Three things to know for Jacksonville State football ASUN opener vs Kennesaw

Maxwell Donaldson, The Gadsden Times
·2 min read

Jacksonville State football will start ASUN conference play against Kennesaw State on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.

The game is streamed on ESPN+ and it's family day at JSU Stadium. The Gamecocks are not eligible for the FCS playoffs due to the FBS transition.

The Gamecocks (4-1) are coming off of a 52-21 win against Nicholls State after suffering their first loss of the season to Tulsa the week before. The Owls (1-2) are coming off a 24-22 win over Wofford.

Here's what to know as the Gamecocks start conference play.

First ASUN game

The Gamecocks had spent the last 17 years as part of the Ohio Valley Conference before leaving for the ASUN. The Gamecocks were members of the conference as a non-football member from 1995-2003.

This is the first season of ASUN football after pairing with the Western Athletic Conference to form the AQ7 collation. Their are six teams playing ASUN football this season including North Alabama.

Last week featured the first ASUN intraconference football game between Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky.

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Kennesaw State run-centered offense

Kennesaw State averages 57 rushes a game for an average of 185.3 yards. The Owls have scored all of their five touchdowns on the ground this season. They are led by quarterback Jonathan Murphy who averages 83 yards passing a game while scoring two touchdowns.

Run-centered offenses have caused some problems for the Gamecocks' defense this season. Against Davidson and Nicholls State, the Gamecocks allowed over 230 yards but limited the damage to one touchdown against the Colonels.

Owls' run defense vs Gamecocks' run offense

The Owls have been stout on the ground this season allowing 126.7 yards per game and that drops to an average of 74 yards in two games versus FCS competition.

The Gamecocks have been averaging 266.2 yards a game while scoring 19 of their 23 touchdowns via the ground. Jacksonville State had one of its better run games against the Colonels, gaining 292 yards and a season-high tying five touchdowns.

The good news for the Gamecocks is that Zion Webb is coming off one of his better passing games of the season if the run game struggles.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: What to know for Jacksonville State football ASUN opener vs Kennesaw