In 2016, the Golden Bears held a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter against the Thorobreds but gave up two touchdowns in the final 15 minutes that allowed KSU to celebrate a Homecoming win. When Jules St. Ge scored on a 39-yard run with 1:02 remaining, Kentucky State had scored its second fourth-quarter touchdown, erasing a 10-point deficit and grabbing a four-point advantage.
But Miles was able to write a new ending thanks to the heroics of quarterback Daniel Smith and wide receiver Leonard Tyree. The two connected on an 17-yard scoring pass with three seconds left to lift the Golden Bears (2-5, 2-1 SIAC West) to a 24-21 win over the Thorobreds (0-7, 0-3) at Alumni Stadium. The game-winning play concluded a 78-yard drive that took just 45 seconds to complete.
The Golden Bears took over at their own 22-yard line with 48 seconds left. Facing a third-and-5, Smith found Malik Campbell for 12 yards to extend the drive. Two plays later, the duo linked up for a big 41-yard gain that set up the final play.Tyree (three catches, 93 yards), who normally lines up outside, moved into the slot. He faked as if he was going to run a fade to the corner. Instead, he darted towards the middle where Smith delivered a strike for the duo's eighth touchdown connection of the season, which set off a euphoric celebration on the Miles sideline. Kentucky State had one final opportunity on the ensuing kickoff but Miles forced and recovered fumble for the big win that allowed the Golden Bears to avoid its third last-minute loss of the season.
BOX SCORE
The Miles offense carved the KSU defense at will, especially in the passing game. Smith enjoyed the best day of his career, completing 23-of-28 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions or sacks. He completed all nine of his passes in the first half, including a 19-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to Campbell, who had a career-high 127 receiving yards on four catches. Thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Jackson Spradlin, Miles led 10-7 at the break.
The second half saw Miles continue to move the ball. Devising a game plan that heavily featured tight ends Montavious Tinch (nine catches, 71 yards) and DeionTray Fagin (five catches, 42 yards), the Golden Bears picked up chunks of yards at a time. The two caught all 14 of their targets with the biggest coming midway through the third quarter as Tinch collected an 8-yard pass from Smith for a touchdown that gave Miles a 17-7 lead with 4:34 left in third quarter.
Miles would hold that lead until late in the fourth quarter. After officials appeared to miss a KSU fumble that would have given possession back to the Golden Bears, as well as assessing a questionable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (the only penalty accepted against Miles the entire game), the Thorobreds drew closer on a touchdown pass from St. Ge to Paul Campbell before the final touchdown that preceded the final play.
Christian Mays led Miles with a career-high 66 yards rushing while Smith added another 48. Austin Stephens had a team-high seven tackles, Maxel Wells had six tackles (two for loss), and Jamari Smith and Brad Horne each had a sack for the Golden Bears, who play at Lane on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS' SPORTS INFORMATION
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