The NFL is proud of the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on professional football. Throughout the league’s history, athletes from HBCUs have exemplified a standard of excellence on and off the field. HBCUs are starting to return to the spotlight, especially in Kentucky.
After a rough start to the season, the Kentucky State Thoroughbreds have turned things around. After homecoming weekend. Kentucky State has won three games in a row. Christopher Coneway scored two of the five Kentucky State rushing touchdowns in a 41-22 defeat of the Allen Yellow Jackets at Alumni Stadium. The game’s first points came from a 35-yard pass by the Yellow Jackets Montrell White to Michael Reese. Jai Nunn-Liddell blocked the Yellow Jackets extra point to leave 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Photo Cred: State Journal
KSU’s Jaylen Myers completed a 49-yard touchdown pass to Dariaze Kirkland, and Mason Molique’s point-after kick gave the Thoroughbred’s a 7-6 in the second quarter. Kentucky State extended its lead on a 4-yard run by Coneway. KSU’s Lavale Hill scored on a 6-yard run, and Molique extra point gave KSU a 20-6 Kentucky State halftime lead.
The Thoroughbreds went ahead by 21 points late in the third quarter. Coneway scored on a 1-yard run for a 27-6 advantage. Allen scored early in the fourth quarter and converted on a two-point conversion to close within 27-14. Shaquan Oliver answered with a 21-yard run into the end zone, and just a few moments later, Donte McCall scored from a yard out. Molique hit both point-after kicks to give the Thoroughbreds a 41-14 lead near the end of the fourth quarter.
Allen put the final points on the board on a short pass into the end zone and converted the two-point conversion to make the final score 41-22. KSU, now on a three-game winning streak, plays at Miles College Saturday. The Thoroughbreds are 3-4 overall and 3-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Thoroughbred’s defense was outstanding. Kentucky State’s defense had nine tackles for a loss and five sacks. Jeremiah Owens had three tackles for a loss of 19 yards, as Monte Davis led both teams with 2.5 tackles for a loss of 22 yards. Darrell Dorris Jr. led the contest with 7.5 tackles (6 solos, 3 assists) and one forced fumble. Jaylen Johnson followed behind with six tackles (4 solos, 4 assisted).
Photo Cred: State Journal
Jaden Hale led the Thoroughbreds with 66 rushing yards followed by Hill with 50 with one rushing touchdown. Myers went 4-for-7 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown. Kirkland led his team with 135 all-purpose yards and Hale followed with 106 all-purpose yards.
