Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots and Tigers have only once not met in the last 32 years; this season Campbellsville will host the long conference rivalry. Both teams enter the day looking for their second wins of the season, as well as looking to break a two-game win streak.

Cumberlands has the upper hand in terms of history, taking 20 of the 31 games between the pair, 10 of the victories being claimed on the road. The Patriots have the confidence of a win over the Tigers last season, 47-10 on homecoming in Williamsburg. Then, Cumberlands allowed only a field goal to the visiting team in the first half before the Patriots posted three unanswered trips to the endzone, and then another three straight in the final quarter to close the game.

It will be the final road game of the season for the Patriots, currently on a three-game swing. Expect big plays from the Patriots; four of the six scores from the last meeting between these teams were 40 yards or more. Cumberlands will return to Williamsburg for the final two games of the season against Thomas More and Pikeville come April.

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Offensive Workhorse

Patriots running back Martize Smith had a career performance despite UC's week five loss to Bethel. The sophomore rushed for 234 yards while notching the two lone touchdowns for the Patriots. The career day earned him MSC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time of his career.

Smith became the first Patriot since 2018 to break the 200-yard threshold, noting the most yards gained on the ground since 2014. He also almost broke a 1994 school record for rush attempts, two away with 38 carries against the Wildcats.

In Cumberlands' win a year ago, Smith almost broke the century mark with 95 yards to his name in 12 carries, also scoring twice. His longest run of the game was a 56 yarder to cross into the endzone, beginning three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He had the final TD of the game with just over four minutes left on the clock, making it 47-10.

This season, the Tigers have been able to hold their own defensively against the run game with a fair 160 yards allowed on the ground per game. They have not met the Patriots rush attack this season, averaging over 180 yards per contest. Smith will be the go-to man to take on a majority of the workload when it comes to the running game, taking position atop the depth chart and Patriots stat sheet.  He was the starter in the backfield for the Patriots in 2019, tallying just shy of 1,000 rushing yards, a benchmark he cleared earlier this season.

The Patriots have options off the sideline as well when it comes to the run game, Devin Jones looking to take a bigger role in the offense as he builds his experience. The quarterback keeper has also gained almost 70 yards up field.

Open Receivers

While a slow day against Bethel last week, Darius Young will still be a target to keep an eye on in the game. This season, Young caught 22 passes for 279 yards. Against Bethel, the Patriots could not find any success in the air, resulting in his two catches for a low four yards.

History could repeat itself against Campbellsville; in last season's win, Young found himself on the end of a 68-yard pass and a trip into the endzone. His second touchdown of the day was a 41-yard score. He could not be held off the lettering, a 64-yard reception capped his scoring efforts. In just four completions, Young charted 190 yards against the Tigers in 2019.

In addition to Young, several members of the receiving corps are still looking to make their mark. It has been a few games since Alonzo Russell recorded his first collegiate touchdowns, breaking out with two against Cumberland. T.J. Williams got his first score earlier this season as well in his few appearances. Also, Jacob Ward is looking for his number to be called after leading the wideouts against Bethel.

Regardless of the target, the Patriots will need to get back to consistency under center. Campbellsville have averaged 275 yards allowed to opposing arms this season, allowing the Patriots quarterbacks to step in with a potential for big plays too. While the Patriots strength is in the run game, it may offer a chance to get back to the balanced attack seen earlier this season.

Cumberlands' loss at Bethel was the first game of the year that freshman quarterback Gavin Wilkinson did not see any action. Through most of the season, Wilkinson and Nathan Arnold split their time under center to allow both to get necessary reps and keep the opposition guessing. Arnold, getting the starting call against Bethel, went 6-15 for 18 yards and an interception.

Cumberlands put up 336 yards on the Tigers last season, scoring four times with a reliable arm. In addition, they only gave up one interception and two sacks to the opposing team. A majority of the yardage went to one man, Young, and if the passing game can get into a rhythm then Cumberlands can repeat that same success. So far this season, it has been the Wilkinson-Young connection that has moved the ball swiftly downfield.

Force Offensive Miscues

The game is for the Patriots to take easily as long as they can remain consistent on defense. This season, the Tigers have averaged only 50 yards on the ground per game and 240 yards through the air. All nine of their touchdowns have been via the passing game.

The Patriots have the tools necessary to crash the run game and render it obsolete for the Tigers. Brad Montgomery will be tackling off the line to get big defensive blows against the Tigers' backfield. Meanwhile Adam Chaney and Jeremiah McKibben will lead the linebackers to restrict everything up the middle as well.  The trio combine for 42 tackles this season, add in linebacker Chandler Kaylor and the figure jumps past 50.

Chaney was a difference maker against Bethel, noting eight tackles, four solo. Newcomer to the linebacker lineup Cortez Brown posted seven tackles. The complete squadron of linebackers filled out four of the top-five tacklers against Bethel; Chaney, McKibben and Kaylor all rank in the top-five of the team this season with 25, 21 and 18 respectively.

With the run-game taken care of, that leaves rookie Walker Dunn to lead the Patriots secondary against the Tigers' air attack. Dunn looks for another big day defensively, now on a two-game streak leading the team in tackles with double digits recorded at Lindsey Wilson and Bethel. He leads the team in tackles this season with an even 30 to his name.

With the supporting cast of Zeke Moore, Kynan Russell, JR Smith and Drew Howard, the Patriots can lock down the secondary this week. The man the opposing arm will look for will be Tate Pringle, leading the Tigers with 321 receiving yards and six of their nine scores. The wideout has averaged 80 yards per game, averaging 16 yards per reception.

Gameday Information

Visiting fans will not be permitted at Finley Stadium in Campbellsville, KY. Fans can tune into the game via the CU Sports Network for the live broadcast, powered by Campbellsville's Sports Information Department with Jordan Alves on the call. In addition, EZ Country (WEZJ-FM 104.3) and The Tiger (WLCU-FM 88.7) will be broadcasting to their local markets and online.

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