Jackson, Tenn.—Kentucky State University football put an end to a four-game losing streak by posting 29 unanswered points in the second half for a 32-5 win over Lane College on Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium.
The Thorobreds (3-6, 2-3) picked up their first win since Sept. 23 when they defeated Central State University in the Circle City Classic, 34-22. KSU has two games remaining on the schedule to try and surpass the win total from 2016, of four wins. The Dragons (1-8, 0-5) remain winless against SIAC opponents and haven’t won since week one of the season, back on Sept. 2 against Texas College.
Both squads struggled to put points on the board in the first half, as they entered the locker with LC leading 5-3. KSU received the ball to start the third quarter and began to march down the field for 63 yards on nine plays for a four-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Brett Sylve, putting the green and gold up 11-5 after a two-point conversion.
The Dragons looked to answer back on the following series, but the KSU secondary proved to be a tough puzzle to solve as sophomore defensive back Jaylin Wesley snagged an interception on the KSU 34-yard line, returning it 66 yards for his first career touchdown. The pick six was the second in as many weeks by the Thorobreds’ defense.
Not to be outdone, the KSU offense answered again in the latter part of the third quarter. Sylve broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown scamper, putting an end to a seven play, 87-yard drive giving the Thorobreds a commanding 26-5 lead with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
Junior quarterback Michael Simpson turned in a solid performance for his first career start as he connected with junior tight end Marquese Livers for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The Dayton, Ohio native finished with 100 yards on 14-of-21 through the air for one touchdown and one interception. He added 44 rushing yards on six carries, averaging a little over seven yards a carry.
Sylve recorded his fourth consecutive game of over one-hundred yards rushing as he accumulated 111 yards on 22 attempts, along with two touchdowns. He currently ranks in the top three of the SIAC in rushing yards with 899 and ranks in the top three in rushing touchdowns with six.
Senior defensive end Rodriquez Jones led the Thorobreds in tackles with nine and a sack. Jones ranks No. 7 in the SIAC with four and a half sacks.
Sophomore defensive tackle Chris Roberts followed up his career day from a week ago against Tuskegee University by leading KSU in tackles for a loss with three and picked up five tackles.