DETROIT – Kentucky State used explosive second-half plays to pull away from rival Central State, earning a 34-24 victory in the Detroit Football Classic on Saturday at Ford Field.
Quarterbacks Denim Johnson and Torrence Bardell combined for 302 passing yards and three touchdowns, helping the Thorobreds (1-0, 1-0 SIAC) overcome a 16-10 halftime deficit.
Bardell delivered two game-changing strikes, a 77-yard touchdown to Darius Cyprian late in
the third quarter (00:24) and an 85-yard connection with Chad Elzy early in the fourth (12:18), as Kentucky State surged ahead 27-16. Johnson added a 1-yard scoring run minutes later (9:17) to put the game out of reach.Cyprian finished with six catches for 122 yards, while Elzy piled up 136 all-purpose yards. Johnson completed 11 of 18 passes for 107 yards, and Bardell went 6 of 8 for 195 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Lawrence McConnell led Kentucky State with nine tackles, and Elijah Henderson added an interception. The Thorobreds held Central State to just 118 passing yards and forced two turnovers.
"The Detroit Football Classic was a huge success this year! KSU alumni and friends showed up and showed out for this incredible win," said Grant Stepp, Director of Athletics at KSU. "Let's keep the momentum going with our home opener this Saturday against Albany State at 2 p.m. We hope to see you there!"
For the full recap of the Detroit Football Classic, click here.
UP NEXT
The Thorobreds will return to Frankfort and host league foe Albany State on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
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