NEWBERRY, S.C. – No. 6 Kentucky State's historic season and first NCAA Division II playoff berth came to an end Saturday with a 45-24 loss to No. 3 Newberry in the first round of the championship.
 
Kentucky State controlled the ground game, outgaining the Wolves 154–126 and averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Chad Elzy led all rushers with 96 yards and added two touchdowns to pace the Thorobreds. His teammate Jaylen Middleton averaged 7 yards per carry and rushed for a total of 43 yards.
 
Kentucky State's defense carried its intensity into the playoffs, forcing two turnovers, including an interception by Jordan Thompson and a forced fumble by Michael Daniels. The Thorobreds added a 17-yard sack and recorded two tackles for loss totaling 19 yards, leading the contest in both categories.
 
On defense, Lawrence McConnell shined on the national stage, pacing all defenders with a game-high 11 tackles.
 
Matt Bolanos showed why he is among the top punters in Division II, averaging 48.2 yards per punt, highlighted by a 56-yarder. Leland Gantz added to the strong special teams performance with a 17-yard field goal and a perfect 3-for-3 effort on PATs.
 
2025 SIAC Coach of the Year Felton Huggins Jr. guided the Thorobreds to a 7–1 record in SIAC play and a 9–3 overall finish — Kentucky State's best season since 1935.
 
How It Happened
First Quarter
13:59 – NC – Rico Dorsey Jr. hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Reed Charpia. 2 plays, 75 yards, 1:01. Newberry 8, Kentucky State 0
 
10:44 – KSU – Leland Gantz put the Thorobreds on the board with a 17-yard field goal. 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:15. Newberry 8, Kentucky State 3
 
5:30 – NBY – Jonah Norris punched in a 1-yard touchdown run. 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:14. Newberry 15, Kentucky State 3
 
2:08 – KSU – Jaun Gainous found his way into the end zone from one yard out. 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:22. Newberry 15, Kentucky State 10
 
Second Quarter
11:28 – NC – Norris scored again on a 1-yard run, his second touchdown of the afternoon. 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:35. Newberry 21, Kentucky State 10
 
3:36 – NC – Burke Nettles connected on a 33-yard field goal. 8 plays, 37 yards, 4:34.
Newberry 24, Kentucky State 10
 
0:42 – NC – DeAndre Coleman caught a 24-yard touchdown from Charpia. 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:20. Newberry 31, Kentucky State 10
 
Third Quarter
4:32 – KSU – Chad Elzy broke loose for a 9-yard touchdown, pulling the Thorobreds within two scores. 12 plays, 60 yards, 6:28. Newberry 31, Kentucky State 17
 
1:00 – KSU – Elzy scored again—this time from 30 yards out—to trim the deficit to one score. 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:54. Newberry 31, Kentucky State 24
 
Fourth Quarter
11:47 – NC – Norris added a receiving touchdown, hauling in a 4-yard pass from Charpia for his third score of the game. 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:13. Newberry 38, Kentucky State 24
 
2:08 – NC – Kenmane Brunson tacked on a rushing touchdown from 5 yards out to seal the win. 4 plays, 16 yards, 1:47. Newberry 45, Kentucky State 24
 
 
                                                                                      
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