FRANKFORT Ky.- The Kentucky State Thorobreds fell just one point shy in what was a very close and intense game to the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers on Saturday.

The Breds were riding high after beating rival Central State 20 to 6 in the Classic For Columbus last weekend. They brought some of that same high energy into the start of Saturday’s game after an interception from Ja’cione Fugate early in the first quarter followed by a Devon McCoy touchdown on offense. The Breds played much better in the air today after a heavy ground and pound approach against Central with quarterback Jalen Meyers finishing 12-16 for 152 yards and 3 total touchdowns.

The momentum was shifted to the Panthers after they were able to score in just under three minutes and force a fumble shortly after, but the Breds defense was able to cut that short after forcing a turnover on downs. After a 26-yard completion from Meyers to Jordan Level, Meyers was able to rush for the four-yard touchdown and regain the lead. The Breds were also able to fit in a 31-yard field goal from Gerado Baeza to increase their lead to ten.

The second half is where things started to pick up for both teams as the Panthers regained their momentum by forcing a turnover on downs and putting together another two-minute touchdown scoring drive to decrease the lead to three. Just like that though, the Breds reversed the momentum in their favor yet again after turning a forced fumble into a safety late in the third quarter. The Panthers started off the fourth quarter with a 64-yard touchdown pass from Christian Arrambide to Brennen McGuire to take their first lead of the game.

After a four-minute drive down the field that included a huge 38 yard reception from freshman running back Emery Bryant, Jalen Meyers connected to tight end Colin Dwenger in the endzone to regain the lead 25-20 with just under five minutes left in the game. Once again though, the Panthers were able to put together another short and sweet drive down the field that led to a Peyton Peters touchdown making the score 26-25 with 1:37 remaining.

On the kickoff, Brett Sylve took it 62 yards to get to the Panthers 30 yard line bringing Alumni Stadium in a frenzy. Sylve rushed the ball two times after that to give the Breds ten more yards, setting them up in perfect field goal territory to win the game. Unfortunately, kicker Gerardo Baeza missed the field goal attempt wide left, securing the win for the Panthers.

The Breds next opponent are the Tennessee State Tigers on September 18 in Nashville at Nissan Stadium.

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