Pikeville, KY – It would take a few big plays from the Patriots defense and special teams units tonight, but Cumberlands would do what was needed to come away with a 24-13 win over the Bears of the University of Pikeville on Saturday night. The victory improves the Patriots to 4-0 overall on the season and 1-0 in Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division Play.
The Bears would open the game with possession, but a holding call would stall their drive, forcing the punt to the Patriots to their 36-yard line to start their first possession. A third down pass would be too low as UC would go three-and-out to start the game as well. Pikeville would then take possession and be the first to make a mark on the scoreboard. Trevon Wofford would put UPike in the red zone on a 61-yard strike to Robert Sims III to the UC 14-yard line. Wofford would then keep it himself on the read option and hit the end zone from 17 yards out for the first score of the game. The PAT was good, giving the Bears a 7-0 lead.
Josiah Robbins would then take his offense back to the field and respond quickly. After a pair of first downs picked by the feet of Martize Smith and Robbins, a quick strike from Robbins to TJ Williams would put UC in the red zone at the seven-yard line. Robbins would go to the air once again, but this time as he was targeting Brandon Stuckey for a touchdown, Cedric Thomas would step in front and pick it off in the end zone for the touchback.
The Bears would carry the 7-0 lead into the second quarter with their drive, but UC would come up with a big play that turned the momentum to the Patriots' sidelines. UPike would settle for a field goal attempt early in the second quarter, but a bad snap would force a scramble and see Myles Betts force a fumble. Jarrett Cornelius, who had a pick in last week's game, would scoop the fumble and return it all the way for a Patriot touchdown. The PAT by Devon McMillin was good, tying the game at 7-7 with just over 12 minutes left in the half.
On the ensuing drive, UPike would get the ball downfield enough for another field goal attempt, this one from 23 yards out. Zaniel Phillips would convert, giving the Bears a 10-7 lead with 8:03 to play in the half. UC would get the ball back and drive to midfield. There, Robbins would look deep on third down, but Christopher Dublin would step in front and pick off the pass, giving the Bears the ball at their 30-yard line.
Bowen Smith, the backup quarterback for Pikeville, would get control of the offense in the drive. On third down, Myles Betts would step in to pick off the pass, returning the ball to UC. Both teams would finish out the half scoreless, sending the Bears to the locker room with a 10-7 lead at half.
Darius Smith would give the Patriots solid starting field position after returning the kick to their 43-yard line. Unfortunately, it would be squandered as UC would go three-and-out to start the half. UPike would take over, but a pick by Jamar Roberts would give the Patriots the ball back but this time deep in Pikeville territory on the 22-yard line. Cumberlands would turn to their goal line set as Marquez Trigg would pound it in from a yard out, giving UC its first lead of the game at 14-10 after McMillin's converted PAT.
The Bears would take the ensuing kickoff and drive down the field, but the Patriot defense would show their bend-not-break mentality as they would come up with another big third-down stop, forcing Pikeville to make a decision on fourth down. This time, UPike went with going for the field goal, which they would convert to make it a 14-13 game with just over five to play in the third. A pooch kick would follow as the Bears would recover and take the ball on UC's 38-yard line.
Although UPike would start the drive in UC territory, the tenacious defense of the Patriots would come up big, including a big tackle for loss on third down by Brad Montgomery and a huge sack on fourth down by Kumi Sarpong Jr. Cumberlands would take over and be forced to make their own decision, facing a fourth down and 21 yards to go as the third quarter closed with a one-point lead for the Patriots.
UC would punt it away, but through the back of the end zone for a touchback. After the teams would trade possessions, UC would get the ball on their 20-yard line via touchback. Dialing up the trick play, it was Ky'Zheyone (KJ) Burton taking the handoff, then looking downfield for the streaking Brandon Stuckey, who pulled back and leaped to take it over two Bear defenders and into the end zone for the 80-yard score. The PAT by McMillin was good, extending the Patriot lead to 21-13 with ten minutes to play.
After UPike came up empty on their possession, UC would take their time to drive down the field and milk off a chunk of time. With 2:57 to play, the Patriots turned to McMillin for a 37-yard field goal which he drained to extend the Patriot lead to 24-13, the eventual final score.
UC would only muster 254 yards of offense on the night, but every yard was critical in the win. UC's defense was big on the evening, once again showing a bend-not-break mentality. Although they allowed 334 yards of offense, they also held UPike to 4-16 on third-down conversions. The Patriots also tallied five sacks, ten tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery for a TD, two interceptions, and four pass breakups.
Full statistics of the game are available here.
Cumberlands returns home next weekend on October 12th as they host Bethel University in another MSC Bluegrass Divisional game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm.
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