witness history.
Liberty’s Winning Streak Snapped: Flames Falter at Key Moments
For Liberty, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. They entered the game as one of only 11 remaining unbeaten teams in FBS, and their 17-game regular-season win streak was the longest in the country. Despite three touchdowns from quarterback Kaidon Salter, costly mistakes doomed the Flames. A key false start on fourth-and-6 in the fourth quarter knocked them out of field-goal range, and Kennesaw State’s defense forced Salter into an incomplete pass.
Liberty’s late touchdown narrowed the deficit to 27-24, but their attempt at an onside kick failed, allowing Kennesaw State to maintain control. Even with one last chance, Salter’s desperation heave fell short, and the Flames fumbled on a lateral play to end the game. For Liberty, the loss serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of college football.
