Jonathan Murphy threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third, all over 50 yards, as Kennesaw State University scored 38 unanswered points to defeat Tusculum University 38-7 in the 2023 season opener Thursday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
Murphy connected with Tykeem Wallace on a 54-yard touchdown and Blake Bohannon on a 55-yard score, and ran for a 55-yard touchdown as the Owls (1-0) broke open a close game with four touchdowns in the final 19 minutes. Tusculum held a 7-0 lead after the first quarter, but was outgained 411-257 over the final three periods by Kennesaw State, which is playing as an FCS independent before moving to FBS and Conference USA in 2024.
Preston Roberts passed for 179 yards and a touchdown to Ethan Stinnett in his first career start for the Pioneers (0-1), but was picked off four times as Tusculum turned the ball over five times in the game. The Pioneers drove five times into Owls territory in the game but came away with just one score. Murphy completed 12-of-18 passes for 219 yards and two scores without a turnover for the Owls, with 167 of his 219 yards coming on four completions.
Earnest Johnson III led the Pioneers with 11 tackles while Rowell had seven stops and Wesley Scott added six. Jalen Barnum paced the Owls with nine tackles in the contest.
Tusculum will be back on the road on Saturday, Sept. 9 to face Virginia State in a non-conference game beginning at 2 p.m. The Trojans have won the previous two meetings with the Pioneers, including a 24-10 victory in the last matchup in 2016.
