Box Score ETTRICK, Va. – Kentucky State kept Virginia State's offense off the scoreboard, but the difference proved to be two special teams touchdowns as the Thorobreds fell 14-7 to the Trojans on Saturday at Rogers Stadium.

It was a low scoring game dominated by both of the defenses, but the difference came in the punt game, where Virginia State came up with both of its touchdowns off of Kentucky State punts from its own end zone. After nearly three full quarters of scoreless play, the Trojans went up 7-0 when Jaivon Smallwood returned a punt 32 yards for a touchdown. With two minutes remaining in the game, the Trojans doubled their lead when Trevon Byron blocked a Thorobreds punt in the end zone and fell on it to go up 14-0.

Down by two touchdowns and without starting quarterback Ora Johnson, who was injured earlier in the fourth quarter, the Thorobreds continued to battle until the final whistle. Alex Springs, who came on in place of Johnson, went 5-of-6 on Kentucky State's final possession, leading the team 72 yards in 1:30, including a 36-yard completion to Charles Johnson and a 13-yard touchdown to Bryan Henderson. Though Kentucky State found itself within a touchdown at 14-7 with 34 seconds remaining, Virginia State was able to fall on a Turner Warren onside kick attempt and run out the clock to preserve the victory.

The late scoring was a contrast to the first three quarters in which the defense controlled the game and a slew of penalties kept either side from capitalizing on the scoring opportunities they did create. The teams combined for a total of 23 penalties for 218 yards, with the Thorobreds being flagged for 11 penalties for 87 yards and the Trojans tallying 12 penalties for 131 yards.

The closest opportunity of the scoreless first half came when Raymond Malone stripped Smallwood after a reception and recovered the fumble, setting the Thorobreds up at the Trojans' 36-yard-line with 1:05 left before the half. Ora Johnson scrambled to a first down at the six-yard-line with 24 seconds remaining, but a sack on the ensuing play brought about a 32-yard field goal attempt which sailed wide.

In the third quarter, it was the Thorobreds who turned back a Virginia State scoring opportunity after a 73-yard reception by Stephen Mines set the Trojans up with first and goal at the one-yard-line. The Thorobreds defense held for a goal line stand, with Lydell Simon stopping Trenton Cannon for a loss of three yards on fourth down. Unfortunately for the Thorobreds, however, it was the field position from the goal line stand that helped put the Trojans in position for the punt return touchdown four plays later.

Overall, the numbers were similar, with Kentucky State picking up 88 yards rushing and 168 passing for 256 total, while Virginia State had 121 yards on the ground and 171 through the air for 292 total. Ora Johnson finished with 86 yards passing and Springs with 82, while Ora Johnson and Kyle Jackson each had 32 yards rushing to lead the Thorobreds. Charles Johnson was the team's top receiver with six catches for 95 yards. On the defensive side, Jermaine Graham was Kentucky State's top tackler with eight. Vincent Edwards had five solo tackles with two coming for loss, while Malone finished with four tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

With the loss, Kentucky State falls to 0-3 on the season, while Virginia State improves to 2-1. The Thorobreds are back on the road next week when they travel to take on Central State in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. For more information on the Circle City Classic or to order tickets, click HERE.