Kennesaw State pulls away at Campbell’s Homecoming

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Oct 24, 2021 | Campbell, News & Features

Bryant Barr carries for a fourth-quarter first down for Campbell.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

BUIES CREEK — Xavier Shepherd passed for two touchdowns and ran in another, leading No. 11 Kennesaw State over Campbell, 30-7, in college football on Saturday at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The Owls (6-1, 3-0 Big South) remained unbeaten in Big South Conference games, dealing Campbell (3-4, 2-2) its second straight loss.

Campbell welcomed its seventh consecutive homecoming sellout crowd (5,977).

Kennesaw State outscored CU 23-0 in the second half, with Nathan Robertson giving the Owls their first lead of the day with a 46 yard field goal in the third quarter. Shepherd’s 52 yard pass to Nykeem Farrow on KSU’s next possession made it a 17-7 lead for the Owls with 4:59 to go in the third quarter.

The Camels looked to answer on their next drive, marching into KSU territory with a 13 play, 57 yard drive, but missed a 32 yard field goal try wide right.

After a Kennesaw State punt, Campbell again constructed a long drive, this time 10 plays for 54 yards, but its field goal attempt was blocked by Tyler Scott and returned by Je’Cory Burks for a 75 yard touchdown with 6:15 remaining in the game.

The Owls tacked on another TD with time expiring, with Shepherd finding Gabriel Benyard for a four yard score.

Campbell struck first in the game with its fourth defensive touchdown of the year, with C.J. Tillman knocking the ball loose and Levi Wiggins returning it 94 yards for the longest fumble return in CU’s history.

Kennesaw State rolled up 370 yards of total offense, including 258 yards on the ground, holding Campbell without a score in all three of its red zone opportunities.

Shepherd completed 8-of-14 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, also running for 52 yards and another TD. Kyle Glover also ran for 66 yards, while Adeolu Adeleke added 63 rushing yards for the Owls. Evan Thompson led KSU with 10 tackles, including 1.0 for loss, while Chance Bates made six stops with an interception.

Bryan Barr led Campbell with 77 yards rushing on 14 carries, while Caleb Snead made seven catches for 55 yards. Wiley Hartley completed 13-of-23 passes for 104 yards and two interceptions. Defensively, Keshawn Thompson posted a game-high 12 tackles, while Darion Slade and Tillman made 11 stops each.

The Camels head on the road for their next two dates, first traveling to Charleston Southern on October 30, before stepping outside of Big South play at top-10 ranked (Football Championship Subdivision) James Madison on November 6.

Campbell returns to Barker-Lane Stadium for its 2021 home finale on November 13, hosting Hampton.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)