Box Score Frankfort, Ky. – Charles Stafford had another big day, but it wasn't enough as Clark Atlanta gave up 28-second half points to fall to Kentucky State 35-24 Saturday.

It's the fourth time in six games that Clark Atlanta (0-6, 0-2 SIAC, 0-1 SIAC East) has either led or trailed by four points or less heading into the fourth quarter. 

Stafford threw an 8-yard touchdown pass at the beginning of the third quarter that tied what had been a low-scoring game at 7-7.   Kentucky State (3-2, 1-2 SIAC) countered with a touchdown late in the third quarter, just before CAU's Fernando Lobo connected on a 12-yard field goal.  Kentucky State led 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

KSU's leading rusher, Brett Sylve, who had been held in check most of the game, ended a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 5-yard TD run that extended the Thorobreds' lead to 21-10 early in the fourth quarter.  After CAU was forced to punt on their next possession, Sylve capped another KSU drive with a 4-yard TD run as Kentucky State went up 28-10 with 5:34 left. 

The CAU offense got the ball back, but Stafford's first interception in nine quarters – going back to a second quarter pick on Sept. 28 against Albany State – handed the ball back over to KSU with 4:33 remaining.  CAU got it right back when Tayler Wimberly recovered a KSU fumble.

Stafford then hit Trey Wilson for a 12-yard TD, followed by a successful 2-point conversion pass to Kendell Wimberly that made the score 28-18 with 2:31 remaining.  Kentucky State recovered Clark Atlanta's onside kick attempt and then Sylve got his third touchdown of the quarter on a 41-yard TD run that put the game out of reach at 35-18 with 2:21 left.   Stafford drove the Panthers 68 yards in just over a minute, completing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Caleeb Roberson.  A 2-point conversion failed and KSU recovered the onside kick attempt to salt away the homecoming win.

Stafford, the SIAC's leading passer, finished 22-of-40 for 343 yards and three touchdowns.  For the second week in a row, Kendell Wimberly was his top target as the two connected on six passes for 112 yards. Drakar Jerry caught five passes for 52 yards.

Terrance Harris led the CAU defense with 12 tackles – nine of them solo, while Kenneth Morgan also had 12 tackles.  Lorenzo Fields had eight stops, and Tyrone Mixon added seven.

Sylve, who went into the game as the SIAC's second-leading rusher, led Kentucky State with 162 yards on 28 carries.

The Panthers return to Atlanta next week for Homecoming 2019 when CAU will host Savannah State at 2 p.m. at CAU Panther Stadium.  For ticket information, go to clarkatlantasports.com.