1935 Kentucky State Thorobreds football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1935 Kentucky State Thorobreds football Midwest Athletic Association MWAA 9–1 3–1 Henry Kean 5th Alumni Field Black college national co-champion Orange Blossom Classic W 19–9 vs. Florida A&M The 1935 Kentucky State Thorobreds football team was an American football team that represented Kentucky State Industrial College (KISC), now known as Kentucky State University, as a member of the Midwest Athletic Association (MWAA) during the 1935 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Henry Kean, the Thorobreds compiled a 9–1 record, shut out seven of ten opponents (including five consecutive shutouts in November), outscored all opponents by a total of 192 to 42, and defeated Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic.Kentucky State Yearly Results (1935-1939) College Football Data Warehouse https://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/k/kentucky_state/1935-1939_yearly_results.php 2019-12-03 2015-09-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907090142/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/k/kentucky_state/1935-1939_yearly_results.php dead The team was recognized as a black college national champion for the second consecutive year.Former Kentucky State And Tennessee State Head Coach Henry Kean Selected As The 2022 AFCA Trailblazer Award Recipient KSU Thorobreds May 14, 2026 https://ksuthorobreds.com/news/2022/11/30/general-former-kentucky-state-and-tennessee-state-head-coach-henry-kean-selected-as-the-2022-afca-trailblazer-award-recipient.aspx(Kentucky State won black national championships in both 1934 and 1935) Quarterback Joe "Tarzan" Kendall was known for both his accurate passing and open-field running and was later selected to the all-time black college football team and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.Joe Kendall National Football Foundation May 3, 2026 https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2193 Kendall and end William B. Reed, the latter known for his great blocking, received first-team honors on the All-America college football team selected by The Pittsburgh Courier from the nation's African-American football players.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-courier-bama-state-kent/130342320/ 'Bama State, Kentucky Get 2 Places on 11 Chester L. Washington Chester L. Washington Pittsburgh Courier 2–5 December 28, 1935 August 20, 2023 newspapers.com Kendall, Reed, and halfback Big Bertha Edwards received first team All-Southern honors.Chunn Names All-Southern Grid Team; Favors Kentucky The Chicago Defender December 21, 1935 19 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender-all-southern/196811128/ Newspapers.com Kean's assistant coaches were Stewart and Walker. The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Frankfort, Kentucky. Schedule Central y y y October 5 1935 West Kentucky Industrial Lions West Kentucky Industrial<ncg> Alumni Field Frankfort, KY W 21-0 Championship Negro Team To Open Season https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader/196804490/ The Lexington Leader Lexington, Kentucky October 4, 1935 7 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com Ky. State Whips Ky. Industrial https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-afro-american/196804705/ The Afro-American Baltimore, Maryland October 12, 1935 20 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com October 12 at 1935 Wilberforce Green Wave Wilberforce Wilberforce, OH L 7-19 Kentucky Is Defeated by Wilberforce https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-call/196804295/ The Call Kansas City, Missouri October 18, 1935 7 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com October 19 1935 Lane Dragons Lane<ncg> Alumni Field Frankfort, KY W 35-0 1,500 Kentucky State Beats Lane In Thriller, 35-0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender/196804817/ The Chicago Defender Chicago, Illinois October 26, 1935 14 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com October 26 at 1935 Tuskegee Golden Tigers Tuskegee<ncg> Alumni Bowl Tuskegee, AL W 19-14 4,000 Darnaby R. S. Tuskegee Is Beaten, 19=14, By Kentucky https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-call/196805037/ The Call Kansas City, Missouri November 1, 1935 14 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com Washington Chester L. Chester L. Washington Thorobreds Win In Stretch, Spoil Tiger Homecoming https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-pittsburgh-courier/196805250/ Pittsburgh Courier Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania November 2, 1935 5, section 2 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com November 2 1:00 p.m. at 1935 Morris Brown Wolverines Morris Brown<ncg> Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta, GA W 15-0 Morris Brown Plays Kentucky https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/196805535/ The Atlanta Constitution Atlanta, Georgia November 2, 1935 21 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com Jones "Melancholy" Kendall's Trusty Right Wing, Churning Legs Of Edwards, Atwood Sink Wolverines, 15-0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/atlanta-daily-world/196805713/ Atlanta Daily World Atlanta, Georgia November 3, 1935 5 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com Kentucky State Tops Morris Brown, 15-0: Edwards, Atwood Score Touchdowns for the Keans The Chicago Defender J. C. Chunn November 9, 1935 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender-entucky-state-tops/196821016/ Newspapers.comKentucky State Rallies to Beat Brown by 15-0 The Afro-American November 16, 1935 22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-afro-american-ks-v-mb/197556763/ Newspapers.com November 9 1935 West Virginia State Yellow Jackets West Virginia State<hc> Alumni Field Frankfort, KY W 13-0 4,000 Kentucky Meets W. Virginia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender/196805867/ The Chicago Defender Chicago, Illinois November 9, 1935 15 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com Ky. State Topples W. Virginia 11 The Chicago Defender November 16, 1935 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender-ks-v-wv/197556482/ Newspapers.com Ky. 13; W.Va. 0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-afro-american/196805957/ The Afro-American Baltimore, Maryland November 16, 1935 10 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com Ky. Drubs W. Virginia, 13-0: Passes Upset Visitors in Thrilling Gridiron Fight The Chicago Defender Al Monroe November 16, 1935 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender-ky-drubs-w-virgin/196808620/ Newspapers.com November 16 1935 Lincoln Blue Tigers Lincoln (MO) Frankfort, KY W 24-0 K. S. I. C. Wins From Lincoln University https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal/196806133/ The State Journal Frankfort, Kentucky November 17, 1935 5 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com November 23 at 1935 Louisville Municipal Bantams Louisville Municipal Central High School stadium Louisville, KY W 33-0 K.S.I.C. Wallops Municipal By 33 To 0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/196806299/ The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky November 24, 1935 2, section 5 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com Louisville is Defeated by Kentuckians https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-call/196806424/ The Call Kansas City, Missouri November 29, 1935 6 May 3, 2026 Newspapers.com November 28 2:00 p.m. at Tennessee State<ncg> State College field Nashville, TN W 6-0 2,000 Kentucky Teams Beats Tennessee State, 6-0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner/196644934/ Nashville Banner Nashville, Tennessee November 29, 1935 11 April 30, 2026 Newspapers.com Kentucky State Beats A. And I., 6 To 0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender/196646202/ The Chicago Defender Chicago, Illinois December 7, 1935 14 April 30, 2026 Newspapers.com Largest Homecoming Expected On Thanksgiving Day https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1044&context=bulletin-30s The Bulletin XXIV 2 Nashville, Tennessee Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College 1 November 1935 April 30, 2026 December 7 vs Florida A&M<ncg> Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL (Orange Blossom Classic) W 19-9 5,000 Ky. State Gets Call for Orange Blossom Classic https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-journal-and-guide/195980218/ Journal and Guide Norfolk, Virginia December 7, 1935 15 April 20, 2026 Newspapers.com Rattlers Hold Ky. In Hectic 2nd Half https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-pittsburgh-courier/195966296/ Pittsburgh Courier Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania December 14, 1935 4, section 2 April 20, 2026 Newspapers.com Ky. State Wins 19-9 In Orange Blossom Tiff https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-journal-and-guide/195966496/ Journal and Guide Norfolk, Virginia December 14, 1935 14, 20 April 20, 2026 Newspapers.com Jackson Richard A. 1935 Football Review https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-st-louis-argus/199676797/ St. Louis Argus St. Louis, Missouri December 6, 1935 7 June 15, 2026 Newspapers.com Game summaries Wilberforce On October 12, Kentucky State lost to 1935 Wilberforce Green Wave Wilberforce, 19–7, in Wilberforce, Ohio. The Thorobreds scored in the second quarter on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Kendall to Reed with Kendall kicking the extra point. The touchdown was not enough, as Wilberforce tallied 19 points on three touchdowns and an extra point. The Thorobreds led, 7–6, at halftime, but Wilberforce added two touchdowns in the second half. Kentucky State was held to only 11 first downs in the game.Other Ohio Games The Cincinnati Enquirer October 13, 1935 35 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-wilberforce-v-k/197039559/ Newspapers.comWilberforce Avenges Defeat Of 1934: Scores 19 to 7 Victory Over Kentuckians The Gazette Xenia, Ohio October 14, 1935 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-xenia-daily-gazette-wilberforce-aven/197040020/ Newspapers.com It was the football program's first loss since December 16, 1933.Kentucky State Yearly Results (1930-1934) College Football Data Warehouse May 14, 2026 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/k/kentucky_state/1930-1934_yearly_results.php https://web.archive.org/web/20150906110508/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/k/kentucky_state/1930-1934_yearly_results.php 2015-09-06 Lane On October 19, Kentucky State defeated 1935 Lane Dragons Lane, 35–0, at Alumni Field in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Thorobreds opened the game with a safety after a blocked kick recovered on the goal line. They followed with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Kendall to Woods in the first quarter, a touchdown run by Woods in the second quarter, a touchdown by Hardin in the third quarter, and two touchdown runs by Flash Passmore in the fourth quarter. It was the Thorobreds' highest point total of the season. Tuskegee On October 26, Kentucky State defeated the favored Tuskegee team, 19–14, before a homecoming crowd of 4,000 at Tuskegee, Alabama. Joe "Tarzan" Kendall scored the winning touchdown on a freak touchdown described as follows:Collier's kick, one of the queerest in Tuskegee's sport history, landed squarely on the 50-yard line, but took a trick backward bounce toward the sidelines, landing on the Tigers' 30-yard stripe. Apparently coming from nowhere, the alert Kendall dashed into the middle of players waiting to down the ball, scooped it up like a hot grounder and shot through an opening into the clear to gallop 30 yards for Kentucky's winning touchdown. Morris Brown On November 2, Kentucky State defeated 1935 Morris Brown Wolverines Morris Brown, 15–0, at Ponce de Leon Park in Atlanta. The Thorobreds scored all of its points in the second half on a 30-yard touchdown run by Atwood, a one-yard touchdown run by Edwards, and a safety when Morris Brown's punter stepped out of his end zone. Kendall converted one of two extra-point kicks. West Virginia State On November 9, Kentucky State defeated 1935 West Virginia State Yellow Jackets West Virginia State, 13–0, before a homecoming crowd of 4,000 at Alumni Field in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Thorobreds scored two touchdowns on passes by Joe Kendall to Woods and Harding. Tennessee State On November 28 (Thanksgiving Day), Kentucky State concluded its regular season schedule with a 6–0 victory over Tennessee State before a homecoming crowd of 2,500 on Tennessee State's home field in Nashville, Tennessee. The only points of the game were scored in the first quarter when Tennessee punted from its own two-yard line; the punt was blocked, and a Thorobred player scooped the ball and ran for a touchdown. It was the fifth consecutive game in which Kentucky State held opponents scoreless. Florida A&M (Orange Blossom Classic) On December 7, the Thorobreds defeated Florida A&M, 19–9, in the third annual Orange Blossom Classic before a crowd of 5,000 at Durkee Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Kentucky State scored all of its points (three touchdowns and one extra point) in the second quarter, including a 65-yard touchdown reception by Woods. Joe Kendall's passing was a feature of the game with Hardin, Woods, and Stevens as his principal targets. Roster William "Bill" Atwood, halfback Beck, tackle Elmer Collins, guard Big Bertha Edwards, fullback Robert Hardin, end Jones, guard Joe "Tarzan" Kendall, quarterback Norman "Flash" Passmore, back William B. ReedReed [obituary] Lexington Herald-Leader December 12, 1996 C6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-reed/196824409/ Newspapers.com (sometimes referred as Reid), end Timothy Robinson, tackle Grover Stevens (sometimes spelled "Stephens"), fullback White, center Wood (sometimes referred to as Woods), halfback Kentucky Opens Drills; Coach Is Blue The Chicago Defender September 28, 1935 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chicago-defender-kentucky-opens-dril/197557035/ Newspapers.com References Kentucky State Category:Kentucky State Thorobreds football seasons Category:Black college football national champions Kentucky State Thorobreds football