Kennesaw State at Western Kentucky - 2024 Matchup Preview

Kennesaw State Owls at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Wednesday, October 30th 2024 (7:30 PM EDT)
Western Kentucky -24 (49.0) (-2100) Open: -24.5
Western Kentucky 31 - Kennesaw State: 14 (Conference USA)

Owls (2 - 10) (5 - 7 - 0)
Coach Brian Bohannon (71 - 30)
Avg Score : 17 - 31 (13 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 2 - 10 (#128)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

WKU coming off BYE
Our Line: Western Kentucky -23 (SP+ WKU -23)
Projected Score: KENN: 12 - WKU: 35 (47)
WKU Win prob: 96% | Cover: 57%
KENN Travel: 230 miles, 1 hrs ahead

Hilltoppers (8 - 6) (7 - 7 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (40 - 26)
Avg Score : 25 - 25 (26 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8 - 6 (#42)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
KENN Players
WKU Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Kennesaw State's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/31	Kennesaw State at UTSA	+24.0	49.5	L 16 - 28	U	Y
Sat 9/7	Kennesaw State vs Louisiana	+14.5	46.5	L 10 - 34	U	N
Sat 9/14	Kennesaw State at San José State	+16.5	41.5	L 10 - 31	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/28	Kennesaw State vs UT Martin	+1.5	45.5	L 13 - 24	U	N
Fri 10/4	Kennesaw State vs Jacksonville State	+17.5	49.5	L 24 - 63	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Tue 10/15	Kennesaw State at Middle Tennessee	+8.5	50.0	L 5 - 14	U	N
Wed 10/23	Kennesaw State vs Liberty	+27.0	48.0	W 27 - 24	O	Y
Wed 10/30	Kennesaw State at Western Kentucky	+24.0	49.0	L 14 - 31	U	Y
Sat 11/9	Kennesaw State at UTEP	+4.5	42.0	L 35 - 43	O	N
Sat 11/16	Kennesaw State vs Sam Houston	+21.0	42.5	L 17 - 23	U	Y
Sat 11/23	Kennesaw State vs Florida International	+9.0	42.5	W 27 - 26	O	Y
Sat 11/30	Kennesaw State at Louisiana Tech	+13.5	41.5	L 0 - 33	U	N

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Kennesaw State's Schedule

Western Kentucky's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/31	Western Kentucky at Alabama	+31.0	60.0	L 0 - 63	O	N
Sat 9/7	Western Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky	-18.5	59.5	W 31 - 0	U	Y
Sat 9/14	Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee	-10.5	53.5	W 49 - 21	O	Y
Sat 9/21	Western Kentucky vs Toledo	+2.0	60.5	W 26 - 21	U	Y
Sat 9/28	Western Kentucky at Boston College	+7.5	48.0	L 20 - 21	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Thu 10/10	Western Kentucky vs UTEP	-19.0	55.5	W 44 - 17	O	Y
Wed 10/16	Western Kentucky at Sam Houston	+1.5	55.0	W 31 - 14	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Wed 10/30	Western Kentucky vs Kennesaw State	-24.0	49.0	W 31 - 14	U	N
Sat 11/9	Western Kentucky at New Mexico State	-18.0	53.5	W 41 - 28	O	N
Sat 11/16	Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech	-11.5	52.5	L 7 - 12	U	N
Sat 11/23	Western Kentucky at Liberty	+1.0	56.5	L 21 - 38	O	N
Sat 11/30	Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State	+0.5	62.5	W 19 - 17	U	Y
Fri 12/6	Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State	+4.5	58.5	L 12 - 52	O	N
Wed 12/18	Western Kentucky vs James Madison	+7.5	50.5	L 17 - 27	U	N

Important Stats (2024)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
KENN	#134 (-.04)	31% (133)	16.5	31% (134)	2.16 (134)	116	32% (129)	136	3.5 (103)	#93 (.21)	46% (114)	31.2	45% (91)	48% (122)	4.15 (102)	46.3	1.5	1
WKU	#66 (.19)	42% (83)	24.9	38% (117)	2.78 (108)	110	45% (33)	265	3.83 (78)	#95 (.21)	45% (102)	24.6	48% (113)	40% (60)	3.66 (54)	41.3	1.7	1.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
KENN	#134 (-.04)	31% (133)		31% (134)	2.16 (134)	116	32% (129)	136	3.5 (103)	#93 (.21)	46% (114)		45% (91)	48% (122)	4.15 (102)	46.3	1.5	1
WKU	#66 (.19)	42% (83)		38% (117)	2.78 (108)	110	45% (33)	265	3.83 (78)	#95 (.21)	45% (102)		48% (113)	40% (60)	3.66 (54)	41.3	1.7	1.5

Overall Stats 2024

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
KENN Offense	12	16.5	13.3	31.4%	3.5	1.5	14	252	116	136	3.1	58%	41%	31%	32%	17%	-.04
WKU Defense	14	24.6	13.5	44.7%	3.66	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	63%	36%	48%	40%	13%	.21

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
KENN Defense	12	31.2	30	46.2%	4.15	1	-	-	-	-	-	52%	48%	45%	48%	14%	.21
WKU Offense	14	24.9	26.3	41.8%	3.83	1.7	19	374	110	265	3.5	45%	55%	38%	45%	16%	.19

Additional Stats 2024

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Kennesaw State	12	29:20	13.7	35%	39%	5.6	46.3	1.5	1	4.8	1.8	3	28.9
Western Kentucky	14	27:52	19.3	41%	59%	4.1	41.3	1.7	1.5	4.9	1.6	0	29.7

Run Game Stats (2024)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
KENN Offense	12	58% (17)	31% (134)	37.4	115.5	3.1	13 (105)	-.05 (130)	2.16 (134)	74% (62)	12% (115)	1.01 (51)
WKU Defense	14	63% (134)	48% (113)	-	-	-	-	.19 (103)	3.36 (116)	77% (93)	9% (88)	0.9 (35)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
KENN Defense	12	52% (85)	45% (91)	-	-	-	-	.16 (86)	3.04 (75)	73% (65)	9% (93)	1 (73)
WKU Offense	14	45% (105)	38% (117)	31.1	109.7	3.5	14 (98)	.01 (121)	2.78 (108)	69% (100)	11% (87)	0.95 (75)

Pass Game Stats (2024)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
KENN Offense	12	41% (117)	32% (129)	13	24.8	136.3	5.5	10.5	6 (133)	14 (115)	- (133)	1.6 (52)	38% (131)	23% (130)	.16 (124)	5% (24)	2.1 (60)
WKU Defense	14	36% (1)	40% (60)	-	-	-	-	-	-	10 (66)	.29 (99)	1.8 (128)	28% (116)	29% (47)	.23 (37)	3% (132)	2.1 (92)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
KENN Defense	12	48% (50)	48% (122)	-	-	-	-	-	-	4 (125)	.27 (86)	1.3 (8)	26% (131)	30% (51)	.31 (71)	5% (119)	2 (63)
WKU Offense	14	55% (26)	45% (33)	22.1	33.5	264.6	7.9	12	28 (15)	12 (85)	.36 (28)	1.6 (59)	33% (91)	30% (91)	.29 (89)	6% (56)	1.9 (100)

Kennesaw State's Power Ratings
Kennesaw State's Power Rating: -26.19 #131
Kennesaw State's Offense Rating: 7.76 #132
Kennesaw State's Defense Rating: 12.85 #97
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #102
Kennesaw State's 2024 Expected Record: 2.0 - 10.0
Kennesaw State's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -25.1 #132
Kennesaw State's Offense SP+ Rating: 10.2 #134
Kennesaw State's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.1 #118

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Kennesaw State: -26.19 Western Kentucky: -2.645

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kennesaw State: -25.1 Western Kentucky: -2.2

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -2.645 #92
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 19.32 #71
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 11.86 #86
2024 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #82
Western Kentucky's 2024 Expected Record: 8.0 - 6.0
Western Kentucky's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -2.2 #78
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.1 #101
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 26.1 #62

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Kennesaw State Scoring
Offense: 16.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 13.3
Defense: 31.2 PPG
Defense on Road: 30

Kennesaw State's 2024 Record
Record: 2 - 10
Record vs Spread: 5 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 4 - 8
Record on Road: 0 - 6
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 7 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 4 - 0

Projected Score
Western Kentucky 35
Kennesaw State 12

Total Points: 47

Based on Last 4 Games
Western Kentucky 28
Kennesaw State 15

Total Points: 43

Based on Entire Season
Western Kentucky 28
Kennesaw State 17

Total Points: 45

Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.3
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.5

Western Kentucky's 2024 Record
Record: 8 - 6
Record vs Spread: 7 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 8
Record at home: 5 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	10/30	Western Kentucky	31	Kennesaw State	14	Western Kentucky -24	Kennesaw State	49.0	Under

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Western Kentucky	1	0	0 Overs
Kennesaw State	0	1	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 0	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 1	1 - 0	0 - 0	1 - 0

(#131) KENN at (#92) WKU

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	KENN	WKU
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#131	#92
SP+SP+	#132	#78
Perf GradeGrade	#129	#64
OffenseOff	#135	#60
DefenseDef	#89	#81
Spec TeamsST	#15	#79
TalentTal	#1	#1
Blue ChipsBC%	#102	#82

Kennesaw State Notes(12/18) Hired HC Jerry Mack (Jags RB)
(11/18) 18 players transferring after Bonohan fired
(11/18) Fight w/ Sam H, Def played great, almost held
(11/12) Best DT Chris Hummer portaled after HC fired
(11/10) Fired HC Bonohan, OC Burks Int (Utep L)
(10/23) Program defining W (Liberty) QB Bryson good
(10/16) Worst Off, QBs are unplayable. Def owned MTSU
(10/15) 4 man QB battle now, starter Bryson's been awful
(10/4) Off worst in CFB, QBs awful, run game worse
(9/1) Run D great vs UTSA, RG awful (1.3 ypc). QB still ?
(8/3) Held back players LY for depth TY, ball control O
(8/3) DB's poss worst in CUSA, wait & see rest
Kennesaw State Injury Report

Western Kentucky Notes(12/18) Zero Rgame/OL bad in bowl. QB Vetkamp great
(12/2) Veltkamp good in Jax St upset, great 3rd down D
(11/25) 2 str L's as R Def mauled by Lib. Likely out race
(11/18) Shocking L to La Tech, Off esp Rgame awful
(11/18) Def all. 209 yds, 4.3 ypc to La Tech? 2-11 on 3rd
(11/1) Beating CUSA teams by 3 TD's, 20 ppg margin Oct
(10/16) Even w/ SHSU until backup QB. Vetlkamp great W
(10/10) Def #'s skewed by Bama game. Not great but Avg
(10/4) QB Veltkamp has WR options, Rgame v bad so far
(9/28) Outgained/played BC. 3 TOs killer. Veltkamp OK
(9/23) Big W over Tol. 3-12 on 3rd but forced 4 TOs
(8/3) TO luck big LY, regression? Off Great, D Awful
Western Kentucky Injury Report

Kennesaw State on Offense

Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	KENN Off	WKU Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#135	#81
SuccessSuc	#133	#102
ExplosiveExp	#78	#36
PPAPPA	#134	#95
PowerPwr	#132	#86
SP+SP+	#134	#62
Pts POPPO	#103	#54
HavocHav	#84	#122

Kennesaw State Run Game

Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	KENN Off	WKU Def
Run GameRun	#129	#98
Run SuccessRSuc	#134	#113
Run ExplRExp	#51	#35
PPAExp	#130	#103
Run BlockR Blk	#104	-
OL YdsOLY	#134	#116
Stuff RateStuff	#128	#128
TackleTak	-	#6

Kennesaw State Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 58%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	KENN Off	WKU Def
Pass GamePass	#136	#90
Pass SuccessPSuc	#129	#60
Pass ExplPExl	#52	#128
PPAExp	#133	#99
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#132	#42
F7 HavocF7	#115	#88
DB HavocDB	#24	#132

Western Kentucky on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	WKU Off	KENN Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#60	#89
SuccessSuc	#83	#114
ExplosiveExp	#33	#23
PPAPPA	#66	#93
PowerPwr	#71	#97
SP+SP+	#101	#118
Pts POPPO	#78	#102
HavocHav	#73	#112

Western Kentucky Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	WKU Off	KENN Def
Run GameRun	#114	#100
Run SuccessRSuc	#117	#91
Run ExplRExp	#75	#73
PPAExp	#121	#86
Run BlockR Blk	#82	-
OL YdsOLY	#108	#75
Stuff RateStuff	#103	#36
TackleTak	-	#35

Western Kentucky Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	WKU Off	KENN Def
Pass GamePass	#26	#81
Pass SuccessPSuc	#33	#122
Pass ExplPExl	#59	#8
PPAExp	#28	#86
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#5	#83
F7 HavocF7	#87	#93
DB HavocDB	#56	#119

Program Comparison
WKU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'24 Profile: Remains Top G5

KENN 5 Year Profile: Improving Poor G5
'24 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 73° - Wind: 7 mph

Rematch from Week 10
Western Kentucky -24.0 (49.0)
Western Kentucky won vs Kennesaw State this year (31-14)

Previous Matchups
Western Kentucky beat Kennesaw State last year (31-14)

KENN's OC Chandler Burks (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Davis Bryson	143	261	55%	1494	6	10	5.7
Khalib Johnson	6	22	27%	57	0	3	2.6

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Michael Benefield	138	542	5	3.9	59
Qua Ashley	122	409	1	3.4	60
Davis Bryson	112	293	4	2.6	20
Preston Daniels	35	85	3	2.4	6

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Blake Bohannon	24	288	0	12.0	32
Qua Ashley	28	255	1	9.1	51
Christian Moss (Tr)	15	220	2	14.7	60
Carson Kent	18	217	3	12.1	30

View Kennesaw State's Full Roster

KENN's DC Greg Harris (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Donelius Johnson	89	8	4	1	0
Sidney Porter	66	5	0	2	2
Milon Jones	60	4	1	0	1
JeRico Washington Jr.	59	0	0	0	6

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Garland Benyard	48	9	4	5	0
Donelius Johnson	89	8	4	1	0
Tylon Dunlap (Tr)	22	5	3	2	2
Jordan Miles	45	8	3	6	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tyler Hallum	56	1	0	0	10
JeRico Washington Jr.	59	0	0	0	6
Jayven Williams	29	2	2	1	4

WKU's OC Will Friend (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Caden Veltkamp	258	389	66%	3108	25	10	8.0
TJ Finley (Tr)	48	75	64%	490	1	2	6.5

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Elijah Young	201	883	3	4.4	30
George Hart III (Tr)	44	204	2	4.6	30
Caden Veltkamp	113	150	7	1.3	25
LT Sanders	21	103	1	4.9	31

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Kisean Johnson (Tr)	75	925	7	12.3	51
Easton Messer	55	793	4	14.4	64
Dalvin Smith	30	397	4	13.2	65
K.D. Hutchinson	26	392	3	15.1	74

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Tyson Summers (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Devonte' Mathews (Tr)	99	2	0	0	0
Keyshawn Swanson (Tr)	63	2	0	0	2
Hosea Wheeler	62	4	2	2	0
Chandler Matthews (Tr)	59	3	0	3	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Darius Thomas	54	7	4	3	0
Sebastian Benjamin	56	6	4	5	0
Kylan Guidry	45	7	3	0	1
Kent Robinson (Tr)	33	4	2	0	4

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Anthony Johnson Jr.	48	5	0	1	6
Kent Robinson (Tr)	33	4	2	0	4
Keyshawn Swanson (Tr)	63	2	0	0	2