FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Thorobreds edged the Benedict Tigers 23-21 on Saturday afternoon in a SIAC matchup in a contest that ended with confusion.
 
Benedict took over at their own 22-yard line with 48 seconds left in the game, and quickly moved the ball with 19- and 12-yard passes. After an 11-yard run by Charles "Tre" Simmons, the Tigers spiked the ball with 18 seconds left in the game at the Kentucky State 40-yard line.
 
The officials in the game ruled there was another spike with three seconds left, which is not allowed, and ruled the game over.
 
"They said I spiked the ball with 18 seconds, then spiked it again with three seconds, and I told them I didn't do it," said Benedict head coach Ron Dickerson Jr. "I told them I didn't run another play. They said because I tried to spike the ball with under three seconds, the game is over."
 
The loss drops the Tigers to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in the SIAC. Kentucky State moves to 2-5 overall and 2-3 in the SIAC.
 
Kentucky State took a 20-7 lead midway through the second quarter. KSU's second touchdown of the game was a 72-yard pass. The Tigers cut the lead to 20-14 before the Thorobreds added a 37-yard field goal with 49 seconds left in the first half to make it 23-14.
 
"On defense, we give up big plays. We can't keep giving up big plays on defense," Dickerson said. "We have them backed up on third down, and then they get big plays and get the momentum. It's really hard with such a young offense coming from behind. We just have to continue to work on the little things, but I also saw a lot of good things."
 
Benedict held Kentucky State scoreless in the second half, and the Tigers scored a touchdown on a five-yard pass from Simmons to Shatarius Williams with 6:51 left in the third quarter to make it 23-21.
 
In the fourth quarter, Benedict had two drives in KSU territory, but failed to convert on two fourth-down plays.
 
Simmons completed 13-of-24 passes for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also led the team with 64 yards rushing. Troy Hillman caught four passes for 70 yards.
 
Isaiah Stephens led the defense with 11 tackles.
 
Benedict takes on rival Allen University next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Westwood High School Stadium in Blythewood.