The 2025 Kennesaw State Owls football team represented Kennesaw State University in Conference USA (CUSA) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Jerry Mack, the Owls played home games at Fifth Third Stadium in Cobb County, Georgia near Kennesaw.
After going 2–10 and finishing tied for last in the CUSA the previous season, the Owls finished the 2025 regular season with an overall record of 9–3, with a conference record of 7–1. The team made the conference title game, facing off against Jacksonville State in a rematch of a regular season game; the Owls won the title game 19–15. The Owls accepted an invite to the Myrtle Beach Bowl, where they lost 6–41 to Western Michigan, finishing the season with an overall record of 10–4. Head coach Jerry Mack was named Conference USA Coach of the Year.
Schedule
Game summaries at Wake Forest
Statistics KENN WAKE First downs 18 20 Plays–yards 76–307 75–348 Rushes–yards 43–158 47–130 Passing yards 149 218 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–33–0 20–28–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 24:59 35:01 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Dexter Williams II 12/33, 149 yards Rushing Coleman Bennett 17 carries, 66 yards, TD Receiving Gabriel Benyard 5 receptions, 103 yardsWake Forest Passing Robby Ashford 20/28, 218 yards Rushing Robby Ashford 18 carries, 42 yards, TD Receiving Eni Falayi 4 receptions, 52 yards
at No. 23 Indiana
Statistics KENN IU First downs 10 28 Plays–yards 53–271 67–593 Rushes–yards 32–89 39–313 Passing yards 182 280 Passing: –– 13–21–1 21–28–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 27:30 32:30
Team Category Player Statistics Kennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 10/16, 176 yards, INT Rushing Coleman Bennett 5 carries, 34 yards Receiving Lyndon Ravare 2 receptions, 72 yards Indiana Passing Fernando Mendoza 18/25, 245 yards, 4 TD Rushing Lee Beebe Jr. 11 carries, 90 yards, TD Receiving Elijah Sarratt 9 receptions, 97 yards, 3 TD
vs. Merrimack (FCS)
Statistics MRMK KENN First downs 16 21 Plays–yards 63–294 63–369 Rushes–yards 38–79 32–173 Passing yards 215 196 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–25–0 21–31–1 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 36:48 23:12 Team Category Player StatisticsMerrimack Passing Ayden Pereira 12/23, 181 yards Rushing Ayden Pereira 23 carries, 62 yards, TD Receiving Jalen McDonald 5 receptions, 116 yardsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 12/14, 108 yards, TD Rushing Alexander Diggs 9 carries, 55 yards Receiving Christian Moss 6 receptions, 68 yards
vs. Arkansas State
Statistics ARST KENN First downs 18 30 Plays–yards 69–318 83–497 Rushes–yards 28–92 49–189 Passing yards 226 308 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–41–0 25–34–0 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 26:35 33:25 Team Category Player StatisticsArkansas State Passing Jaylen Raynor 25/41, 226 yards, 2 TD Rushing Devin Spencer 14 carries, 61 yards Receiving Hunter Summers 8 receptions, 114 yards, TDKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 25/34, 308 yards, TD Rushing Amari Odom 16 carries, 101 yards, TD Receiving Gabriel Benyard 6 receptions, 114 yards, TD
vs. Middle Tennessee
Statistics MTSU KENN First downs 24 17 Plays–yards 79–460 51–334 Rushes–yards 37–155 31–157 Passing yards 305 177 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 28–42–1 13–20–0 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 38:59 21:01 Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 27/41, 278 yards, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 20 carries, 109 yards, 2 TD Receiving Cam'ron Lacy 8 receptions, 96 yardsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 11/17, 162 yards, 2 TD Rushing Coleman Bennett 12 carries, 101 yards Receiving Chase Belcher 1 reception, 53 yards, TD
vs. Louisiana Tech
Statistics LT KENN First downs 21 22 Total yards 75–305 63–400 Rushing yards 40–136 27–110 Passing yards 169 290 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–35–2 27–36–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 29:09 30:51 Team Category Player StatisticsLouisiana Tech Passing Evan Bullock 11/21, 112 yards, INT Rushing Omiri Wiggins 14 carries, 67 yards, TD Receiving Marlion Jackson 3 receptions, 49 yardsKennesaw State Passing Dexter Williams II 27/36, 290 yards, 4 TD Rushing Coleman Bennett 17 carries, 73 yards Receiving Christian Moss 4 receptions, 66 yards
at FIU
Statistics KENN FIU First downs 20 23 Plays–yards 58–498 73–518 Rushes–yards 41–214 37–222 Passing yards 284 296 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–17–0 22–36–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 25:39 34:21 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 10/15, 205 yards, TD Rushing Alexander Diggs 11 carries, 69 yards, TD Receiving Gabriel Benyard 5 receptions, 97 yardsFIU Passing Keyone Jenkins 22/36, 296 yards, TD Rushing Kejon Owens 20 carries, 166 yards, TD Receiving Alex Perry 7 receptions, 75 yards
vs. UTEP
Statistics UTEP KENN First downs 17 18 Plays–yards 73–295 71–304 Rushes–yards 43–135 39–150 Passing yards 160 154 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–30–0 14–32–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 30:57 29:03 Team Category Player StatisticsUTEP Passing Skyler Locklear 14/29, 160 yards, 2 TD Rushing Skyler Locklear 23 carries, 77 yards Receiving Kenny Odom 6 receptions, 51 yards, TDKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 6/10, 86 yards Rushing Chase Belcher 24 carries, 113 yards, TD Receiving Javon Rogers 1 reception, 66 yards
at New Mexico State
Statistics KENN NMSU First downs 21 26 Plays–yards 74–427 82–316 Rushes–yards 44–208 36–75 Passing yards 219 241 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–30–2 28–46–2 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 29:20 30:40 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 14/30, 219 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing Coleman Bennett 16 carries, 86 yards Receiving Gabriel Benyard 3 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TDNew Mexico State Passing Logan Fife 28/46, 241 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Dijon Stanley 10 carries, 61 yards, TD Receiving TK King 4 receptions, 49 yards
at Jacksonville State
Statistics KENN JVST First downs 32 18 Plays–yards 90–579 56–451 Rushes–yards 46–217 42–252 Passing yards 362 199 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 27–44–4 9–14–0 Turnovers 4 0 Time of possession 34:22 25:38 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 19/31, 248 yards, 3 INT Rushing Chase Belcher 8 carries, 62 yards Receiving Gabriel Benyard 5 receptions, 100 yardsJacksonville State Passing Caden Creel 8/13, 137 yards Rushing Cam Cook 27 carries, 132 yards, TD Receiving Deondre Johnson 2 receptions, 112 yards, TD
vs. Missouri State
Statistics MOST KENN First downs 25 26 Plays–yards 62–535 79–500 Rushes–yards 29–191 45–113 Passing yards 344 387 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23–33–2 24–34–0 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 29:21 30:39 Team Category Player StatisticsMissouri State Passing Jacob Clark 23/32, 344 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing Shomari Lawrence 20 carries, 173 yards, TD Receiving Dash Luke 5 receptions, 73 yardsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 24/34, 387 yards, 5 TD Rushing Amari Odom 16 carries, 32 yards, TD Receiving Gabriel Benyard 7 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TD
at Liberty
Statistics KENN LIB First downs 25 24 Plays–yards 67–452 79–503 Rushes–yards 44–212 57–291 Passing yards 240 212 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–23–0 12–22–0 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 27:03 32:57 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 14/23, 240 yards, 4 TD Rushing Coleman Bennett 14 carries, 92 yards, TD Receiving Gabriel Benyard 4 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TDLiberty Passing Michael Merdinger 12/21, 212 yards, TD Rushing Evan Dickens 43 carries, 267 yards, 4 TD Receiving Vaughn Blue 2 receptions, 69 yards, TD
at Jacksonville State (Conference USA Championship)
Statistics KENN JVST First downs 23 19 Plays–yards 68–318 62–306 Rushes–yards 36–72 40–210 Passing yards 246 96 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 26–32–0 12–22–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 31:12 28:48 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 26/32, 246 yards, TD Rushing Coleman Bennett 17 carries, 82 yards, TD Receiving Christian Moss 5 receptions, 75 yardsJacksonville State Passing Caden Creel 12/21, 96 yards, INT Rushing Caden Creel 18 carries, 112 yards, TD Receiving Deondre Johnson 4 receptions, 59 yards
vs. Western Michigan (Myrtle Beach Bowl)
Statistics KENNWMU First downs 18 18 Plays–yards 70–378 62–423 Rushes–yards 34–169 43–303 Passing yards 209 120 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–36–2 12–19–1 Turnovers 4 2 Time of possession 25:44 34:16 Team Category Player StatisticsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 18/35, 209 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Chase Belcher 16 carries, 148 yards Receiving Javon Rogers 3 receptions, 111 yards, TDWestern Michigan Passing Broc Lowry 12/19, 120 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jalen Buckley 8 carries, 174 yards, TD Receiving Blake Bosma 5 receptions, 44 yards, TD
Personnel Coaching staff NamePosition Jerry Mack Head coach Mitch Militello Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks coach Marc Mattioli Defensive coordinator Kyle Blocker Special teams coordinator/Tight ends coach Jay Clements Offensive line coach Aston Walter Running backs coach David Whitlow Wide receivers coach Jonathan Bradley Defensive line coach Granville Eastman Safeties coach William Paruta Linebackers coach James Williams Cornerbacks coach
Roster 2025 Kennesaw State Owls FootballQuarterbacks 2 – Amari Odom – sophomore (6'4, 205) 5 – Dexter Williams II – senior (6'1, 210) 7 – Skyler Williams – freshman (6'3, 215) 11 – Preston Clemmer – sophomore (6'1, 190) 14 – Tommy Ulatowski – junior (6'0, 185)
Running backs 0 – Coleman Bennett – senior (5'11, 185) 3 – Alexander Diggs – junior (5'9, 185) 4 – Chase Belcher – senior (6'1, 218) 23 – Jonathan Mathis – sophomore (6'0, 195) 25 – Joshua Troupe – freshman (5'11, 210) 26 – Rob Brown – junior (6'0, 200)
Wide receivers 1 – Gabriel Benyard – senior (5'10, 185) 6 – Christian Moss – senior (6'3, 190) 8 – Tykeem Wallace – senior (5'9, 165) 9 – Davis Bryson – junior (5'9, 190) 10 – Jordan Jackson – senior (6'3, 210) 12 – Lyndon Ravare – junior (6'0, 165) 15 – Javon Rogers – sophomore (6'0, 170) 16 – Navelle Dean – sophomore (6'0, 185) 18 – Clayton Coppock – freshman (6'1, 165) 19 – Jayce Cora – freshman (6'4, 185) 80 – Josh Williamson – junior (5'10, 145) Tight ends 17 – Gerard Bullock Jr. – graduate student (6'1, 225) 84 – Semaj Parker – junior (6'3, 225) 85 – Rowan Darnell – junior (6'4, 215) 86 – Isaiah Williams – sophomore (6'3, 235) 88 – Jamari Harrold – freshman (6'4, 210)
Offensive linemen 52 – Havik Pettigrew – junior (6'0, 270) 55 – Seaburn Hines – senior (6'2, 305) 56 – JaDarious Lee – junior (6'4, 287) 58 – Brandon Best – junior (6'4, 305) 59 – Jamiel Williams – freshman (6'4, 265) 64 – Cameron Williams – senior (6'3, 315) 65 – JT Pennington – senior (6'4, 305) 66 – Chase Stevens – freshman (6'3, 310) 68 – Benton Dunn – sophomore (6'3, 295) 70 – Chrisdasson Saint-Jean – freshman (6'7, 310) 71 – ZaMario Woodgett – freshman (6'5, 280) 72 – Haston Crawford – freshman (6'6, 300) 73 – Casey Jean-Baptiste – sophomore (6'5, 355) 74 – Elijah Zollicoffer – senior (6'5, 345) 75 – Josiah Chenault – sophomore (6'3, 300) 76 – Nikola Milovac – sophomore (6'6, 315) 77 – Rene Miller – junior (6'6, 335) 78 – Benjamin Kienz – sophomore (6'7, 295) Defensive linemen 5 – Tylon Dunlap – senior (6'1, 260) 6 – Marcus Patterson – junior (6'3, 275) 8 – Roderick Daniels – senior (6'2, 260) 14 – Donovan Westmoreland – sophomore (6'1, 230) 19 – Elijah Harper – junior (6'3, 240) 41 – Byron Jackson – freshman (6'4, 225) 53 – AJ Miller – sophomore (6'3, 280) 55 – Ugonna Nwoha – senior (6'3, 255) 56 – Elijah Hill – freshman (6'2, 240) 58 – Mike Jones – graduate student (6'2, 275) 79 – Marlo East Jr. – sophomore (6'2, 245) 92 – Jackson Cooper – freshman (6'4, 300) 94 – Nicholas Charles – junior (6'3, 230) 95 – Ebenezer Dibula – graduate student (6'3, 275) 96 – Jaiden Grimes – sophomore (6'2, 275) 97 – Adam Watkins – senior (6'0, 300) 99 – Nasir Smith – freshman (6'2, 265)
Linebackers 0 – Donelius Johnson – junior (6'0, 220) 7 – Garland Benyard – senior (6'1, 225) 11 – Jamar Rucks – senior (6'3, 230) 16 – Juandarion Silas – junior (6'1, 215)