Kennesaw State Wraps Spring Practice With Eyes on a Big September
By faNILy Team ·
Kennesaw State football put a bow on spring practice Saturday morning with its 2026 Spring Game at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium. Clear skies, a good crowd, and the first real look at the Owls since they won Conference USA last fall.
How the day went
KSU kept it practice-style, which is honestly the best way to watch a spring game. The program opened with individual drills, one-on-ones, and 7-on-7 work before moving into a full scrimmage with multiple series on both sides of the ball. Admission was free with tickets claimed in advance, gates opened at 9:30, and kickoff was at 10:30 a.m.
It was the program's second spring under head coach Jerry Mack, and the vibe was a team trying to build on a title rather than chase one.
Why this fall is a big one
The Owls' 2026 schedule, released in March, has a September that should get anybody in Cobb County paying attention:
- Sept. 3 vs. West Georgia – the opener, at home under the lights
- Sept. 12 vs. Georgia State – an in-state matchup at home
- Sept. 19 at Tennessee – a return for Mack, who coached the Vols' running backs from 2021-23
- Sept. 26 at Arkansas State – a trip to Mack's alma mater
Then on Wednesday, Oct. 7, KSU gets Jax State at home in a rematch of the 2025 Conference USA Championship. In all, the Owls have six home games.
The fan angle
Spring games are where a lot of fans first learn names. You see the backup quarterback make a throw, a freshman corner break up a pass, a walk-on make a play, and suddenly you've got a new favorite player before the season starts. That's a big deal at a program like KSU, where the national spotlight doesn't arrive automatically and the fan base is still growing.
A trip to an SEC stadium in September is the kind of game that introduces a whole roster to a much bigger audience. For KSU players, that's real exposure. For KSU fans, it's a chance to show up and be loud.
Reigning conference champs, a Thursday-night opener, an in-state rival, and an SEC road trip in the first month. That's a September worth circling.
What to watch this summer
- Roster moves. Spring is followed by summer workouts, and every program is managing its roster in the revenue-sharing era.
- Who emerged. Keep an eye on which players KSU features over the summer. That usually tells you who the staff is counting on.
- Ticket demand for September. Home games against West Georgia and Georgia State should draw well with the momentum from last season.
We're based in Georgia and we'll be watching the Owls closely this fall. Spring is in the books. The countdown to Sept. 3 is on.