Preview: Q&A with Sentinel Sports Editor Kai Millette

Tuesday, October 15

Murfreesboro, TN

7:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Kennesaw State

10/14/2024 5:19:00 PM | Football

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The KSU Student Paper Sports editor chats about the Owls’ first year in Conference USA

By: Sam Doughton, MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The benefit, to the extent that there is one beyond media exposure, of midweek Conference USA football play is this: there's no time to dwell on a loss. You have to move on to your next game quickly to even have a chance to get a win in your next contest.

It's a mentality that both Middle Tennessee (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) and Kennesaw State (0-5, 0-1 CUSA) are bringing into this Tuesday's matchup in Floyd Stadium, set for a 7 p.m. kickoff on CBS Sports Network.

"Kennesaw State is a football team much like ourselves," head coach Derek Mason said at his Monday press conference, acknowledging both teams are searching for their first CUSA (and FBS, for that matter) wins of the season this week. Though the Owls, by virtue of their loss to FCS team UT Martin earlier this season, are looking for their first win period.

Conference USA's latest call-up from the FCS ranks, Kennesaw State found a lot of success under current Head Coach Brian Bohannon, who has been the program's only head coach since its founding in 2013, though the Owls didn't start playing games until the 2015 season. Bohannon won three conference titles in the Big South and even made back-to-back FCS playoff quarterfinal appearances in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, but a move away from the program's Flexbone triple option roots in their FBS transition has proven challenging for Kennesaw State. The Owls rank last in Conference USA with a scoring average of 14.6 points per game, the third worst among all FBS teams this season.

To be sure, the program still leans heavily on its option game, but it's done more out of pistol formations than the traditional under center look practiced by the U.S. service academies or the Paul Johnson-era Georgia Tech teams, where Bohannon started his coaching career.

"Keys and reads, discipline, just playing your technique, doing your job," defensive end Brandon Buckner said were the keys to slowing down the option game. "Don't try to make plays. If you have the pitch, you have the pitch. If you have the dive, you have the dive."

While the defense and special teams for the Owls have been, comparatively, the highlights of the Owls season, Kennesaw State is still allowing 36 points per game, just outside the bottom 10 of all FBS defenses, but still better than the Blue Raiders' mark of 40.5 points per game given up. The focus for the MTSU offense this week, as always, is on itself.

"We know that Kennesaw State has very good players on defense that can make plays, that can run sideline-to-sideline, that can impact players in a ball game," quarterback Nicholas Vattiato said. "But at the end of the day, we have to have the mindset that if we're going out there, if we're prepared, if we're doing our job to the best of our ability and we're working as a unit that nothing is going to keep us from doing what we want to do."

To learn more about the Owls, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton sat down with Kai Millette, the Sports Editor for the Sentinel, Kennesaw State's student newspaper. Millette also covers the Owls through his podcast, the Owl Chat. The pair discussed Kennesaw State's rough transition to FBS football, the program's triple option roots, some individual players that have shined amid the adversity and keys for the Tuesday night matchup.

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1. Kennesaw State, like many teams making the FCS-to-FBS transition, have struggled mightily in Year 1 of FBS Football, failing to win a game so far in 2024. Acknowledging there's myriad issues with the Owls so far, what do you think has been the biggest problem for the team around halfway through the season?

It is difficult to pick one thing to highlight as the biggest issue, but the best I can do is say the offense's continued struggle to transition from a triple option offense to the pistol. Three offensive coordinators in three years haven't helped, but the deeper they've gotten into this process, the fewer excuses can be made.

2. Brian Bohannon made multiple FCS quarterfinal appearances since helping start the program in 2013 on the backs of a traditional flexbone triple option offense, one Bohannon learned as an assistant under Paul Johnson. But in 2024, the Owls are averaging just 2.5 yards per rush. While I know Bohannon has kept some of the program's triple option roots in place, just in a scheme with more typical formations, why has the running game struggled so much this season?

It's pointing out the obvious, but for a majority of the year run-blocking has been a rough watch. Many of the personnel on the offensive front are still FCS-level talent and size and they've shown it. What's disappointing about it is KSU has a talented group of running backs who are yet to showcase what they can do.

3. On paper at least, the front seven for the Kennesaw defense has caused problems for opposing offenses, particularly linebacker Donelius Johnson and defensive lineman Jordan Miles. How would you describe each of their play styles and what do the Owls need to do to put them in the best position to create havoc in the backfield like they did early this season?

Donelius is a ballhawk who's had a break-out first five games of the season. He's great laterally and has had success blitzing. I would love to see (the Owls) dialing up more pressure to get him more looks at the quarterback. Jordan has been an important part of KSU's only middle-of-the-pack unit, its defensive front. He's got a solid build for an edge rusher but like the rest of the unit, missed tackles leave more to be desired.

4. The special teams have been a bright spot for Kennesaw State so far in 2024, both in the punting game (Jacob Ulrich is averaging over 46 yards per punt with seven punts over 50 yards) and in the kick return game (Qua Ashley most notably with a 93-yard return against Jax State last week). How much of a weapon is Ulrich in the field position battle and how does Ashley work together with Tykeem Wallace to pose a home run threat as a returner?

Ulrich has a power four/five leg. When he's composed, he's one of the best in the conference. When he's under constant duress, he shows his nerves. As for the kick returners, Tykeem Wallace has Olympian-type speed but is also one of the lightest athletes on the field on any given play. If you can get a finger on him he goes down real easily. Ashley is shifty and has great vision. It was good to see him put the world on notice with the touchdown against Jacksonville State. Throw in kicker Austin Welch who is still perfect on the year, and special teams is KSU's clear cut strongest unit.

5. With Kennesaw State missing New Mexico State in this year's CUSA rotation, MTSU might be one of their final chances at a win in 2024. What do you think will be some keys for the Owls to be able to get a road win?

Despite MTSU's struggles this year, I still think KSU is a heavy underdog in any CUSA game. To have a chance in this one, the Owls will need to force multiple turnovers, win time of possession, and come out of the game with a clear-cut starting quarterback after Bohannon announced Davis Bryson lost the starting job.