Eric Boggs 
Kennesaw State upset undefeated Liberty for their first FBS victory.
With the expansion to a 12-team College Football Playoff this season, Group of 5 teams have a chance to reach the big stage. The top five conference champions are guaranteed spots, and Liberty, sitting at 5-0, was in prime position. However, their journey took a sharp turn on Wednesday night, as the Flames fell 27-24 to winless Kennesaw State in a stunning upset.
Liberty entered the game as a heavy favorite, with an undefeated record and a single vote in the AP Top 25 poll, positioning them as the fifth-highest-ranked Group of 5 team. A 3-0 Conference USA record had them in the driver’s seat for a conference title—and potentially a playoff spot. But Kennesaw State, winless at 0-6, defied the odds to capture their first victory of the season, delivering a significant blow to Liberty’s playoff hopes.
Liberty started strong with quarterback Kaidon Salter connecting with Treon Sibley for a touchdown on their first drive. Kennesaw State answered quickly with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Davis Bryson to Christian Moss, and a second-quarter score from Michael Benefield gave the Owls a 14-7 lead. Liberty fought back, tying the game before halftime on Salter’s pass to Donte Lee. However, Kennesaw State’s momentum surged in the second half, as Qua Ashley punched in a 6-yard touchdown, putting the Owls back on top. Despite Liberty’s efforts, they could only manage a field goal on the next drive.
Two fourth-quarter field goals from Kennesaw State’s Austin Welch pushed the Owls’ lead to 27-17. Liberty managed to close the gap with a late touchdown to make it 27-24, but their final drives fell short. The game marked Kennesaw State’s first-ever win against an FBS opponent since their program began in 2015 and shattered Liberty’s longest active regular-season winning streak.
The Flames totaled 383 yards on offense, including 203 passing yards and three touchdowns from Salter, but costly penalties and a turnover on downs helped seal their fate. Kennesaw State’s controlled play—including nine penalties that cost Liberty 100 yards—was essential for their upset. Bryson went 16 of 20 for 189 yards, keeping drives alive and clock moving, which proved crucial down the stretch.
With Liberty’s loss, other Group of 5 contenders now find a clearer path toward the playoffs. Boise State currently leads the pack, ranked 17th, with Army and Navy just behind at 23 and 24. For the Flames, the loss creates a tougher road to a potential playoff spot, despite their strong start to the season.
As the first CFP rankings release on November 5, the stakes continue to rise. But for Kennesaw State, the win proved monumental, bringing pride to a program still seeking its place in FBS football.
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