FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- A slow start and a pair of goal line stands prevented the Kentucky State University football team from securing the victory in their home opener Saturday, falling to McKendree 34-17 at Alumni Stadium."We got off to a very poor start; we made some mistake defensively, let some guys go free," said Kentucky State head coach John L. Smith. "We have to be much smarter, and play better to begin with. But, I was proud of how our guys fought back.
"We got (inside the 20), and didn't get in from the redzone. You lose by three scores, and we get down there one more time, and it becomes a different ballgame. We have to get better with our red zone offense and make sure we get the ball in the endzone. That is on us as coaches and we have to plan better. We are disappointed in a loss, and anytime you lose, you are disappointed."
Playing without starting running back Brett Sylve, the Thorobreds rushing attack still managed to rack up 247 yards on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Jules St. Ge (Lakeland, FL) eclipsed the 100-yard barrier for the second straight game with 108 yards on 14 attempts. St. Ge added 101 yards passing on 14-of-22 passing with one touchdown and zero interceptions.
Senior Demetrius Anderson (Indianapolis, IN) led the team with five catches for 48 yards and one touchdown. Junior running back Malik Saunders added 41 yards on four receptions.
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Junior running back Tyrone Wilkerson finished with 54 yards on 10 carries.
The Bearcats opened the game by scoring on their first two possession with quarterback Reece Metcalf completing all eight of his attempts on the two scoring drives. KSU quickly halved its deficit with a 13-play, 77-yard drive which was culminated with a 12-yard touchdown pass from St. Ge to Anderson.
Following a missed field goal, St. Ge put the Thorobreds in the red zone with a 60-yard gallop. But a penalty stemmed the tide of the drive, and KSU settled for a 26-yard field goal by senior Turner Warren (Louisville, KY).
Both teams traded punts before the Bearcats' offense rediscovered its offensive rhythm. McKendree scored a pair of touchdowns in the last five minutes to take a 17-point advantage, 27-10, into the locker room.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, however, Kentucky State was turned away on the doorsteps of paydirt on its first drive of the quarter. The Thorobreds drove 79 yards on 11 plays, but was stuffed on fourth and goal from the one.
Another explosive play enabled the Bearcats to add to their lead as a 65-yard run was responsible for the final offensive touchdown of the contest.
Junior running back Michael Nero (Louisville, KY) took the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for KSU's first special teams score of the season.
Senior Matthew Bizimana (Louisville, KY) tallied 13 tackles, while junior linebacker Myrthel Stewart (Glenwood, IL) finished with 10 stops.
Kentucky State (0-2 overall) travels to Owensboro 7 p.m. Saturday for another non-conference game, facing Kentucky Wesleyan (0-2 overall).
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY THOROBREDS SPORTS INFORMATION
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