Mercyhurst College 21, Kentucky State 6

August 25, 2007

Frankfort, KY -   Kentucky State lost a tough defensive struggle to the Lakers of Mercyhurst today in their season opener in front of a enthusiastic crowd at Alumni Stadium. 

Mercyhurst opened the scoring on a 25-yards run by RB Ben Jennings (5:57/1st/qt.)…Chris Ryan kick was good.   The score was setup by a 51-yards pass from QB Mitch Phillis to TE Brandon Hill.

WR Jerome Bryant scored KSU’s first touchdown when he returned a punt 69-yards to start the second quarter. Allen Sharon kick was good, but KSU was penalized for holding. Sharon second kick fail short.

Mercyhurst lead 7-6 at the half.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, even though KSU turned the ball over on downs on the Mercyhurst 17 yardline.  The closest KSU got to scoring in the fourth quarter was to the Mercyhurst 38. 

Mercyhurst scored twice in the fourth quarter…both from KSU turnovers.  RB Richard Stokes scored on a 13 yards run (14:46)…and WR Aaron Haynes on a 32-yard pass from QB Mitch Phillis (14:09)

 KSU may have had first game jitters on both side of the line-of-scrimmage, mainly on offense.  Starting QB, Jerimy Watson’s first play from scrimmage was an interception by DB, Tim Herbener, at the Mercyhurst 47 yardline.   Watson played most of the first half completing 2-of-6 passes for 20-yards before being replaced by Kevin Warner.  Warner completed 5-of-14 passes for 51 yards and Michael Woods who replaced Warner had the best day of the three QB’s completing 8-of-12 passes for 88 yards.

Statistically on offense the game was evenly matched. KSU ran 66 plays for 275 yards and Mercyhurst ran 53 plays for 274 yards in total offense.  KSU had four turnovers…2-fumbles lost and 2-interceptions. Time-of-possession, KSU 29:33…Mercyhurst 30:27.

KSU gained 142 yards rushing.  WR Jamaree gained 42 yards on a reverse…freshman RB Andrew Ramsey gained 43 yards on 12 carries…and RB Michael Wright 34 yards on 12 carries.  Bryant led the receivers with four catches for 53 yards; Juwan Jones had three catches for 25 yards.  On defense, LB David Thompson lead the way with 6-solo tackles and 5-assists for 8.5 tackles, forced an recovered a fumble, had a pass breakup and continuous pressured the QB…LB Raymond Huff had 4-solo’s and 3-assists…DB Melvin Thomas had 4-solo tackles…The defense registered 5-sacks for -26 yards.

KSU will travel to Ferris State for a non-conference game on 09-01 and then travel to Albany State on 09-08 for their first conference game…Then to Clark-Atlanta on 09-15 for another conference match-up before returning to Lexington to face Central State in the Toyota Heritage Classic on 09-22 in Commonwealth Stadium..