Albany State defeats Kentucky State in Circle City Classic game

ASU's Nathan Hoyte rushes for a touchdown against KSU

     Larry Whitfield returned a fumble for a score to give the Albany State University Golden Rams the 10-3 lead in the first quarter of the 28th Annual Circle City Classic Saturday afternoon. The Golden Rams never looked back and galloped over the Kentucky State University Thorobreds 57-31 in front of 36,831 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
     The Golden Rams, 4-1 and 2-0 in SIAC play, and the Thorobreds, 3-2 and 0-2 in the conference, combined for 773 total offensive yards for the game, including back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns.
     Cade Berryman kicked a 29-yard field goal early in the first quarter to give the Thorobreds three points, capping off an 11-play, 31-yard drive. Kentucky State would only enjoy the for two minutes before Albany State answered when Tory Torstenson kicked a 29-yarder to tie the game at three points each.
     Later in the quarter, the ASU “Dirty Blue” defense caused two turnovers to build a 13-point lead over Kentucky State. Jamarkus Gaskins sacked KSU’s Jerrel Noland, forcing a fumble. Whitfield scooped up the ball and ran 68 yards into the Thorobred end zone to take the 10-3 lead with 3:30 on the clock. On the ensuing KSU drive, Demonte Queen recovered a Noland fumble and set up a five-play, 25-yard scoring drive for the Golden Rams. About two minutes later, Stanley Jennings connected with Orion Ponder on an 11-yard pass to score six points. Torstenson’s missed PAT game the Rams a 16-3 lead.
     Early in the second quarter, Albany State picked up six more points when Darryl Carey rushed from five yards out to add more points on the scoreboard. With Torstenson’s good PAT, Albany State led 23-2. The Thorobreds answered with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Noland to Justin Williams on a eight-play, 74 yard drive to cut the Rams’ lead to 23-10. Later in the quarter Kentucky State added three more points after Berryman kicked his second field goal of the day, a 25-yarder, that capped a six-play, 74-yard drive for the Thorobreds. With just 39 seconds before the half, the Golden Rams marched 49 yards on seven plays to take a 29-13 lead after Jennings hit Ronnie Tubbs with a 28-yard pass.
     After a scoreless third quarter, the Golden Rams outscored the Thorobreds 28-18 in the game’s final period, which featured three touchdowns, defensive scoring and long back-to-back kickoff returns for scores.
     ASU’s Brandon Brown returned a Noland interception 34 yards for a touchdown with 14:24 on the clock in the fourth quarter to up the Golden Rams' score to 36-13. The Thorobreds answered on the ensuing kickoff 17 seconds later when Keith Massey returned a 91-yard kickoff for a score, but Berryman’s PAT failed, giving ASU a 36-19 lead. On Albany State’s ensuing kickoff, Ponder responded with an 89-yard return, giving the Rams a 43-19 lead. About two minutes later, Williams caught his second touchdown pass, a four-yarder from Noland to score for the Thorobreds, but Berryman’s PAT was blocked by Bruce Ryles and recovered by Gary Howard.
     Later in the quarter, Albany State marched 54 yards on nine plays to the KSU 24, and Jennings threw a hook-and-lateral pass to Ronnie Tubbs, who pitched the ball to Adrian Alexander for the touchdown and a 50-25 lead with 9:02 on the clock. The Thorobreds answered on their next possession when Noland connected with Raphey Amey on a 73-yard touchdown pass. Berryman’s PAT attempted by blocked by Brown and recovered by Rashad McRae, leaving the Thorobreds trailing 50-31.
     The Golden Rams sealed the 57-31 victory after driving 38 yards on four plays with 6:25 on the clock after Luther Edwards rushed from 26 yards out for the score.
     Jennings who completed 9-27 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns, led the Golden Rams to 349 total offensive yards. Nathan Hoyte led ASU rushers with 104 yards on 14 carries, while Tubbs led Golden Ram receivers with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
     Albany State set a Circle City Classic record for most points scored in regulation play with 57 points. The record was established in 1996, when Florida A&M beat Hampton 59-58 in seven overtimes. The Golden Rams and Thorobreds combined for 88 points, the most in regulation for this game. The overall record of 117 was established in FAMU – Hampton game.
     Whitfield led the ASU “Dirty Blue” defense with 17 total tackles (10 solo), with two for losses, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery for the touchdown. McRae added eight tackles, and Jamarkus Gaskins had six tackles and a sack. Cory Spalding had five tackles and an interception for the Thorobreds.
     The Golden Rams will travel to Jackson, Tenn. to take on the Lane College Dragons in an SIAC matchup on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lane Field. The Thorobreds will play Fort Valley State University in Frankfort, Ky.

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