Playing in a constant rain, the Kentucky State University football team never got on track Saturday as they opened up Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 24-6 loss to rival Central State at Alumni Stadium.

It marked the first time in 11 attempts the Mauraders recorded a win in this rivalry.

Kentucky State (0-4 overall, 0-1 SIAC) remains home 4 p.m. September 29, playing Morehouse College. The unbeaten Maroon Tigers scored 13 fourth-quarter points in their comeback victory over Miles Saturday.

Central State dominated time of possession, holding the ball for more than 40 minutes of the 60-minute game. A proficient running attack was the primary reason for the ball-controlling offense as Kentucky State allowed 226 yards on 55 attempts.

Early on that wasn't the case.

The Thorobreds came out blazing on defense, forcing turnovers in each of their first two possessions. Junior Diego Lewis (Pompano Beach, FL) forced a fumble on Central State's first possession, and then senior Keonte Reynolds (Louisville, KY) recorded his first interception of the season.

Unfortunately, a dropped touchdown pass and subsequent missed field goal kept the game scoreless following the Mauraders' second possession.

The defensive stop seemingly brought the Central State offense to life as they drove 80 yards on 10 plays to claim the lead with a 17-yard touchdown.

KSU quickly responded as Jules St. Ge (Lakeland, FL) capped a seven-play, 56-yard drive with a 13 yard run on the first play of the second quarter. But, a missed PAT allowed Central State to maintain its lead.

After CSU stretched its lead with a field goal midway through the quarter, the Mauraders extended their lead as time expired in the first half. They drove 87 yards in 59 seconds for a touchdown.

For the third time in four games, Kentucky State gave up a score on the first drive of the third quarter as Central State drove 73 yards for the final score of the contest.

Junior linebacker Myrthel Stewart (Glenwood, IL) pulled down a season-high 16 tackles, while Lewis added 10 tackles, one for loss, and two forced fumbles. Reynolds led the team with three tackles for loss with nine total stops, a forced fumble and the aforementioned interception.

St. Ge was 13-of-20 for 144 yards passing and he added 23 yards rushing with the lone score.

Senior Demetrious Anderson (Indianapolis, IN) hauled in six passes for 30 yards, while sophomore Brendan Lawler pulled down a team-high 54 yards.