FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State University delivered an explosive offensive performance Saturday afternoon, defeating Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) opponent Lane College 55-22 at Alumni Stadium during the Thorobreds' Military Appreciation and Frankfort Day celebration.
Kentucky State (6-2, 5-1 SIAC) erupted for 28 first-quarter points and carried a commanding 45-8 advantage into halftime, scoring seven touchdowns while generating 419 yards of total offense.
Senior wide receiver
Darius Cyprian led the offensive attack with six receptions for 111 yards and three touchdowns, while fellow senior
Jaden Hale added 115 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just two catches. Quarterback
Juan Gainous completed 18 of 23 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns.
The Thorobreds wasted little time establishing control, striking on their first offensive play when Gainous connected with Hale for a 65-yard touchdown just 10 seconds into the contest.
Following a defensive stop, Kentucky State extended its advantage to 14-0 with 9:36 remaining in the opening quarter as Gainous found Hale again, this time for a 50-yard touchdown to cap an eight-play, 70-yard drive.
The Thorobreds continued their offensive surge midway through the quarter. Gainous connected with Cyprian for a 9-yard touchdown with 6:22 remaining before finding him again on a 6-yard scoring reception with 48 seconds left, giving Kentucky State a 28-0 advantage after the opening 15 minutes.
Kentucky State carried that momentum into the second quarter as James Minor scored on a 10-yard rushing touchdown with 9:27 remaining, extending the lead to 35-0.
Lane (0-8, 0-6 SIAC) answered with its first touchdown of the afternoon when Crishon Overton connected with Antonio Welch on a 12-yard scoring pass. A successful two-point conversion narrowed the deficit to 35-8 with 3:14 remaining before halftime.
The Thorobreds responded just 32 seconds later as quarterback
Denim Johnson connected with Cyprian for a 43-yard touchdown, marking Cyprian's third receiving score of the afternoon.
Kentucky State closed the first half with a 22-yard field goal from
Leland Gantz as time expired, taking a 45-8 lead into the locker room.
The Thorobreds' defense continued to disrupt Lane's offensive rhythm throughout the afternoon, recording eight sacks and limiting the Dragons to 80 rushing yards.
Senior defensive back
Lawrence McConnell provided one of the game's key defensive plays, intercepting a pass and returning it 60 yards. Linebacker
Kendrick Curry led Kentucky State with seven tackles, including three tackles for loss, while Kenyon Martin recorded two sacks and recovered a fumble.
Carlos Bazert Jr. added five tackles, two sacks and two quarterback hurries as Kentucky State totaled 16 tackles for loss.
Kentucky State added to its advantage in the third quarter when Gantz connected on a 31-yard field goal with 5:26 remaining, pushing the lead to 48-8.
Lane opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 6-yard touchdown reception by Rkisch Hyppolyte from Tametrius Pogue, trimming the deficit to 48-14.
The Thorobreds responded with a six-play, 52-yard scoring drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from Tyson Martin with 9:26 remaining to extend the advantage to 55-14.
Lane completed the afternoon's scoring with 5:15 remaining when Pogue connected with Joshua Johnson for an 11-yard touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion to produce the 55-22 final.
Kentucky State finished the contest averaging 7.8 yards per offensive play while collecting 288 passing yards and 131 rushing yards. The Thorobreds also converted both fourth-down attempts and held Lane to just one conversion in 13 third-down opportunities.
Gantz was perfect in the kicking game, converting all seven extra-point attempts and both field-goal opportunities.
The Thorobreds will remain at home as they host Savannah State for Senior Day on Saturday, October 24. Kickoff is scheduled 1 p.m.
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