FRANKFORT, Ky. — Savannah State erased a 13-point halftime deficit and twice held the lead in the fourth quarter, but Kentucky State scored with 21 seconds remaining to hand the Tigers a heartbreaking 27-24 SIAC loss Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
The Tigers generated 481 yards of total offense and scored all 24 of their points after halftime. However, a 48-yard touchdown pass from Kentucky State quarterback Juan Gainous to Aiyon Carter in the closing seconds proved decisive.
Savannah State fell to 1–7 overall and 1–6 in SIAC play, while Kentucky State improved to 7–2 overall and 6–1 in conference action.
Kentucky State opened the scoring when Lawrence McConnell returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown with 10:22 remaining in the first quarter. The Thorobreds extended their advantage to 13–0 on a five-yard touchdown pass from Gainous to Darius Cyprian with 5:14 left before halftime.
Savannah State wasted little time responding after the break. Rashawn Truell connected with freshman receiver Tristan Sizemore for a 77-yard touchdown just 1:34 into the third quarter. Joshua Woodley's extra point trimmed the deficit to 13–7.
The Tigers continued to chip away later in the quarter, putting together a 14-play, 70-yard possession that ended with Woodley's 20-yard field goal at the 4:31 mark, bringing SSU within 13–10.
Savannah State's defense kept Kentucky State scoreless throughout the third quarter and provided another stop early in the fourth following an interception. The Tigers then mounted a 14-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that consumed 8:09. Fabian Walker finished the possession with a four-yard scoring run, and Woodley's extra point gave Savannah State its first lead, 17–13, with 5:16 remaining.
Kentucky State answered with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Gainous to Cyprian, reclaiming a 20–17 advantage with 3:57 left.
The Tigers responded again. Walker found Sizemore for a 59-yard completion to the Kentucky State one-yard line, setting up Truell's one-yard touchdown plunge. Woodley remained perfect on extra points, putting Savannah State ahead 24–20 with 1:10 remaining.
The Thorobreds followed with a six-play, 76-yard scoring drive, capped by Gainous' touchdown strike to Carter with 21 seconds left. Savannah State advanced to the Kentucky State 18-yard line on its final possession, highlighted by Walker's 43-yard completion to Joshua Okeleye, but time expired before the Tigers could run another play.
Sizemore led Savannah State's receiving corps with three catches for 153 yards and a touchdown. Truell completed eight of 15 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Walker completed four of five attempts for 128 yards and rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Kendarius Brown paced the Tigers' ground attack with 56 yards on 15 carries. Rodney Hill added 50 yards on seven attempts as Savannah State finished with 221 rushing yards and 260 passing yards, outgaining Kentucky State 481–309.
Defensively, Kaiden Stanciel recorded a team-high seven tackles, two pass breakups and an interception. Amaari Smith added six tackles and an interception, while Trevor Strowbridge also finished with six stops. Zamarian Williams collected an interception, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
Adonis Brazil registered two sacks for a combined loss of 16 yards, and Jamari Hinton added another sack. The Tigers held Kentucky State to 21 rushing yards and intercepted three passes.
Savannah State returns to action Saturday, October 31, traveling to Columbia, South Carolina, to face Benedict College. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
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