Game Preview: Reinhardt at Kennesaw State
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com
KENNESAW, Ga. – (Live Video | Stats | Audio) For the second time in just under seven months, Reinhardt will kick off another football season during the 2021 calendar year as the Eagles travel to NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) member Kennesaw State to take on the Owls on Thursday night at 8 p.m. inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
The matchup will be televised on ESPN+.
It's the season opener for both teams and the second all-time meeting between the two schools. Kennesaw State owns a 1-0 series lead after taking down the Eagles, 31-7, back on Sept. 28, 2019. Reinhardt was driving with the football before the game was called at 5:45 left in the third quarter due to inclement weather.
The action begins under the lights tomorrow when the eighth-ranked Eagles of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics visit the Owls – who are ranked 19th in the Stats Perform FCS Poll – in the first home Thursday night game in Kennesaw State football history.
The Eagles (9-1 in 2020) look to build on last year, which was postponed and played in the spring of 2021, where they made yet another appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinals.
Conversely, Kennesaw State prepares for its final season in the Big South Conference before joining the ASUN Conference in 2022 for the conference's inaugural full-schedule season. The Owls have played as an associate member of the Big South since 2015, which was Kennesaw State's first season of competition as a program.
The Owls return 82.2 percent of their offensive production this fall, including its top passer, Jonathan Murphy, leading rusher Kyle Glover and top receiver Will Haigler. Kennesaw State welcomes back a considerable amount of experience on both sides of the ball, as the Owls return nine starters on offense and eight on defense in total.
By averaging 268 rushing yards per game, Kennesaw State ranked second nationally in rushing offense in the spring (4-1).
Storylines for Thursday
1. Second Slate of Games in 2021 Begins
With tomorrow's kickoff, Reinhardt will start its second official season of the 2021 calendar year after playing from Feb. 6 – April 24 after the 2020 season was postponed until spring due to COVID-19.
2. Looking for Six-Consecutive Division Titles
The Eagles (9-1 in 2020) hope to build on last year, where they made yet another appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinals. Reinhardt is the five-time defending Appalachian Division champions within the Mid-South Conference.
3. Familiar Faces Return
A number of players on the Eagle roster, including quarterback Billy Hall and defensive lineman Teon Burroughs, are taking advantage of the unique situation of having an extra year of eligibility due to the frozen clock stemming from COVID-19. Hall was the starter in Reinhardt's NAIA national championship appearance in 2017.
4. Eagles and Owls Clash Again
For the second time in history, Reinhardt will visit Fifth Third Bank Stadium to square off with Kennesaw State on the gridiron. The Owls own the 1-0 series lead after taking down the Eagles, 31-7, back on Sept. 28, 2019. Reinhardt was driving with the football before the game was called at 5:45 left in the third quarter due to heavy rain.
5. Players to Watch for Reinhardt
Teon Burroughs – a First Team NAIA All-American – helped the Eagles make yet another appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinals in 2020. The Folkston, Ga., native made 33 total stops, including 8.5 tackles for-loss and five sacks. He also had two fumble recoveries and two interceptions – one of which was returned for a score.
As a group, the Reinhardt defense gave up 16.2 points per game (ninth in the NAIA).
Billy Hall, an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American last year, continued to make strides in all areas from the quarterback position – passing for 1,905 yards with 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The Scott, Tenn., native, who averaged 228.5 yards per contest, also racked up 380 yards and another score on the ground. The offense was 10th in the country while averaging 40.5 points per outing as well.
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