HAMPTON, Virginia -- Though Kentucky State was able to dig out of an early 21-0 deficit against Division I opponent Hampton, the Thorobreds' comeback attempt eventually fell short in a 35-20 loss on Saturday at Armstong Stadium in Hampton, Va.Thorobreds quarterback Ora Johnson threw for 131 yards and a touchdown while running for 35 yards and another score, while Kyle Jackson led the way on the ground with 93 yards rushing. On the defensive side, Lydell Simon had a team-high 10 tackles, Nate Robinson had nine tackles with two for loss, and Jermaine Graham had five stops and two interceptions.
After the Thorobreds' first drive stalled at the Hampton 28-yard-line and resulted in a missed field goal, the Pirates began to build a lead. Hampton went 72 yards in eight plays, getting on the scoreboard on a 15-yard touchdown from David Watford to Twarn Mixon, the first of four touchdowns the pair hooked up on to tie a Hampton school record.
The 7-0 score would hold up through the end of the first quarter after Raymond Malone picked off a Watford pass in the end zone. With the Thorobreds' offense struggling to find a rhythm early in the second quarter, Hampton went on to build its lead to 21-0 on a 18-yard touchdown pass from Watford to Dewayne Garrett and a 23-yard strike from Watford to Mixon.
Late in the half is when Kentucky State began to gain momentum, first getting on the scoreboard on a Turner Warren field goal after a 14-play, 67-yard drive. The Thorobreds carried that momentum into the second half where they scored two touchdowns in a three minute span to cut the margin to 21-17.
The first of those scores came when the Thorobreds took advantage of a short field to go 23 yards in four plays, with Johnson finding Reginal Harris in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. On the ensuing Hampton possession, Graham picked off a Watson pass, helping to set up a 42-yard drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by Johnson.
Unfortunately for the Thorobreds, the four point margin was as close as they would come. Hampton answered with a nine-play, 68-yard drive with Watson finding Mixon for a 25-yard touchdown to make the score 28-17. Kentucky State pulled back within one possession on a 33-yard field goal by Warren, then kept the Pirates from scoring with another interception by Graham at the eight yard line.
With a chance to tie, however, the Thorobreds went three-and-out on the ensuing possession. Mixon was able to get behind the Kentucky State defense on the next series for a 55-yard touchdown that brought the score to the final of 35-20.
Leading the way through the air for Hampton on the evening, Watford threw for 345 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Mixon finished with 135 yards receiving and four touchdowns, while Christopher Dukes led the Pirates on the ground with 38 yards.
With the result, Kentucky State opens the year at 0-1 while Hamption starts out at 1-0. The Thorobreds open their home schedule next Saturday when they host Johnson C. Smith at 2 p.m. at Alumni Stadium. Kentucky State will celebrate Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day and Community Outreach Day with festivities beginning at 11 a.m. with Tailgate City presented by the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce.
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COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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