Justin will tell you where to go in Talkin’ Sports

The college football season is heating up as the Georgia Bulldogs are looking to win back-to-back FBS National titles. Certainly, Alabama and Ohio State, among a few others will attempt to have something to say about that. But did you know that if you don’t want to travel all the way to Athens to see the ‘Dawgs, and still want to see some quality football, you can do so right here in our own backyard?

That’s right, the Kennesaw State Owls, a perennial top 25 program in the FCS of Division One play here in Kennesaw at the beautiful Fifth Third Bank Stadium, right off of I-75 on George Busbee Parkway.

I have been the PA Announcer for Atlanta United 2 at this very same stadium and can tell you it is an absolute gem. There is nothing better than going inside this venue on a beautiful day as it is small enough to be considered quaint, yet big enough to have some rocking vibes.

The Owls have only had a football program since 2015 but have already earned three Conference Championships and have played in a pair of National Quarterfinals. Brian Bohanon, who has been the only head coach the program has ever, has led this team to an amazing 63-20 record (as of press time) and 28-8 conference mark, after serving as an Assistant Coach for years under former Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson.

Bohannon’s boys went 11-2 a season ago and a perfect 6-0 in conference in 2021 as they finished ranked 10th overall in the nation.

KSU has also now played four FBS opponents after tangling with Atlanta Falcons’ Quarterback Desmond Ritter’s alma mater, the University of Cincinnati earlier in the season. So don’t accuse them of beefing up that record with some cupcakes. As of press time, the Owls were ranked 18th in the nation. The mark gives KSU its 61st consecutive week in the top 25 poll, dating back to Oct. 30 of the 2017 season. This streak also spans 1,771 days with the Owls entering the last 52 games as a ranked program. Since its inception as a program, 96 weeks of national FCS top 25 polls have been released and the Owls have been featured in over 63 percent of them.

Here is how my good friend and original play-by-play voice of the Owls, Brian Katrek, sums things up. “The game day experience at KSU is amazing. There isn’t a bad seat in the house

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and the food is great! Coach Bohanon has been the perfect leader for our program and they will make another post season run this year.”

They may not get the pub of the Bulldogs or the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets or some other programs but Kennesaw State is a quality and entertaining program that is a good time for all. The Owls boast a lot of former Georgia high school players and play at home four times in October. Come support local and have an incredible time in the process!

Justin Hanover is a sports reporter/analyst who has worked in the business since 1996. His stops have included ESPN, CNN, 790 The Zone, 680 The Fan and the Atlanta Falcons. He has also done play-by-play analysis and color commentary ranging from the high school level all the way through the professional level. Justin lives in Smyrna with his wife and three children.

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