Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots commanded their way to their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon, securing their first win of the season 42-12 over Cumberland University. Cumberlands took care of business against the Phoenix, setting the tone from their first offensive play leading to a touchdown.
 
After a heavy passing game against Georgetown a week ago, the Patriots flipped the script and got back to running the ball up the gut against a broken Cumberland defense. Nine different rushers recorded numbers for the Patriots, totaling 377 of the Patriots 501 offensive yards.
 
Today's game was presented by PT Pros Physical Therapy and Sports Centers. PT Pros is a multi-location physical therapy practice, serving the commonwealth of Kentucky. They are locally owned and operated by some of the nation's leading practitioners. Wisit their newest location right here in Williamsburg, located at 109 North Main Street.. 
 
By the Numbers
Zalon Reynolds got the call offensively to open action, busting through the line for 64 yards and diving into the endzone for the first score of the game. It was a career day for the junior, recording the most yards on the ground ever as a Patriot. He finished the day with a pair of scores and 162 yards, averaging 20.5 yards per carry against the Phoenix.
 
Under center, Gavin Wilkinson was responsible for 124 passing yards with nine completions in his second collegiate game. This week, the hot target was redshirt-freshman Alonzo Russel, who caught four receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Darius Young was held to three targets and one trip to the endzone.
 
Brad Montgomery repeated history against the Phoenix in the second quarter, getting a defensive score as he did a season ago on a blocked punt. This time around, he was the lone man to notice a loose ball rolling in Cumberland territory, cooping it up and running it back for a 32-yard score.
 
The Phoenix run game could not get too far past Jeremiah McKibben, if they could break from the line at all. The senior led the defensive unit with eight tackles in the game, four solo. Offering a hand was fellow linebacker Adam Chaney, smoothing over the line of scrimmage to register 1.5 tackles for loss (13 yards) and one sack (five yards). Chaney and Montgomery both lent six tackles apiece.
 
The Patriots offense surged with the first 500-yard game since homecoming in 2019 against Campbellsville. Meanwhile, the defense stifled the Phoenix to only 208 yards allowed. Specifically, they squashed the passing game to only two completions for 18 net yards.
 
How it Happened
The Patriots defense stood tall against the Phoenix, who had the first possession. A three-and-out led to a punt to put the Patriots on their own 36 yard line. One play was all the home team needed; Reynolds punched through the hole at the line of scrimmage to chase down the endzone. A dive and tip of the ball knocking over the pilon put six on the board for the Patriots.
 
On the following possession, Cumberlands had a touch of success on the ground before the Patriots adjusted their defense. Notably, Adam Chaney registered the first sack of his career, pushing back the Phoenix another five yards on third down to bring up fourth and a long 13.
 
Wilkinson kept his cool under pressure this week, relying on hot targets to move upfield. He found Young across the field, making the clean pass across his body. The completion was marched to the three yard line before being called back on penalty.
 
Instead, Russell found open space in the back left corner of the endzone for his first collegiate score as a Patriot. He hauled in the pass from 22 yards out to go up 14-0 on the score line.
 
With the ball again after a Cumberland score, Reynolds quickly broke out for another big gain. A 32-yard rush by the Alabama product put him over the century mark for only the second time in his career. The last time he noted a game over 100 yards was against Faulkner in 2018.
 
The Patriots turned over the ball on downs after finding themselves in no-man's land on the edge of another redzone trip. The defense once again held the Phoenix without allowing a first down, forcing a punt on fourth and 29.
 
The Patriots were able to capitalize on the great field positioning after the short 12 yard punt whiffed out of bounds. Young scored for the Pats after lining up alongside Wilkinson in the backfield. The touchdown was scored on the wheel route to go up 21-6 just before first quarter expired.
 
The defense held the Phoenix to only four first downs picked up in the first quarter; the story was much of the same in the second. The Patriots picked up momentum with the second-quarter defensive score by Montgomery, picking up the botched handoff and ran it back 32 yards for points.
 
On the following play, the defense sacked the visiting team on fourth down; senior Drew Howard came from the secondary to tackle the quarterback for a loss and allow the Patriots to set up shop on their own 36 yard line again.
 
With 4:14 remaining in the half, Reynolds again made a surge for the endzone. He broke through the secondary for the 45-yard trip to put the Patriots ahead 34-6. Tripp Holloway picked up the PAT to make it an even 35; he went 6-6 for extra points on the day.
 
Wilkinson led his team downfield to the 37 yard line as halftime loomed, unable to put more points on before the clock ran out. On the opposite side of the break, the Patriots got to work from their own 35 yard line. They opened the second half on a high note as Russell scored on his second look to the endzone, unopposed on fourth down from 41 yards out.
 
Moving deeper in their roster, the Patriots offense did not score after Russell's look early in the third, and allowed the Phoenix only one more look to the endzone in the final quarter. The final half allowed backs Devin Jones and Jamar Nuby a chance on the ground, combining for 85 yards of offense. Jones had a stellar showing in his debut, noting 53 yards on four touches.
 
Up Next
The Patriots look ahead to a trip to Columbia, KY only a short week away. Lindsey Wilson hosts Cumberlands on Friday for a 3:30 PM eastern kickoff. No Patriots fans will be allowed at Blue Raider Stadium.
 
Cumberlands has their work cut out for them, playing the reigning divisional champions on their turf. The Patriots are 1-1 on the season while the Blue Raiders took the week off against Georgetown, postponing the game to the first bye week. Lindsey Wilson won their season opener 49-0 over Pikeville.
 
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