Frankfort, Ky. – The Albany State Golden Rams continued their dominant start to the 2025 season with a 49-21 road victory over Kentucky State on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium. With the win, the Golden Rams improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in SIAC play, while extending their winning streak over the Thorobreds to 12 straight games and improving their all-time series lead to 20-7. Kentucky State falls to 1-1, 1-1 SIAC with the loss.

The game opened with a spark as Tiant Wyche set the tone on the opening kickoff, breaking loose for a 59-yard return to place the Golden Rams in prime field position. Just moments later, veteran quarterback Isaiah Knowles connected with Omari Stewart on a 9-yard strike to the back of the end zone, giving Albany State the early lead.

On defense, the Dirty Blue Defense wasted no time establishing itself, with Daytin Baker anchoring the effort. Baker's energy forced an early three-and-out, but Kentucky State responded midway through the first quarter with an 8-yard touchdown run from Jaylen Middleton to even the score at 7-7. Before the quarter ended, Baker came up big again, intercepting a Thorobreds pass to swing momentum back in ASU's favor.

The second quarter belonged to the Golden Rams. Knowles orchestrated back-to-back scoring drives, including a 15-yard touchdown connection with tight end Xavier Herndon and a 3-yard strike to wideout Corey Petty, pushing ASU ahead 21-7. Kentucky State briefly closed the gap with a 1-yard touchdown run, but Knowles and Herndon quickly answered with their second scoring connection of the day, extending the lead to 28-14. The Thorobreds fought back with a late score to pull within 28-21 at halftime, but Albany State's defense delivered a momentum-shifting play just before the break. With only eight seconds remaining, Jimmy Dawson forced a fumble, recovered by Robert Floyd, preserving ASU's lead.

After a scoreless third quarter marked by tough defensive stands on both sides, Albany State took control in the fourth. Knowles led a decisive 80-yard drive capped by a 17-yard touchdown to Petty, extending the lead to 35-21. The senior quarterback later added a 4-yard rushing touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat ability, before finding Javion Jackson on a 38-yard scoring strike to seal the 49-21 victory.

The Dirty Blue Defense once again played a key role in the win. Luke Rose led the way with 6 solo tackles and an interception, while Isaiah Morrison added 4 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack. Dawson's forced fumble and Andrew Ruffin's 0.5 sack further highlighted the unit's disruptive performance.

With the victory, the Golden Rams remain unbeaten and continue to build momentum heading deeper into conference play.

Up Next:
Albany State will stay on the road next weekend for a non-conference showdown with Florida A&M on Saturday, September 13, at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.

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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.