November 7th, 2026 4:00pm
FRANKFORT, Ky. – For the second time in program history, Kentucky State football has secured a berth in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship Game following a commanding 34-10 victory over Morehouse on Saturday at Alumni Stadium.
Quarterback Juan Gainous powered Kentucky State's offense, throwing for 405 yards and five touchdowns as the Thorobreds amassed 511 yards of total offense. Five receivers contributed to the passing attack, led by Darius Cyprian's game-high 156 receiving yards and Cameron Tucker's two touchdown receptions.
Kentucky State's defense delivered a second-half shutout, limiting Morehouse to 241 total yards while recording four sacks and an interception by Elijah Henderson. Kendrick Curry led the defensive effort with nine tackles, while Carlos Bazert Jr. added six tackles and 1.5 sacks.
On special teams, Leland Gantz converted all four extra-point attempts and placed three punts inside the 20-yard line.
The Thorobreds wasted little time finding the end zone as Gainous connected with Tucker for a 54-yard touchdown pass. The score capped a three-play, 70-yard drive and gave Kentucky State an early 7-0 lead with 12:54 remaining in the first quarter.
The duo struck again at the 8:28 mark of the opening quarter as Gainous found Tucker for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The score capped another three-play drive, this time covering 91 yards, to extend the Thorobreds' lead to 14-0.
Kentucky State continued its offensive surge early in the second quarter as Gainous connected with Cory Jackson for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The score capped a nine-play, 98-yard drive and pushed the Thorobreds' advantage to 21-0 with 14:53 remaining in the first half.
Morehouse responded with its first points of the contest as quarterback Miles Scott found Azari Brown for a 4-yard touchdown pass, cutting Kentucky State's lead to 21-7.
The Maroon Tigers continued to chip away at the deficit when Davis Rowe connected on a 42-yard field goal with 6:58 remaining in the second quarter, trimming the Thorobreds' advantage to 21-10.
Kentucky State answered before halftime as Gainous connected with Cyprian for a 24-yard touchdown pass with 1:52 remaining in the second quarter. The score extended the Thorobreds' lead to 27-10 heading into the break.
The Thorobreds' defense took control in the second half, holding Morehouse scoreless over the final 30 minutes. Gainous put the finishing touches on the victory with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Thomas Jr. with 8:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, extending Kentucky State's lead to 34-10.
The victory improved Kentucky State to 8-2 overall and 7-1 in SIAC play, securing the program's second appearance in the conference championship game.
UP NEXT
Kentucky State travels to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the Benedict Tigers in the 2026 SIAC Football Championship Game.