Williamsburg, KY – (RV) University of the Cumberlands outscored (RV) Bethel 33-12 in the second half to pull away for a 47-15 win in their Mid-South Conference opener Saturday night at James H. Taylor, II Stadium.  The Patriots remain unbeaten overall as they improve to 4-0 and extends their win streak to seven straight.  

"I'm really proud of our team and our coaching staff for tonight's performance," said Head Coach Matt Rhymer. "These guys really wanted to win the game and weren't going to settle for anything less."

UC came out with a strong defensive effort holding the Wildcats, who came into the game averaging 35 points per game to just 15 points, while recording three interceptions, recovering two fumbles, and making four sacks that helped shift the momentum of the game. Chandler Kaylor led the Patriots with six tackles and a fumble recovery, while five Patriots finished with five tackles a piece.  Kendall Adams-Young notched a pair of sacks, while Kumi Sarpong Jr. earned his 18^th career sack, which moves him into a three-way tie for fourth all-time in UC history.
"These guys are preparing well every week and they have continued to do a tremendous job of scoring or setting up scores, which makes a difference," said Rhymer.

Offensively, Ben Nixon paced the Patriots tallying four touchdowns and 158 yards of total offense. Martize Smith added 74 yards on the ground to lead the Patriots, who finished with 219 in the contest.  Brandon Stuckey made a pair of catches for 46 yards, while adding 18 yards and his second rushing touchdown of the season.
Patriots punter Harlin Brown made the most of his chances tonight as he took six punts for 249 yards, averaging 41.5 yards per punt and pinning the Wildcats inside their 20 five times.

The game opened as a defensive battle as two high-powered offenses struggled to find their rhythm early in first quarter. For the second straight game, the Patriots defense forced a turnover on the opening drive, this time off of a Nate Hancock interception.  The two teams traded possessions three times until the Wildcats put together a 10 play, 51 yard drive which was capped off by an Austin Abbott 31 yard field goal to put Bethel ahead 3-0.  Both defenses continued to step up preventing teams from getting into scoring possession as Bethel took a 3-0 lead into the second quarter.
The second quarter opened with three straight punts and a missed fourth-down conversion as the score remained 3-0.  After stopping the Wildcats on fourth-down the Patriots took over at their own 37 yard line.  Smith and Eli Evans combined for 46 yards as UC drove the ball to the 12 yard-line.  Back-to-back runs by Smith brought Cumberlands down to one as Nixon found Evans for touchdown to give the Patriots their first lead of the game 7-3 with 2:09 remaining.
After consecutive three-and-outs, it looked the UC would take a 7-3 lead into the break, however, Brandon Moore muffed a Harlin Brown punt at the three-yard line and AP Parham jumped on it to give Cumberlands the ball with 34 seconds remaining.  On third and goal, Nixon found Devin Jones on the far side of the field for a score extending the lead to 14-3 at halftime.
Bethel cut into the lead as they intercepted Nixon on the opening drive of the third quarter and converted it into a touchdown cutting the lead to 14-9.  On UC's next possession, Nixon drove the Patriots down to the five yard line, where it looked like they were going to settle for a field goal, however a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Patriots a second chance. Cumberlands took advantage of the opportunity as Nixon punched it in on quarterback sneak to extend the lead to 21-9 with 6:09 remaining. 

The Patriots defense was just getting warmed up as on Bethel's next offensive play Drew Howard forced a fumble, which was recovered by Adams-Young at the Bethel 27.  On the ensuing possession Nixon connected with Stuckey for a 16 yard reception before three straight runs led to Jones' second score of the night and gave UC a 27-9 advantage.  Bethel responded with a three-play drive capped off by a 65-yard reception from James Dixon cutting the lead to 27-15 after the third quarter.
The Wildcats were threatening once again as the fourth quarter began, however, on a first and ten from Cumberlands 27, Nolan Chowbay was intercepted by Jacobie Elkins, who returned it 90 yards down to the Bethel 2.  It marked Elkins first interception of the season, and UC's fourth consecutive games with multiple picks.  Nixon would extend the Patriots lead on a quarterback rush for the two-yard score making it 33-15.  Cumberlands scored on each of its next two possession as Stuckey and Jamar Nuby cross the plain making it 47-15 in favor of the Patriots.  Cumberlands made one more defensive stop before running out the clock for the 47-15 final.
The Patriots will return to the field Saturday, October 9, when they travel to Lebanon, TN to face Cumberland.  Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. EST with live video available here.

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