OWENSBORO - A 28-yard interception return with 26 seconds remaining in the game provided the final margin as the Kentucky State University football team fell to Kentucky Wesleyan Saturday, 19-13, in non-conference action at Independent Bank Field.

Senior Turner Warren (Louisville, KY) connected on a 48-yard field goal with 93 seconds remaining to tie the score at 13, and then the KSU defense came up with a huge defensive stand to give the Thorobreds offense a chance. However, the turnover - the second interception of the quarter - sent KSU to the loss.

Kentucky State (0-3 overall) returns home to face Central State (1-2 overall, 1-0 SIAC) in the Thorobreds' Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener. It's the first time in five years this rivalry game will be played on either campus after spending four seasons at the Circle City Classic.

The Thorobreds dominated the first half, scoring on their first and last drives of the half. Sophomore quarterback Jules St. Ge (Lakeland, FL) connected with junior Jordan Level (Detroit, MI) from 14-yards out. The drive was set up as senior Keonte Reynolds (Louisville, KY) forced a fumble. Warren drilled a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

In between the two scoring drives, Kentucky State ventured inside the KWC 30 on two more occasions but failed to tally points. While the KSU offense was moving up and down the field, the defense stymied the Panthers' attack. Kentucky Wesleyan finished the first half with 73 yards of total offense on 22 plays.

However, after the Thorobreds went three-and-out to start the third quarter, Kentucky Wesleyan eclipsed their first half offensive total by going 76 yards on nine plays for its first score of the game. Another KWC third-quarter scoring drive, this one five plays and 53 yards, gave the Panthers the lead. A blocked PAT kept Kentucky State to within a field goal.

On its second drive of the fourth quarter, KSU ventured into Panthers territory for the first time in the second half, and seemingly started regaining its confidence and momentum. But a tipped pass led to an interception. The Thorobreds' defense bowed their back and kept KSU within field goal striking distance thanks to a huge sack by senior Jalen Dingle (Detroit, MI).

The energy injected into the KSU sidelines was palpable and infectious allowing the offense to put together a huge drive. They marched down to deep into KWC territory with eyes on punching the ball into the endzone, but a penalty and negative yardage play had the Thorobreds on the brink of field goal range.

Unfazed, Warren connected on the aforementioned field goal to knot the game at 13.

St. Ge was 17-of-28 passing for 166 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Level was his favorite target with six catches for 85 yards and one score.

Playing without junior running back Brett Sylve, who is out for the season, Kentucky State still managed to rush for 110 yards. Junior Michael Nero (Louisville, KY) finished with 62 yards on nine attempts to lead the way.

Reynolds (Louisville, KY) finished with 11 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and a forced fumble, while junior Myrthel Stewart (Glenwood, IL) added eight tackles and senior Matthew Bizimana (Louisville, KY) registered seven stops.