Williamsburg, KY – In one of the most lopsided victories in NAIA history, the Patriot football program will continue its stronghold on the Brass Lantern as they defeated the Union College Bulldogs by a final score of 98-0. It is the most points scored by a team in the rivalry's history as well as the largest margin of victory in UC's history. It is just the second shutout ever recorded in the rivalry's existence as Cumberlands also holds that victory, a 7-0 win back in 1990. The win improves the 13th-ranked Patriots to 3-0 on the year as the Bulldogs fall to 0-5 overall.
After winning the coin toss and choosing to defer, Union would get the ball to begin the game, but a quick interception by Jarrett Cornelius would give UC the ball early. This is where the control of the game completely went to the Patriots. A 41-yard pass from Josiah Robbins to Brandon Stuckey set up a two-yard TD run by Martize Smith, giving UC a 7-0 lead. After recovering an onside kick, Robbins would find Stuckey again, this time scoring on a 53 yard TD reception. The PAT was good and after three plays of offense, the Patriots led 14-0. A two yard TD run by Marquez Trigg and a 12 yard TD strike from Robbins to Jacob Ward would give the Patriots a 28-0 lead after the first quarter. A pair of TD runs, one by Trigg from a yard out and one by Tae Hammond from 10 yards out, would give UC a 42-0 lead at the half.
In the second half, it continued to be all Patriots. With backups in at nearly every position, Cumberlands would see many players set career highs while the Patriots were still able to march down the field at will. Scoring 28 points in each of the next two quarters, UC would find themselves setting a number of records en route to the 98 point victory over the Bulldogs.
The Patriots would tally 727 yards of total offense (334 passing, 393 rushing) on 68 plays, averaging 10.7 yards per play while holding Union to just 142 yards in the game on 62 plays. Union would have to punt the ball 13 times in the contest as they were held to 0 of 17 on third down conversions.
Six different running backs would score for UC tonight with five scoring multiple times. Leading the way rushing was Ky'Zheyone (KJ) Burton, who saw most of his touches out of the Wildcat formation tonight. He tallied career highs with nine carries for 176 yards a two scores. Lee Stanley, Devin Burks, Trigg, and Smith all tallied multiple scores for the Patriots with Hammond the solo touchdown recorder.
Through the air, it was Josiah Robbins with all of his efforts coming in the first half of play. He went 18-24 passing on the evening for 270 yards and a pair of scores with two interceptions. He now holds the UC school record for most completions in a career with 261 and is now second all-time in passing attempts and yards passing. The receiving core was led by Stuckey, who caught four passes for 112 yards and a score. Jacob Ward caught three passes for 34 yards and a score as well, while eight other receivers also caught passes in the contest.
Defensively, Tyler Pendleton tallied nine total tackles while Brad Montgomery garnered eight total tackles with two tackles for loss and a half sack. Robbie Garvin charted six total stops with a tackle for loss and a half sack as well. Overall, UC totaled two sacks, three pass breakups, one interception, and 13 tackles for loss.
Kicker Devon McMillin also set a new school record and tied an NAIA single game record with 14 made point after attempts in the game.
Full game statistics are available here.
UC now moves on to begin Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Divisional play next week as they travel to face the Bears of the University of Pikeville. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm.
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