Williamsburg, KY – The Patriot Football team concluded their 2019 fall camp and is now ready to take their talents to the competitive playing field. Their first of five road contests comes this weekend as they travel south to Ave Maria, Florida to take on the Gyrenes. Cumberlands, who made the NAIA Football Championship Series in 2018, can get their season off to the right track against Ave Maria, who won a share of the MSC Sun Division Regular Season Championship, looks to continue their upward climb in the NAIA. Kickoff for Saturday's contest is set for 7 pm at Gyrenes Field. Here are six things to watch for in this weekend's contest.
 

1. Season openers for both teams have been a strong point.

The Patriots are 4-1 all-time in season openers under the tutelage of Head Coach Matt Rhymer, including 2-0 against Sun Division opposition.  Ave Maria is 2-1 in week one under Head Coach Joe Patterson. His only loss in a season opener came when the team went 0-10 on the year in 2016.
 

2. Young rivalry between schools in Kentucky and Florida have leaned toward the Bluegrass State.

The Patriots are currently 3-0 all-time against teams from the state of Florida. Ave Maria however is winless at 0-4 in the last two years against teams from the Bluegrass State. Since the merger with the Sun Conference into the MSC, schools from Kentucky hold a 17-9 record against teams from the Sunshine State, including 8-6 last season.
 

3. The offensive line will be crucial for UC in the season opener.

UC returns four starters on the offensive line, including MSC First Team All-Conference selection Matthew Castner and MSC Second Team members Jackson Norton and Logan Stephens. Matthew Pajares earned a number of starts last season as well. Add high school All-State award winner Johnny Carroll to the mix with a plethora of young talent looking for reps and UC's front line should be one of its strong suits this seasons. If these guys mesh well early, it could spell trouble for the Gyrenes.
 

4. Defense needs to pressure up front early.

Seven defensive starters return to the field from last season, joined by many more who saw action in the Patriots' 12 games. This Patriot defense looks to be one of its biggest assets in 2019. This could be put to the test early as the Gyrenes return Sun Division Offensive Player of the Year Will Tate at quarterback. Cumberlands must pressure him early and often in order to snuff out Ave Maria's opportunities and give the ball back to the Patriot offense.
 

5. Securing the football is necessary to win this game.

The weather for this weekend's game seems to be very favorable. With highs in the mid-90s and lows in the mid-70s, conditions seem to be ideal. With that said, turnovers should be forced and not given away. UC must secure the ball and not offer the Gyrenes any extra opportunities to execute their offense in the game. On the flip side, Cumberlands must do whatever it takes to force a couple of turnovers in the game to come out on top. A turnover margin of +6 was pivotal last season for the Patriots.
 

6. Use the team schedule to your advantage.

UC's schedule is very different this season as many teams have already played entering this week. Coach Rhymer's Patriots will give everything they have against Ave Maria as they have another bye week coming up next week. This will be a great time for UC to regroup and get healthy before their home opener in two weeks against Webber International on September 19^th.
 
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