Box Score FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State football team put up a strong fight against a nationally ranked opponent, but the Thorobreds eventually suffered a 38-28 loss to No. 18 Tuskegee in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game on Saturday at Alumni Stadium.
Tuskegee jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and would lead by 14 or more points on three separate occasions in the game, but the Thorobreds battled back each time. The Golden Tigers outgained Kentucky State 345-287 and took advantage of multiple big plays, including a 73-yard touchdown run by Kenno Loyal, a 74-yard touchdown run by Dennis Norfleet, and an 88-yard blocked field goal return by Michael Robinson. However, Kentucky State was able to stay in the game by forcing and recovering three fumbles while blocking two punts, including one in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Tigers got the scoring started on the first series of the game when they went 63 yards in nine plays, capped by a five-yard touchdown run by Tyree Brooks. Later in the quarter, Loyal put Tuskegee up 14-0 when he broke his 74-yard run.
Trailing by two touchdowns, the Kentucky State offense got warmed up in the second quarter. The Thorobreds got on the board with a 10-play, 82-yard drive that included a 23-yard run by
Reginal Harris and a 21-yard touchdown pass from
Ora Johnson to
Charles Johnson. On the ensuing Tuskegee possession,
Brentton Ervin forced a fumble that was recovered by
Ryan Luckett, setting the Thorobreds up with a short field at the Tuskegee 38-yard-line. With a long run by Harris again putting Kentucky State in position to score, the Thorobreds were in the end zone five plays later on a six-yard touchdown pass from
Ora Johnson to
Lavelle Cloyd.
Though Kentucky State had the momentum at the time, the Thorobreds suffered a blow when
Terrell Johnson was injured on the ensuing kickoff. After a break, the Tigers went back in front on Norfleet's touchdown two plays later, and Loyal added another touchdown before the half on a nine-yard run.
Tuskegee tacked on three more points early in the second half on a Kemuel Lawrence field goal, but Kentucky State again battled back. Late in the quarter, the Thorobreds put together an 11-play, 64-yard drive, with
William Johnson scoring from two yards out to make the score 31-21.
In striking distance early in the fourth quarter, the Thorobreds were unable to take advantage of two breaks to come their way.
Trevon Spencer forced a fumble at midfield on the second play of the quarter, but Kentucky State went three-and-out upon getting the ball back. The Thorobreds later blocked a Tuskegee punt and took over at the four-yard-line, but they soon wound up on the wrong end of a 14-point swing. A Harris touchdown was called back on a penalty, and Tuskegee blocked the Thorobreds' field goal attempt, taking it back 88 yards for a touchdown and a 38-21 lead.
Two possessions later, Kentucky State again blocked a punt, this time with
Moronkie Tapper recovering in the end zone for a touchdown. Within 10 points with four minutes remaining, Kentucky State recovered a
Bill Rose onside kick, only to see its drive stall with a turnover on downs at the Tuskegee 29-yard-line. The Tigers were able to pick up two first downs and run out the clock upon getting the ball back.
Harris finished with a season-high 128 yards rushing on 15 carries, while
Ora Johnson finished with 123 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Charles Johnson was the Thorobreds' leading receiver with three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. Defensively,
Nathaniel Robinson led the way for Kentucky State with 12 tackles, nine solo tackles, and 1.5 tackles for loss.
The loss drops Kentucky State to 2-6 on the season, 2-3 in SIAC competition, and 1-2 in SIAC West Division play, which determines the divisional representatives in the SIAC Championship. Tuskegee improves to 7-1 overall, 6-0 in the conference, and 3-0 in the West Division. The Thorobreds are back in action when they travel to take on Lane College next Saturday in Jackson, Tenn.
