Staff reports

Nathan Hoyte and Santa Claus led the Albany State Golden Rams to a wild 57-31 victory Saturday over conference foe Kentucky State in the Circle City Class in Indianapolis, Ind.

Santa Claus?

That’s how KSU coach Wayne Dickens described his team’s charitable nature during the Rams’ win, during which the Rams outscored KSU 28-18 in the four quarter, which featured back-to-back kickoff returns.

‘           “We have to wait ’til December to start playing Santa Claus,” Dickens said after team lost two fumbles, threw two interceptions and gave up a kickoff return for a score. “We gave them 28 points, in essence. If (Colts quarterback) Peyton Manning had to deal with that, he’d lose, too.”

KSU quarterback Jerrel Noland filled the air throughout the game, finishing 36 for 65 for 433 yards and three touchdowns. ASU’s Stanley Jennings was 9 for 27 for 180 yards and three TDs.

Hoyte rushed 14 times for 104 yards.

ASU is 4-1, 2-0 in the Southern College Athletic Conference; the Rams host Lane on Saturday. KSU, which lost to the Rams for the eighth straight time, is 3-2, 0-2.

The game was played in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.