FRANKFORT, Ky. — A 48-yard touchdown pass from
Juan Gainous to A'iyon Carter with 21 seconds remaining lifted Kentucky State to a 27-24 comeback victory over Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) opponent Savannah State on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
The Senior Day victory improved Kentucky State to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play as the Thorobreds overcame two fourth-quarter deficits to secure the win.
Gainous completed 23 of 32 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns, including two fourth-quarter scoring strikes. Carter led Kentucky State's receiving corps with 10 receptions for 119 yards and the game-winning touchdown, while senior wide receiver
Darius Cyprian added four receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
Kentucky State's defense made its presence felt early as senior defensive back
Lawrence McConnell intercepted Savannah State quarterback Rashawn Truell and returned the ball 84 yards for a touchdown with 10:22 remaining in the opening quarter.
Leland Gantz converted the extra point to give the Thorobreds an early 7-0 advantage.
The Thorobreds extended their lead midway through the second quarter when Gainous connected with Cyprian on a 5-yard touchdown pass, capping a nine-play, 71-yard drive. The unsuccessful extra-point attempt left Kentucky State with a 13-0 lead heading into halftime.
Savannah State (1-7, 1-6 SIAC) responded in the second half, scoring 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to cut the deficit to three. Truell connected with Tristan Sizemore on a 77-yard touchdown pass less than two minutes into the half before Joshua Woodley added a 20-yard field goal with 4:31 remaining in the quarter.
The Tigers continued their momentum into the fourth quarter, putting together a 14-play, 68-yard drive that consumed 8:09. Fabian Walker capped the possession with a 4-yard touchdown run to give Savannah State its first lead of the afternoon, 17-13, with 5:16 remaining.
Kentucky State wasted little time responding.
Gainous orchestrated a three-play, 57-yard drive, finding Cyprian for a 41-yard touchdown with 3:57 remaining. Gantz converted the extra point to put the Thorobreds back in front, 20-17.
Savannah State answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Truell scoring on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. The touchdown gave the Tigers a 24-20 advantage with just 1:10 remaining, setting the stage for Kentucky State's final possession.
Taking over at its own 24-yard line with 1:05 on the clock, Kentucky State marched 76 yards in six plays. Gainous capped the 44-second drive with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Carter, giving the Thorobreds a 27-24 lead with 21 seconds remaining.
Savannah State completed a 43-yard pass on the final play, but the clock expired before the Tigers
could threaten again, sealing Kentucky State's Senior Day victory.
Defensively, McConnell delivered one of the game's standout performances, finishing with nine tackles, two interceptions, an 84-yard interception return for a touchdown and a sack. His second interception came in the fourth quarter and helped halt a Savannah State possession.
Senior defensive back
Roman Hernandez led Kentucky State with 11 tackles, while
Carlos Bazert Jr. added 10 tackles, including four tackles for loss.
Elijah Henderson contributed seven tackles and a pass breakup.
Despite being outgained 481-309 in total offense and holding possession for just 21:40, Kentucky State capitalized on explosive plays in the passing game and timely defensive stops to secure the victory.
The Thorobreds finished with 288 passing yards, while Savannah State totaled 221 rushing yards and controlled possession for 38:20. Kentucky State's offense produced three passing touchdowns, with its final two scoring drives covering a combined 133 yards in just 1:56 of possession.
Kentucky State will have a bye week before heading internationally to Nassau, Bahamas on Nov. 7 for the YES Bahamas HBCU Classic against Morehouse.
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