FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State traded blows early but was held scoreless in the second half as Albany State surged to a 49-21 victory Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
 
The Thorobreds (1-1, 1-1 SIAC) matched the Golden Rams score-for-score in the first half, with rushing touchdowns from Jaylen Middleton, Torrence Bardell, and Chad Elzy keeping the game tight. Elzy's 3-yard score with 1:10 left in the second quarter cut the deficit to 28-21 heading into halftime.
 
But Albany State (2-0, 1-0 SIAC) controlled the second half behind quarterback Isaiah Knowles, who accounted for six touchdown passes and a rushing score. The Golden Rams outscored Kentucky State 21-0 after the break, pulling away in the fourth quarter.
 
Elzy paced Kentucky State on the ground with 65 yards on 12 carries, while Middleton and Bardell each added rushing touchdowns. Receiver Darius Cyprian provided a spark with three catches for 106 yards, including a 46-yard grab that set up a score. Bardell threw for 188 yards but was intercepted once and sacked four times.
 
On defense, Lawrence McConnell highlighted the effort with eight tackles and an interception returned 29 yards. Kendrick Curry added eight stops.
 
Kentucky State was limited to 308 total yards compared to Albany State's 475. The Thorobreds also struggled on third down, converting just 3 of 14 attempts.
 
UP NEXT
The Thorobreds will head to Grambling, Louisiana to take on Division I opponent Grambling Sept. 13 at 7:00 p.m. inside of the historic Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.
 
 
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