(BCSNN) - With under a minute remaining, quarterback Amari Odom found wide receiver Navelle Dean for an 11-yard touchdown pass to lift Kennesaw State to a 19–15 victory over Jacksonville State in the Air National Guard Conference USA Championship Friday night at AmFirst Stadium.

The Owls (10–3) captured their first CUSA crown in dramatic fashion, overcoming a late rally by the Gamecocks (8–5). Odom, named Championship MVP, engineered the decisive drive after Jax State had taken a 15–12 lead with 4:04 left. Facing third-and-27, Odom scrambled for 14 yards on fourth down to keep the drive alive, then benefitted from a personal foul that moved the ball to the 11-yard line. On the next play, he delivered the go-ahead strike to Dean in the back of the end zone.

Kennesaw State’s defense sealed the win in the final minute. Freshman defensive lineman Elijah Hill recorded his second sack of the game to force third-and-20, and two incompletions ended Jacksonville State’s hopes.

The Owls built a 10–0 lead behind a three-yard touchdown run from Coleman Bennett and a 38-yard field goal by Britton Williams. Defensive lineman Marcus Patterson added a safety — the first in a CUSA Championship since 2007 — to make it 12–0. Jacksonville State rallied late, scoring twice in the fourth quarter and converting a two-point attempt to briefly take the lead.

Bennett finished with 82 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Christian Moss led the receivers with five catches for 75 yards. Defensively, linebacker Tywon Christopher had seven tackles, Baron Hopson added six, and Milon Jones intercepted a pass in the end zone.

The victory extended Kennesaw State’s home winning streak to 12 games and capped a historic season. The Owls now await their first-ever bowl destination, to be announced following conference championship weekend.