December 4, 2025

In This Issue 

Kennesaw State Owls Campus Sports

Along with News from the

Conference USA (C-USA)

Kennesaw State In A Rematch At Jax State In Friday’s

CUSA Championship Game 

Kennesaw State Owls (9-3, 7-1 CUSA) @ Jacksonville State Gamecocks 
(8-4, 7-1 CUSA)

Date: Friday, December 5

Site: @ AmFirst Stadium,

Jacksonville, Alabama



Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

TV: CBS Sports Network - Click Here

• Play-by-Play: Rich Waltz

• Analyst: Robert Turbin

• Sideline Reporter: Jordan Giorgio

Radio: KSU Owls Network
• Play-by-Play: Nolan Alexander

• Analyst: Caleb O’Neal

• Sideline Reporter: Brandon Sutton

Mobile Apps: KSU Owls App,

• Online: KSUOwls.com

• Satellite: SiriusXM Ch. 201, 963

KSU Preview: Click Here

Jax State Preview: Click Here

Kennesaw State Sports: Click Here

KSU Game Notes: Click Here

Jax State Game Notes: Click Here

CUSA Weekly Release - Click Here

Football Atlanta: Click Here

By Don Stone, KennesawStateSports.com

>>A year removed from a 2–10 season and only weeks removed from a painful loss in this same stadium, Kennesaw State (9-3, 7-1 CUSA) will walk back into Burgess–Snow Field on Friday night with a Conference USA championship on the line and a chance at redemption against Jax State (8-4, 7-1).

>>Head coach Jerry Mack, who has engineered one of the country’s quickest turnarounds in his first season, hasn’t let his team forget the 35–26 defeat the Owls suffered at Jax State in mid-November. In that game, Kennesaw State rolled up big yardage but was undone by turnovers and a Hail Mary allowed just before halftime.

>>Mack has framed the rematch as both a reward and a test. He has repeatedly said this week that championships are “about correcting the details that beat you the first time — ball security, red-zone execution, and situational football,” and that his team “did enough to move the ball, but not enough to finish drives” in the earlier loss.

>>Much of the spotlight will fall on quarterback Amari Odom, whose breakout season has powered Kennesaw State’s climb into the title game. Odom has shown he can hurt defenses with both his arm and his legs, guiding an offense that has been one of Conference USA’s most explosive over the last month.

>>After the Owls’ double-overtime win at Liberty to clinch their spot in the championship, Mack praised his quarterback’s poise, saying Odom “played like a champion when it counted” and gave the entire sideline confidence in tight moments. For Friday, the message from the staff has been for Odom to play aggressively but protect the ball after interceptions swung the momentum in the first meeting.



Click Here For The Full Story

Watch Head Coach Jerry Mack's Weekly Press Conference Previewing Conference USA Championship at Jax State

>>“We pulled off a big win at Liberty, no question,” Mack said. “Our guys fought hard, and Amari [Odom] played like a champion when it counted.” But Mack was quick to shift focus, “This is just a step. We know Jacksonville State is a completely different opponent—champion caliber—and we have to be at our best.”

>>“Coach Kelly’s defense is tough, physical, and well-coached. They’ve been a key part of why Jacksonville State has been so successful these past few seasons.” Kelly, a respected coach with a strong defensive pedigree, has the Gamecocks running an aggressive scheme that demands precision and discipline from offenses.

>>“Playing against them is going to be a real test for us, especially after the last meeting,” Mack said, referencing the November 15 loss to Jacksonville State. “They’re fast, aggressive, and opportunistic. We have to correct the mistakes we made and play clean football.”

>>“It comes down to securing the football, success in the red zone, and making plays on third down. Coach Kelly’s defense pressures everything, and we know we have to be sharp.”

>>He reflected on the program’s rapid rise: “From 2-10 last season to playing for a Conference USA title in just one year—that’s something special. But there’s no celebrations yet. We’re focused on Friday. It’s about ending the season with a trophy.”



Click Here To Watch

The Full Press Conference

Jax State Head Coach Charles Kelly's Press Conference Previewing Kennesaw State

>>“We took a big step with the win over Western Kentucky, but we know the job isn’t finished,” Kelly said. “This championship game is what we’ve worked all season for, and it’s going to be a tough test against a very good Kennesaw State team led by coach Jerry Mack.”

>>He praised Mack, saying, “Coach Mack has done an incredible job turning around that program. They’ve got a balanced offense led by an exceptional quarterback in Amari Odom, and their defense has been stingy. We respect them a lot.”

>>Kelly acknowledged the progress of the Owls under Mack’s leadership: “Jerry’s culture, toughness, and attention to detail are evident every time they take the field. We saw that firsthand earlier this season. They play smart, physical football and will push us to our limits.”

>>Reflecting on the tight win over Western Kentucky that secured their spot at home for the title game, Kelly said, “That victory showed our resilience and ability to perform under pressure. It’s a great confidence booster, but we can't look back. The focus is now on getting ready and making the most of this opportunity.”

Click Here To Watch Full Presser

Cottle, Sherman Lead Owls Men's Hoops Past Jackson State

>>Kennesaw State used a huge first-half run and a 28-point performance from Simeon Cottle (current CUSA Player of the Week) to claim an 88-73 victory over Jackson State on Tuesday night from VyStar Arena. The Owls moved to 6-2 on the season with the victory. Cott

>>KSU dominated the boards, with a 52-36 advantage, and also held a 36-16 advantage on points in the paint.

>>Junior forward Frankquon Sherman came off the bench with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for a double-double. Cottle just missed out on a second-straight 30+ point game, as he scored 28 on 9-of-19 shooting. Freshman Kaden Rickard also collected his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

>>The Owls continue their homestand when they host Georgia State on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at VyStar Arena. That will be the second game of a doubleheader, as the KSU women will host Thomas (Ga.) at 12 p.m., and both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.

>>The Panthers have just one win in 8 tries and are coming off a 78-67 loss on Monday at 6-2 Mercer. GSU had three players score in double figures, led by Jakai Newton, who had 18 points and eight rebounds. Micah Tucker tacked on 16 points and Ayouba Berthe helped out with 13 points off the bench. They haven't played a home game in a month.

Click Here For The Full Story

Track & Field Begins This Weekend

>>KSU men's and women's track and field opens the indoor campaign at the Clemson Opener on Dec. 5 and the Sharon Colyear Danville Season Opener on Dec. 6.

CONFERENCE USA FOOTBALL

This Week's Games

DECEMBER 5

(All times Eastern)

Friday, December 5

Conference USA

Championship Game
Kennesaw State at Jax State

7:00 p.m. ET (CBSSN)

C-USA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offensive Player of the Week –

Caden Creel, Jax State – R-So. – QB

Defensive Player of the Week –

Baron Hopson, Kennesaw State –

R-Sr. – LB 

Special Teams Player of the Week – Devin Gandy, LA Tech – Gr. – KR

Freshman of the Week –

Sterling Joseph, FIU – Fr. – RB

Offensive Lineman of the Week –

J.T. Pennington, KSU – R-Sr. – RG 

Conference USA Website - Click Here

Owls Prep for CUSA Championship, Rematch Friday at Jax State

>>• Kennesaw State football returns to Jacksonville for a rematch of what was one of the top conference games in the country in 2025, taking on Jax State on Friday, Dec. 5 in the 2025 Air National Guard CUSA Football Championship.

>>• Earning a berth last week, KSU is looking to capture its fourth conference championship all-time, first Conference USA title and first conference championship overall since 2021 (Big South).

>>• The Owls earn a spot in the CUSA Championship Game after they won a thrilling, double-overtime game on the road at Liberty. Kennesaw State found the end zone twice in overtime before the defense extinguished the Flames in the final drive.

>>• Separated by only 86 miles, Friday night marks the seventh all-time meeting between the two programs and the second this season.

>>• The Gamecocks got the upper hand in the first matchup, winning in a high-scoring affair, 35-26, on Nov. 15.

>>• One-score games are no stranger to the Cardiac Owls, as Kennesaw State has won five one-possession games this season, tied for most in FBS this year.

>>• In eight conference games, KSU leads the league in scoring (34.5) and is tied for second in points allowed (25.1).

>>• Kennesaw State continues to be a force in the trenches, leading Conference USA in team sacks (2.42/game), while ranking second in team tackles for loss 6.6/game), as well as sacks allowed (1.42/game).



Click Here For The Full Story

Kennesaw State Football Inks 18 For 2025 Signing Class

>>Kennesaw State football announced the addition of 18 student-athletes on Wednesday as part of the 2025 December Signing Day.

>>The 18 signees include 13 high school seniors and five junior college transfers. Fifteen signees will enroll early at Kennesaw State in January and will participate in all football-related activities.

>>"We're really excited to welcome these 18 young men to the Kennesaw State family," head coach Jerry Mack said. "This class is extremely talented and I feel really good about what these men add to our program. Our coaches did a terrific job identifying and ultimately signing this class, and I can't wait to get most of them here in January."

Click Here For The Full Story

Owls Women's Basketball Comeback Falls Short at Alabama. Hosts Thomas Saturday With New Start Time

>>Kennesaw State women's basketball fell to Alabama, 79-65, at the Coleman Coliseum. After trailing by 20 points on the road, the Owls battled back to make it a seven-point game in the fourth quarter, but couldn't break through in the end.

>>Keyarah Berry led the Owls with 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Shania Nichols was right behind her, scoring 18 points of her own and adding four assists.

>>The Crimson Tide committed a season high 18 turnovers compared to KSU's 15.

>>The Black and Gold will return home to host Thomas (Ga.) on Saturday. The game is scheduled for noon and will be streamed on ESPN+.

>>Originally scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 p.m., the game has now been moved up to a noon tip off. KSU men's basketball will play Georgia State at 3:00 p.m., making it a basketball doubleheader at VyStar Arena. Both games that day will be streamed live on ESPN+.

>>Both basketball contests are being moved to allow Owl fans to watch Kennesaw State play in its first-ever Conference USA Football Championship game, which is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start on Friday.