Pikeville, KY – Trailing by 24-points at halftime, the UC football team outscored Pikeville 27-0 in the second half behind a milestone day from Martize Smith to defeat the Bears 41-38 Saturday afternoon.  The 24-point comeback is the Patriots largest second half deficit to overcome in the past decade as UC improves to 6-2 on the season.

Smith led the charge for Cumberlands tallying 185 yards and two touchdowns over the final two and half quarters of play.  Not only did Smith record a season-high in yards with his performance today he becomes the ninth Patriot to surpass 2,000 career yards as he moves into ninth place in the program record book with 2,094 yards.

Jakob Greer, making his first start went 14-27 for 189 and four touchdowns.  Brandon Stuckey led the receiving core with seven receptions for 91 yards and the go-ahead score.  Alonzo Russell added 73 yards, while Ethan Cox and AP Parham notched a touchdown apiece. 

Defensively, UC was led by Adam Caudle, who recorded a team-high 12 tackles.  Myles Simon added seven tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.  Jamar Roberts and Nate Hancock each tallied an interception in the game, while Tae Hammond finished with five tackles and fumble recovery for UC.

Pikeville took control of the game early scoring on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead.  The Bears then forced a turnover on the ensuing kickoff, which led to another Pikeville score giving them a 14-0 lead three minutes into the first quarter.  The two teams traded possession before UC started to make a drive behind 29 yards by Zalon Reynolds to move the ball into UPike territory.  However, Pikeville made the fourth-down stop to take over.  The Bears pushed the ball up the field on a 13 play drive to take a 21-0 lead less than a minute into the second quarter.

Cumberlands picked up the urgency on the next drive as Greer connected with Russell for a 41-yard strike on the first play.  UC took advantage of a pair of Bears penalties as Greer found Parham for the score to cut the lead to 21-7.  The two teams traded possession as they each turned it over on downs, before UPike converted another score giving them a 28-7 lead midway through the second quarter.  Pikeville extended their lead to 31-7 on 23-yard Jakob Sandorf field goal.  On his second rush from scrimmage Smith recorded a 15-yard push to move the ball into Bears territory. Two plays later Greer found Stuckey for a 34-yard strike before Smith ran it from nine yards out making it 31-14 with 3:13 remaining.  The Bears responded with a touchdown of their own to take a 38-14 advantage into the break.

Parham tallied a 36-yard return on the opening kickoff of the second half putting the ball close to mid-field.  Smith rushed for 21 yards on three plays, which set up a play action to Russell for a 30-yard score as UC cut the deficit to 38-21 just over a minute into the third quarter.  Pikeville's field goal attempt hit the upright, and the Patriots started to flip the momentum.  Cumberlands went on a 13 play, 80 yard capped off by a three-yard rush from Smith to make it 38-27.  UPike looked to answer, however, were intercepted on consecutive possessions. The second one was by Roberts, who returned it 57-yards to Bears 13-yard line.  On a third and 11, Greer rolled out and found Ethan Cox for an 11-yard touchdown reception to bring UC within one possession a 38-34 as play moved into the fourth quarter.

Cumberlands defense continue to step up big as Myles Simon, Quinterrius Tansley and Cortez Brown helped force a fourth and long situation.  On the punt attempt the ball, Pikeville fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Tae Hammond to give UC possession in Bears territory.  The Patriots unable to take advantage of the opportunity as the two teams traded possession give Cumberlands a new drive starting at UPike's 43.  Smith accumulated 30-yards, before Greer connected with Stuckey for the go-ahead touchdown in the left corner of the endzone putting UC in front 41-38 with 8:33 remaining.  UC turned to their defense to make the stop as they forced Pikeville to turn it over on downs with 5:21 remaining.  From that point, the Patriots utilized their ground and pound game.  Smith tallied back-to-back 11 yard rushes and Greer converted a third and seven with a 14 yard run of his own.  With the clock continuing to wind Smith ran for 19 yards down to the UPike two-yard line as UC took the a couple knees to secure the 41-38 final.

Cumberlands tallied 431 yards of total offense, including 242 on the ground.  Harlin Brown made a pair of punts in the game for 98 yards, while UC took advantage of red zone opportunities converting six chances into scores.

The Patriots will return to the field Saturday, November 6^th, when they travel to Georgetown to face the 20^th-ranked Tigers.  Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. with live video available here and live stats available here.

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