Williamsburg, KY – After opening the season 5-0 in non-conference action, the #13 ranked Cumberlands Patriots would host seventh-ranked Reinhardt University for their Mid-South Conference Appalachian Division opener. A large crowd was on hand as this game would see two of the top MSC teams square off for an early seat atop the division. UC's offense would struggle to put together long drives while the Eagles' run game set the tone as the Patriots would fall to Reinhardt 27-10 on Saturday. The loss moves the Patriots to 5-1 overall and 0-1 in MSC Appalachian Division play.
 
Reinhardt would begin the game with the ball, but Adam Johnson would force a fumble by Qua Stocks that would be pounced on by Cole Genders, giving UC possession near midfield. The teams would trade possessions before UC would get the ball on their 13 yard line. Milton Shelton would get a healthy dose of running on the drive, accumulating 53 yards on the drive. On 2^nd and nine from the RU 15 yard line, Josiah Robbins would find Brandon Stuckey in the end zone after the ball was tipped and hauled in for a touchdown. The point after from Devon McMillin was good, giving UC a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, it would only take one play as Montralius Mosely would find a lane and take it 81 yards for a touchdown for the Eagles. The PAT by Nick Marquez was good, tying the game up at 7-7 to enter the second quarter of play.
 
As the teams would trade possessions early, Reinhardt would find their way into the endzone for a second time in the half on their second possession. Getting the ball on UC's 32 yard line after a punt out of Cumberlands' end zone, Mosely would find pay dirt for a second time, this one from 12 yards out, to give RU the lead 14-7 after the made point after try. UC's defense would hold the potent Reinhardt offense to force a punt and give the Patriot offense an opportunity with under two minutes to play in the half, but a fumble on the return would give RU the ball back in UC territory with just over a minute left. The Patriot defense would come up big again with a stop on the one yard line to send the game to halftime with Reinhardt leading 14-7.
 
UC would get the ball to open the second half and would put together a drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. After a touchdown was wiped off the board for a penalty, UC would settle for a 23 yard field goal from McMillin, making it 14-10 Reinhardt. After trading possessions, Reinhardt would answer later in the third as Mosely would earn his hat trick, scoring for a third time on the ground on a 10 yard run. The extra point was good, making it 21-10 Eagles heading to the fourth.
 
UC's offense would have three possessions in the quarter, but none would come to fruition with points. Reinhardt would put together a pair of drives in the frame that would eat up a lot of clock as well as give the Eagles points as Marquez would connect on field goals from 24 yards and 26 yards to push the final score to 27-10.
 
Cumberlands would accumulate just 194 yards of offense in the game while Reinhardt would tally 443 yards (370 rushing). Robbins would go 11-20 through the air for 121 yards with a touchdown and an interception on the night. Shelton led the way on the ground with 18 carries for 85 yards. Joronnie Hinton was the premier receiver on the night, snagging seven passes for 89 yards. Stuckey's lone reception was the 15 yard TD grab.
 
Defensively, UC was led by Adam Johnson with 11 total tackles (four solo) with a forced fumble. Tyler Pendleton and Cole Genders would each add nine tackles in the contest. Genders added two tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery. The trio of Jeremiah Baker, Cameron Baxley, and Drew Howard all chipped in with seven tackles each.
 
The Patriots now set their sights on a big rivalry game next Saturday as they travel to Barbourville, Kentucky for the Battle for the Brass Lantern against Union College. It is the longest tenured rivalry in UC Football history as this will be the 34^th meeting between the schools. Cumberlands is 22-11 all-time against the Bulldogs. The Lantern has changed hands each of the last five seasons while UC has won nine of the last 12 meetings dating back to 2006. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.
 
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