KENTUCKY STATE
2013 RECORD: 5-5 (1-4 SIAC) - 6th West Division
2014 Predicted Order of Finish - Division (4) - Overall (6)
Head Coach: Josh Dean
SIAC Digital Network Interview
KEY LOSSES:
Troy Churchill - WR
William Leach - TE
Zach LaGrange - OL
Deshawn Ross - DT
Alfred Gilbert - DE
STARTERS RETURNING:
Offense: 8
Defense: 6
Special Teams: 1
For 2013, Kentucky State finished 5-5 and picked up one win in division play. However, the outcome of the season does not reflect the talent laden KSU.
With the interim tag removed from head coach Josh Dean, the Thorobreds can now focus on staying consistent on both sides of the ball after ranking in the middle of the pack in total offense and defense.
KSU returns majority of its offense with eight players. If there is one element of the offense that will remain familiar for the upcoming season, it's the prowess and production of All-SIAC running back Jacquise Lockett. Lockett was the only back in the SIAC to surpass 1,000 yards (1,095) on the ground averaging 109.5 per game. He was responsible for 31 percent of the Thorobreds' total offense accounting for a team-best 16 touchdowns. He tallied five games in which he rushed for 100 or more yards including a 240-yard performance against Central State. For the 2014 preseason, Lockett was named CDFL and USA College Football All-American.
Although KSU has their top thoroughbred driving the offense, they have a few stallions in the stable with the return of an experienced offensive line. Preseason SIAC pick Daniel Ford and CDFL selection Chad Rives headlines a unit that returns four starters.
With an offensive line that has cohesion and a running back on radar, the passing game should become more productive under quarterback Adam Robinson and wide receiver Derek Woodmore. KSU finished seventh in passing with Robinson tossing 1,346 yards and 10 touchdowns. He completed 108-of-198 attempts (54.5) with seven interceptions averaging 134.6 yards per game. The one-two punch will also include Woodmore who led KSU in receiving. He completed last season with 27 receptions, 16.4 per catch, for 444 yards, a 55.5 per game average, and three touchdowns.
KSU's primary adjustments will focus on a defense. Although returning six starters, they must reload a defensive line that lost last year's sack leaders, Deshawn Ross and Alfred Gilbert. The front four will feature a new first unit. However, the Thorobreds top three leaders in tackles return.
The linebacker corp of Terry Horton, Travon Spencer and Lydell Simon led KSU in the category combining for 161 tackles and six sacks. Horton racked up 70 tackles (41 solo), including 10.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, a blocked kick, and two interceptions. Spencer followed with 63 tackles (43 solo), six for a loss, and an interception with Simon drawing 58 tackles (36 solo), 10 for a loss and four sacks.
The trio should help bottle the front and support the run defense that finished third in the league last year. As solid as the next level defenders, KSU's secondary is experience with Eric Rawls, Jeremy Lewis and Jermaine Graham. Rawls and Lewis led the team with three interceptions apiece while Graham posted seven pass break ups.
Certainty at the head coach position gives KSU a new retrospect on how a few plays can change the course of a season. With a stagecoach for an offense, the ability to tackle , talent to defend the pass, and a phantom special teams, the Thorobreds can galvanize the league and become a threat in the division.
2014 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jacquise Lockett - RB
Adam Robinson - QB
Derek Woodmore - WR
Chad Rives - OL
Terry Horton - LB
Lydell Simon - LB
Travon Spencer - LB
Eric Rawls - DB
Jeremy Lewis - DB
Jermaine Graham - DB
2013 STATISTICS | 2014 SCHEDULE | 2014 SIGNING CLASS