Kentucky State wins home opener, beating Saginaw State 21-17

Published 10:13 pm Monday, September 21, 2026

Getting your

Cam Tucker caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Denim Johnson on fourth down with 6:29 remaining, and Kentucky State’s defense delivered a game-sealing stand to secure a 21-17 win over Saginaw Valley State on Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

The win improved Kentucky State to 3-1 overall.

Just seconds into the Cardinals’ opening drive, Saginaw Valley completed a 63-yard pass, but its scoring opportunity ended when Lawrence McConnell forced a fumble that Ke’Ron Blankumsee recovered at the Kentucky State 5-yard line.

The Cardinals took the lead on a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown, making it 7-0 with 12:28 remaining in the first quarter.

Kentucky State answered when Johnson connected with Darius Cyprian for a 46-yard completion, placing the Thorobreds at the Saginaw Valley 34-yard line. On the same drive, Johnson completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tucker on third-and-9. Leland Gantz converted the extra point to tie the game 7-7 with 9:24 remaining in the first quarter.

In the final moments of the first quarter, Gantz flipped the field with a 72-yard punt that ...