Kennesaw State Edges Florida International in Thrilling Week 13 Matchup
Kennesaw State survived a back-and-forth battle against Florida International, securing a 27-26 victory in Week 13. The Owls mounted a late fourth-quarter surge to cover the spread and outlast the Panthers in a contest that saw 14 lead changes.
Florida International dominated the second quarter, scoring 20 points to establish an early lead. The Panthers' offense moved the ball effectively, with quarterback Keyone Jenkins completing a 52-yard pass to Dean Patterson and later connecting with Eric Rivers for a touchdown. Jenkins finished with 204 passing yards, while Devonte Lyons rushed for 99 yards.
Kennesaw State's defense made crucial plays throughout, particularly in the opening half, and the home team chipped away with a field goal in the first quarter and a touchdown in the second. The Owls' decisive moment came in the fourth quarter when they scored 10 points to seal the narrow victory.
The game exceeded the over-under line of 42 points, finishing at 53 total points in an action-packed contest that kept both teams competitive until the final whistle.
AI-generated recap · Sep 2, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Florida International | 0 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 26 |
 Kennesaw State | 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Florida International | Kennesaw State |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 12-22 | 18-32 |
| Pass Yards | 204 | 186 |
| Rush Yards | 197 | 177 |
| Total Yards | 401 | 363 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| 3rd Down | 4-14 | 6-15 |
| Penalties | 7-75 | 3-20 |
| Possession | 31:27 | 28:33 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
Alejandro Prado kickoff for 54 yds , Qua Ashley return for 25 yds to the KENN 36
Gabriel Benyard run for 44 yds to the FIU 20 for a 1ST down
Michael Benefield run for a loss of 1 yard to the FIU 21
Michael Benefield run for no gain to the FIU 21
Davis Bryson pass complete to Qua Ashley for 3 yds to the FIU 18
Austin Welch 36 yd FG GOOD
Austin Welch kickoff for 56 yds , C'Quan Jnopierre return for 23 yds to the FIU 32
Keyone Jenkins sacked by Jaiden Grimes and Garland Benyard for a loss of 3 yards to the FIU 29
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Dean Patterson for 52 yds to the KENN 19 for a 1ST down
Lexington Joseph run for 7 yds to the KENN 12
Keyone Jenkins run for 2 yds to the KENN 10
Keyone Jenkins run for 2 yds to the KENN 8 for a 1ST down
Lexington Joseph run for 2 yds to the KENN 6
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Alejandro Prado 24 yd FG MISSED
Qua Ashley run for 7 yds to the KENN 27
Davis Bryson run for a loss of 1 yard to the KENN 26
Qua Ashley run for 5 yds to the KENN 31 for a 1ST down
Qua Ashley run for 4 yds to the KENN 35
Florida International Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15 Yards) to the KENN 40 for a 1ST down
(05:25) QB Keeper BRYSON, Davis rush to the left for a gain of 22 yards to the FIU43 (MASSES, Hezekiah), clock 05:28. PENALTY KSU Holding on RUCKS, Jamar enforced 10 yards from the KSU35 to the KSU25 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Qua Ashley run for 3 yds to the KENN 43
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Jacob Ulrich punt for 44 yds, fair catch by Dean Patterson at the FIU 13
Devonte Lyons run for 9 yds to the FIU 22
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Devonte Lyons run for 4 yds to the FIU 26 for a 1ST down
Devonte Lyons run for 5 yds to the FIU 31
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Eric Rivers for 13 yds to the FIU 44 for a 1ST down
Shomari Lawrence run for 5 yds to the FIU 49
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Devonte Lyons run for 1 yd to the 50 yard line
Daton Montiel punt for 32 yds , Gabriel Benyard returns for no gain to the KENN 18
Davis Bryson pass complete to Gabriel Benyard for 27 yds to the KENN 45 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson pass complete to Tykeem Wallace for 7 yds to the FIU 48
Michael Benefield run for 5 yds to the FIU 43 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson pass complete to Gabriel Benyard for 1 yd to the FIU 42
Michael Benefield run for 3 yds to the FIU 39
Davis Bryson pass complete to Qua Ashley for 24 yds to the FIU 15 for a 1ST down
Qua Ashley run for no gain to the FIU 15
Davis Bryson pass complete to Jaden Robinson for 10 yds to the FIU 5 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson run for 5 yds for a TD (Austin Welch KICK)
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Devonte Lyons for 6 yds to the FIU 31
(09:23) JENKINS, Keyone pass short to the left complete for 15 yards to RIVERS, Eric caught at the FIU34 and advanced to the FIU46 (BILLINGSLEY, Que), clock 09:30. PENALTY Before the snap, FIU Illegal Formation enforced 5 yards from the FIU31 to the FIU26. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Kejon Owens run for 6 yds to the FIU 32
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Lexington Joseph for 1 yd to the FIU 33
Ross Fournet run for 49 yds to the KENN 18 for a 1ST down
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Eric Rivers for 18 yds for a TD (Alejandro Prado PAT MISSED)
Florida International Penalty, Face mask (15 yards) (Hezekiah Masses) to the FIU 18 for a 1ST down
Alejandro Prado kickoff for 62 yds , Qua Ashley return for 37 yds to the KENN 40
Davis Bryson pass complete to Blake Bohannon for 6 yds to the FIU 12
Qua Ashley run for 3 yds to the FIU 9
Davis Bryson run for 2 yds to the FIU 7 for a 1ST down
Qua Ashley run for 2 yds to the FIU 5
Davis Bryson run for 2 yds to the FIU 3
Preston Daniels run for 3 yds for a TD (Austin Welch KICK)
Austin Welch kickoff for 63 yds , C'Quan Jnopierre return for 27 yds to the FIU 29
Devonte Lyons run for 12 yds to the FIU 41 for a 1ST down
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Eric Rivers for 39 yds to the KENN 20 for a 1ST down
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Dean Patterson for 20 yds for a TD (Robert Czeremcha KICK)
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Qua Ashley run for 1 yd to the KENN 32
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Jacob Ulrich punt for 44 yds , Dean Patterson returns for 6 yds to the FIU 30
Keyone Jenkins run for 6 yds to the FIU 36
Keyone Jenkins run for 2 yds to the FIU 38
Kejon Owens run for 20 yds to the KENN 42 for a 1ST down
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Eric Rivers for 42 yds for a TD (Robert Czeremcha KICK)
Davis Bryson run for 7 yds to the KENN 34
Davis Bryson pass complete to Carson Kent for 7 yds to the KENN 41 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Davis Bryson pass complete to Qua Ashley for no gain to the KENN 41
Davis Bryson pass complete to Carson Kent for 15 yds to the FIU 44 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Jacob Ulrich punt for 44 yds for a touchback
[NH] Kneel down by JENKINS, Keyone at FIU19 (team loss of 1), clock 00:00.
End of 2nd Quarter
Austin Welch kickoff for 59 yds , C'Quan Jnopierre return for 45 yds to the KENN 49
Devonte Lyons run for 13 yds to the KENN 36 for a 1ST down
Devonte Lyons run for 5 yds to the KENN 31
Devonte Lyons run for 11 yds to the KENN 20 for a 1ST down
Keyone Jenkins run for 3 yds to the KENN 22
(13:26) JENKINS, Keyone pass deep to the left incomplete intended for RIVERS, Eric thrown to the KSU0, clock 13:29. PENALTY FIU Ineligible Receiver Downfield on Pass on BURKE, Travis enforced 5 yards from the KSU20 to the KSU25 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Devonte Lyons run for 8 yds to the KENN 14
Keyone Jenkins run for a loss of 4 yards to the KENN 18
Robert Czeremcha 36 yd FG GOOD
Alejandro Prado kickoff for 61 yds , Qua Ashley return for 19 yds to the KENN 23 Qua Ashley fumbled, recovered by FIU Jaden Williams J. Williams return for 19 yds , return for no gain to the KENN 23
Florida International Penalty, Offensive Holding (Naeer Jackson) to the KENN 33
Devonte Lyons run for 7 yds to the KENN 26
Devonte Lyons run for 6 yds to the KENN 20
Devonte Lyons run for 4 yds to the KENN 16
Robert Czeremcha 34 yd FG GOOD
Alejandro Prado kickoff for 55 yds , Qua Ashley return for 11 yds to the KENN 11
Qua Ashley run for 28 yds to the KENN 39 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson run for a loss of 2 yards to the KENN 37
Qua Ashley run for no gain to the KENN 37
Davis Bryson pass complete to Blake Bohannon for 15 yds to the FIU 48 for a 1ST down
Qua Ashley run for 3 yds to the FIU 45
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Jacob Ulrich punt for 34 yds, fair catch by Dean Patterson at the FIU 11
Devonte Lyons run for 4 yds to the FIU 15
Devonte Lyons run for 4 yds to the FIU 19
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Kejon Owens for no gain to the FIU 19
Daton Montiel punt for 33 yds , Jacob Norcross returns for no gain to the KENN 48
Qua Ashley run for 2 yds to the 50 yard line
Lucas Scheerhorn pass incomplete
Kennesaw State Penalty, Intentional Grounding (Lucas Scheerhorn) to the KENN 36
Jacob Ulrich punt for 53 yds , Dean Patterson returns for 9 yds to the FIU 10
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Eric Rivers for 6 yds to the FIU 16
Kejon Owens run for 4 yds to the FIU 20 for a 1ST down
Keyone Jenkins run for a loss of 1 yard to the FIU 19
Devonte Lyons run for 1 yd to the FIU 20
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Daton Montiel punt for 33 yds, fair catch by Gabriel Benyard at the KENN 47
Lucas Scheerhorn pass complete to Tykeem Wallace for 1 yd to the KENN 48
Lucas Scheerhorn pass intercepted CJ Christian return for no gain to the FIU 35
Keyone Jenkins run for 4 yds to the FIU 39
Shomari Lawrence run for no gain to the FIU 39
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Daton Montiel punt for 24 yds
Michael Benefield run for a loss of 1 yard to the KENN 36
Davis Bryson run for 1 yd to the KENN 37
Davis Bryson pass complete to Qua Ashley for no gain to the KENN 37
Jacob Ulrich punt for 42 yds , Dean Patterson returns for no gain to the FIU 21
Keyone Jenkins run for 2 yds to the FIU 23
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Keyone Jenkins run for 2 yds to the FIU 25
Daton Montiel punt for 49 yds , Gabriel Benyard returns for 7 yds to the KENN 33
Davis Bryson run for 7 yds to the KENN 40
Florida International Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (JoJo Evans) to the FIU 45 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson pass complete to Blake Bohannon for 19 yds to the FIU 26 for a 1ST down
Qua Ashley run for no gain to the FIU 26
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Davis Bryson pass incomplete
Austin Welch 44 yd FG MISSED
C'Quan Jnopierre run for no gain to the FIU 26
Keyone Jenkins sacked by Jordan Miles for a loss of 6 yards to the FIU 20
Daton Montiel punt for 31 yds , Gabriel Benyard returns for no gain to the KENN 49
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Davis Bryson pass complete to Gabriel Benyard for 8 yds to the FIU 43
Davis Bryson pass complete to Carson Kent for 24 yds to the FIU 19 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson run for 19 yds for a TD (Austin Welch KICK)
Devonte Lyons run for 5 yds to the FIU 30
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Eric Rivers for 2 yds to the FIU 32
Keyone Jenkins pass complete to Eric Rivers for 5 yds to the FIU 37 for a 1ST down
Keyone Jenkins sacked for a loss of 4 yards to the FIU 33 Keyone Jenkins fumbled, recovered by KENN Tylon Dunlap , return for 0 yards
Qua Ashley run for 3 yds to the FIU 30
Davis Bryson pass complete to Tykeem Wallace for 9 yds to the FIU 21 for a 1ST down
Davis Bryson run for 3 yds to the FIU 18
Davis Bryson pass complete to Carson Kent for 10 yds to the FIU 8 for a 1ST down
Michael Benefield run for 3 yds to the FIU 5
Davis Bryson run for 2 yds to the FIU 3
Austin Welch 19 yd FG GOOD
Michael Benefield run for 2 yds to the FIU 1
Austin Welch kickoff for 42 yds , Ross Fournet return for 14 yds to the FIU 37
Keyone Jenkins pass incomplete
Keyone Jenkins pass intercepted JeRico Washington Jr. return for no gain to the FIU 43
(00:37) [NHSG] Kneel down by BRYSON, Davis at FIU45 (team loss of 2), clock 00:34.
(00:11) [NHSG] Kneel down by BRYSON, Davis at FIU48 (team loss of 3), clock 00:00.