The Kentucky State University football team opens their home slate Saturday, welcoming in the McKendree Bearcats in non-conference action at Alumni Stadium. It's the first of six home games for the Thorobreds this season.

SERIES: This is just the second meeting between the two teams. McKendree won last year's game in Lebanon, IL, 50-0.

THE LAST MEETING: McKendree scored in all facets of the game, offensively, defensively and special teams in posting the shutout victory in 2017. The Bearcats defense recorded a safety and a pick-six, while the Bearcats added a punt and kickoff return for scores.

   Linebacker Phillip Francis had four tackles for loss in the first half, while defensive back Matthew Bizimana forced a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Andre Miles.
   Receiver Jonathan Powell led the Thorobeds in receiving yards for the first time in his career with 54 yards on five catches. Safety Hakeem Adebimpe finished the day with a game-high 10 tackles. Bizimana and Miles each notched seven take downs, while Francis collected six, including five for a loss.

FRANKFORT DAY: When the Thorobreds host McKendree for their home opener on September 8, the KYSU athletic department will be giving complementary admission to Frankfort residents and residents of the 13 surrounding counties. All spectators need to bring identification to receive general admission tickets.

PRESEASON POLLS: In a vote of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) head coaches and sports information directors, the Kentucky State Thorobreds were picked to finish third in the West Division, earning one first-place vote.
   Reigning SIAC champion Tuskegee was picked to win the division, followed by Miles, KYSU, Central State and Lane.
   Albany State was predicted to claim the East Division crown, earning seven of the 10 first-place votes. Following ASU was Benedict, Fort Valley State, Morehouse and Clark.

NEW LOOK OFFENSE: Under new offensive coordinator, Ken Ackerman, the Kentucky State offense rolled up 267 yards rushing against Slippery Rock Saturday. The duo of Brett Sylve and Jules St. Ge combined for 272 yards.

CROWN JULES: After sitting out last season, quarterback Jules St. Ge returned to the gridiron with avengance. The redshirt sophomore completed 83.3 percent of his passes (10-of-12) for 118 yards and an interception. He added 126 yards rushing with two touchdowns.  He only had one rushing score in 2016.
   As the starting quarterback two seasons ago, he completed just 47 percent of his attempts (83-of-175) for 986 yards and seven touchdowns. He threw for eight interceptions.

ALL-CONFERENCE TIMES THREE: Junior running back Brett Sylve was named All-SIAC at three separate positions last season. The Hammond, Louisiana product earned first team honors as a running back and kick returner, and picked up second team laurels as a punt returner.
   Sylve led the SIAC in all-purpose yards at 1,970, good enough for top-five in all of NCAA Division II. He finished second overall in rushing yards at 995 and total touchdowns with nine while being noticed as one of the top returners in the conference. He was first overall in returns yards with 594 and two touchdowns, and in punt returns, he was third overall with 151 yards and one touchdown.

WATCH LIST: After an impressive sophomore season, Brett Sylve enters the season on the  Black College Football Player of the Year award Watch List.
   He is one of 15 players from the SIAC on the preseason list.

CAMPBELL'S SOUP: Senior offensive lineman Marcus Campbell enters the season with a rare opportunity to earn All-SIAC honors for the entirety of his career. He earned second team honors in 2017 after playing every single offensive snap through the first nine games.

HORSEPOWER: Kentucky State returns its top receiver, rusher and passer as the Thorobreds look to rebound from a 3-8 season.
   Paul Campbell threw for 916 yards on 106-of-178 passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games.
   His top target, Demetrious Anderson, is back after hauling in 40 passes for 329 yards and two scores. Running back Brett Sylve was second on the team with 20 catches for 178 yards.
   On the ground, Sylve missed the prestigous 1,000 yard plateau by just five yards, gaining 995 yards on 202 attempts with six touchdowns.

MILES AHEAD: Senior defensive end Andre Miles led the team with 64 tackles despite playing in just nine of the team's 11 games.

NOSE FOR BALL: Junior nose guard Chris Roberts is one of the top returning tacklers for the Thorobreds after finishing with 50 stops last season. His 11 tackles for loss led the team and he was second on the team with four sacks.
   However, he is listed as the second team nose guard for the opener. Sophomore Micah Corley is slated to start against Slippery Rock.
  2 - The number of incompletions by sophomore Jules St. Ge in Saturday's loss to Slippery Rock. The signal caller was 10-of-12 for 118 yards.
5 - Sophomore Zuriel's Rudolph's first quarter interception marked the fifth straight game, dating back to last season, the Thorobreds picked off an opposing quarterback.
31 - Kentucky State scored 31 points in the Saturday's loss to The Rock. It marked the most points scored in a losing effort since the Thorobreds lost to Benedict, 39-35, on November 5, 2016.
7 - The Thorobreds have lost seven of the last eight games, dating back to last season. The last Kentucky State win was a 32-5 victory over Lane a year ago.
2 - With a 77-yard run by Jules St. Ge and a 75-yard run by Brett Sylve, Kentucky State recorded two runs over longer than 70 yards.
5 - St. Ge found five different receivers in his 10 completions. Jordan Level and Malik Saunders hauled in three passes each for KYSU.