Box Score Kentucky State comes from behind to beat the Marauders in overtime

Indianapolis, Indiana - For the third straight season, Central State fell victim to rival Kentucky State in Lucas Oil Stadium as the Marauders dropped a hard fought Circle City Classic contest in overtime, 17-14.

KSU dominated time of possession in the first quarter but a stought CSU defense kept the Thororbreds out the endzone. In the second quarter, the Marauder special teams opened the scoring when safety Nehemiah Coward blocked a punt and Devon Cunningham recovered the loose ball and ran it back for the touchdown at the 11:47 mark. KSU marched the ball down to the CSU 35 yard line but Deonate Gary haulted any chance of points with a sack on a failed KSU fourth down attempt. The Marauder defense continued to get the ball back into the hands of the offense when Clim Robbins picked off freshman quarterback Jules St. Ge on the KSU 21 yard line. After three straight plays of no gains, CSU head coach Cedric Pearl decided to go for it on fourth and ten. His decision paid off as Mikiel Clemons found a streaking Marquis Wells for a 29 yard score through the air. With 6:30 left in the first half, CSU took a 14-0 lead. While the Marauders where finding momentum, the KSU turned the ball over three more times before the half. Unfortunately for CSU, the Marauders were unable to capitalize off KSU's miscues as the score remained 14-0 as both teams went into their locker rooms.

The combination of penalties and the absence of SIAC passing leader Lavon Meeks due to an upper body injury contributed to CSU's scoreless third quarter. In a game of strange bounces and unpredictability, the play that was perhaps the most unconventional may have been during KSU's first touchdown drive. On the second play of the drive, a pass deflected off a referee and caught by Dashad Tucker for a perceived interception. After a conference on the field, the officiating crew correctly ruled that the ball was out of bounds and landed incomplete. In addition to having a potential turnover taken away, CSU picked up a personal foul for celebrating on the field. KSU took advantage of a short field as Jakar Turner capped off a 35 yard play drive with a 2-yard touchdown reception with 6:15 left in regulation.

After forcing CSU to once again punt, KSU's Lavelle Cloyd blocked an Isaiah Smith punt. Vincent Edwards recovered the ball in the endzone to even up the score, 14-14, with 3:42 remaining. On the next CSU possession, Clemons overthrew his receiver and into the hands of KSU defender Raymond Malone. Malone returned the ball 47 yards down to the CSU 31 yard line with 32 seconds left. The Marauder defense was able to hold and force extra time thanks to to a Okoye Bozeman sack to take KSU out of field goal range.

In overtime, Central State were unable to move the ball in the first three plays, then Myrthel Stewart Jr. sacked CSU quarterback Mikiel Clemons to give possession to KSU. With the ball and a chance to win, KSU's Darmontre Warr carried the ball five times for 19 yards to put KSU in position for a game-winning field goal. KSU senior kicker Bill Rose calmy knocked it through the uprights before being swarmed by his teammates and coaches. 

Warr finished the day as the leading contributor to the KSU offense with 70 rushing yards on 17 attempts. Linebacker Travon Spencer picked up a game-high 15 tackles, with nine of those being solo, and a sack as the Thorobreds improved to 1-3 on the season with a 1-0 mark in the SIAC West.
 
KSU will travel to Valdosta State University on Oct. 1

Central State was led by De'Michael Jackson's 32 carries for 127 rushing yards. The rest of the offense was held to just 81 combined yards on the afternoon. Deonate Gary led CSU with 11.5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass break up and a forced fumble.

Falling to 0-4 on the year, the Marauders will try to correct their mistakes during this week's practice in preparation for next Saturday's road game against Kentucky Wesleyan. KWC is also winless through the first four weeks of the season. Fans can listen to the game on KWC - Homers Radio (http://mixlr.com/homers-radio/) beginning at 2 pm (1 pm ct).

NOTES:

-Saturday was the 57th meeting between KSU and CSU. 

-CSU currently holds a 35-21-1 lead in the all-time series which dates back to 1947.

-KSU has won the last nine meetings between the two programs.

-Saturday was the third consecutive season the Circle City Classic has played host to the CSU-KSU rivalry.

-Dating back to last year's game, five touchdowns have been scored on special teams plays.

-Saturday was CSU's seventh appearance in the Circle City Classic - the most by any program

-The Circle City Classic is celebrating its 33rd year and has showcased numerous talent including NFL Hall of Fame Jerry Rice and Indianapolis Colts great Robert Mathis

-For a replay of the game, please visit http://www.espn.com/watchespn/player/_/id/2869571/
 

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