What Is 2017 Kennesaw State Owls football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Kennesaw State Owls football team represented Kennesaw State University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 9-3 record under head coach Brian Bohannon. They won the Big South Conference title and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Key Facts

2017 record: 9 wins, 3 losses (9-3 overall)
Head coach: Brian Bohannon, in his third season
Conference: Big South Conference, won outright with 6-0 record
Playoff result: Advanced to second round, lost to NDSU 45-29
Home stadium: Fifth Third Bank Stadium, capacity 10,200

Overview

The 2017 Kennesaw State Owls football team marked a significant milestone in the program’s short history, completing its third season of competition with a 9-3 overall record. Competing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the Owls were led by head coach Brian Bohannon, who continued to build a competitive team in just a few years since the program's inception in 2015.

The team played its home games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia, a 10,200-seat venue on campus. The 2017 season saw the Owls dominate the Big South Conference, finishing 6-0 in conference play and capturing their first outright league title, a major achievement for such a young program.

Record: The Owls finished the season with a 9-3 overall record, including a perfect 6-0 in Big South Conference play, securing the conference championship.
Head coach:Brian Bohannon, in his third season, led the team to its most successful campaign to date, building on previous seasons’ momentum.
Stadium: Games were played at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, a 10,200-capacity venue located on the Kennesaw State campus in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Playoff performance: The Owls earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs and advanced to the second round before losing to North Dakota State.
Offensive output: The team averaged 36.8 points per game, ranking among the top offenses in the FCS, powered by a dynamic rushing attack.

How It Works

The 2017 Kennesaw State Owls football season operated under the structure of NCAA Division I FCS rules and conference alignment. As a member of the Big South Conference, the team followed a defined schedule, competed for a conference title, and qualified for the national playoffs based on performance.

Division I FCS: The Owls competed in the FCS subdivision of NCAA Division I, which features a 24-team playoff to determine the national champion.
Conference affiliation: As a Big South Conference member, Kennesaw State played six conference games, all of which counted toward the league standings.
Playoff qualification: The Owls earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs with a 9-3 record, despite not winning the conference’s automatic bid via tournament.
Home-field advantage:Fifth Third Bank Stadium hosted playoff games, giving the Owls a strong home-field edge during the postseason.
Recruiting pipeline: The program relied heavily on local Georgia talent, leveraging regional relationships to build a competitive roster quickly.
Offensive scheme: The team ran a spread-option offense, emphasizing fast-paced play and a dominant rushing attack led by quarterback Chandler Burks.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Kennesaw State Owls compared to other FCS teams in key performance categories:

Category	Kennesaw State	National Avg. (FCS)	Top Team (2017)
Overall Record	9-3	6-6	13-2 (NDSU)
Points Per Game	36.8	26.1	44.3 (Sacramento State)
Rushing Yards Per Game	278.4	189.5	322.1 (NDSU)
Conference Record	6-0 (Big South)	N/A	7-1 (Various)
Playoff Result	Second Round	Did not qualify	Champions (NDSU)

The 2017 Kennesaw State Owls outperformed the average FCS team in scoring and rushing, finishing well above national averages. Their undefeated conference record and playoff run placed them among the top mid-major programs, though they fell short of the national semifinals.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a turning point for Kennesaw State football, establishing the program as a rising force in the FCS. Its success demonstrated that new programs could achieve rapid competitiveness through strong coaching, recruiting, and strategic development.

Program legitimacy: Winning a conference title in just the third season validated Kennesaw State’s investment in its football program.
National recognition: The playoff appearance earned the Owls national media coverage, raising the university’s profile.
Recruiting boost: Success on the field translated into improved recruiting rankings for future classes.
Conference realignment: Strong performance pressured other conferences to take Big South football more seriously.
Community impact: Games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium brought increased local economic activity and fan engagement.
Foundation for growth: The 2017 season laid the groundwork for future success, including eventual ASUN Conference football competition.

Overall, the 2017 Kennesaw State Owls football team exemplified how strategic planning and on-field excellence can rapidly elevate a collegiate program. Their season remains a benchmark in the school’s athletic history.