Shepherd passes for 4 TDs, Kennesaw St. beats Robert Morris

Associated Press | Saturday, November 6, 2021 6:50 p.m.

Metro Creative

MOON — Xavier Shepherd passed for four touchdowns on just eight completions, and Kennesaw State beat Robert Morris, 45-21, on Saturday.

Kennesaw State jumped out to a 14-0 lead after Robert Morris fumbled on its first two possessions — both recovered by Kennesaw State lineman Tyler Moore.

Shepherd tied KSU’s single-season passing touchdown record at 13 with a 42-yard connection with Adeolu Adeleke to make it 42-14 late in the third quarter.

Shepherd was 8-of-12 passing for 185 yards and carried it 14 times for 44 yards for Kennesaw State (8-1, 5-0 Big South), which is ranked No. 8 in the FCS Coaches’ Poll. Caleb O’Neal had 119 yards receiving and two scores, and freshman Gabriel Benyard rushed for a 49-yard touchdown.

Nathan Robertson set a program record for the longest field goal, making a 48-yarder to extend Kennesaw State’s lead to 45-14.

George Martin led Robert Morris (3-5, 2-3) with 293 yards passing and two touchdowns. Alijah Jackson had 91 yards rushing and a TD.