Saturday, November 27, 2021
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

FCS ROUND 1 SCOREBOARD

Kennesaw State 48, Davidson 21

RECAP

Kennesaw State 48, Davidson 21
KENNESAW, Ga. – Xavier Shepherd was responsible for five touchdowns to lead Kennesaw State past Davidson, 48-21, in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division I Football Championship at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Kennesaw State took control with three touchdowns in the opening 11 minutes as Shepherd ran for two scores and Chance Gamble returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown and a 20-0 lead. Davidson would get on the score board before the first quarter closed as Dyland Sparks broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run, narrowing the deficit to 20-7.

But the Owls scored 21 more points in the second quarter with only Coy Williams' 61-yard touchdown run the Wildcats only response in the frame as the lead expanded to 41-14 at halftime.

Shepherd, the Owls starting quarterback ran for four tochdowns on 13 carries to lead a run attack that finished with 305 yards on 56 carries and was responsible for five touchdowns. Shepherd also completed 4-of-15 passes for 115 yards and threw a touchdown.

Davidson finished with 217 yards on the ground with Dylan Sparks amassing 107 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Coy Williams added 90 yards and a touchdown on his eight carries. Jalen Jefferson added a 45-yard fumble return touchdown in the third quarter.