Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots seniors capped their career with a thriller, taking down Thomas More in overtime. After an opposing field goal, Cumberlands needed four plays to bust into the endzone for the victory.
 
A fourth quarter touchdown by the Saints tied up the contest and forced the Patriots into their first overtime game since the season opener at Ave Maria last season. The defense stood tough with a pair of pass breakups to hold the Saints to a field goal. Ben Nixon connected with Chase Overstreet to move the home team to the two yard line and allow Martize Smith to punch in the final score.
 
Cumberlands football closed their spring with a winning season, moving to 4-3 overall in the conference-only calendar. Friday night's game was presented by Forcht Bank. Now, the Patriots prepare for the fall season in a few short months.
 
Appalachian Wireless is proud to be a dedicated partner of Patriots Athletics and the Cumberlands Football program. They are Eastern Kentucky's leading provider of high-quality telecommunications products and services since 1991. Appalachian Wireless is supports local communities and committed to excellence throughout their service areas.
 
By the Numbers
It was a defensive battle for both teams on the field, though Cumberlands offense rolled with several big plays. Their defense held Thomas More below their average at 312 yards allowed, most coming through the air.
 
The Patriots offensive play-calling was balanced in term of yardage during the season finale, although most of the big plays came through the air. He saw a few snaps earlier this season, but Nixon was called in as the secondary quarterback of the evening and held his own. He tallied 10 completions for 181 yards in the win, passing for his first collegiate score.
 
Alonzo Russell finally crossed the century mark for a career receiving day. He led the receiving corps with 102 yards and a touchdown, his third of the season. Overstreet had several good targets, posting 30 yards as the tight end. Eli Evans went for 38 yards in his first collegiate catch.
 
Thomas More defended fair against the Patriots run game, forcing the home team into the air. Cumberlands did go 169 yards down field on rush attempts. Smith led the crew with 24 touches and 66 yards, also tallying another pair of scores for a total of six in 2021. Meanwhile Nixon continued his day with a ground attack, tucking the ball and carrying another 60 yards for the Patriots. The longest rush of the day only went for 25 yards, pounded through by Zalon Reynolds.
 
Jamar Roberts led the Patriots defense, getting recognized for his third interception of the season to go along with his nine tackles, four solo. JR Smith tallied one tackle for loss in his seven of the day, five of which solo. The ball hawk also broke up three passes and nearly had an interception of his own.
 
How it Happened
On both sides of the ball, the defense was the name of the game. The first score of the game was not put up until the second quarter when Thomas More was able to take advantage of a penalty and rush in on the goal line for the go-ahead. They led 6-0 after the PAT was missed.
 
The following drive, Cumberlands took their first lead with the rebuttal. They noted back-to-back first down pickups with Nixon finding Russell for 13 yards followed by Reynolds' rush for 25. A 21-yard pass back to Russell put the Patriots ahead as the PAT stayed true.
 
Late in the second, Russell recorded his biggest catch of the season of 52 yards to move into the redzone. The young wideout could not keep a handle on it however, fumbling the ball for a turnover. The score held however heading into halftime.
 
Harlin Brown pinned the opposition at the seven yard line in the third and the defense forced a three-and-out. The punt kept the Patriots in prime real estate for a score. With the offense taking formation, Nixon passed 38 yards to the two yard line on the pass to Evans. Smith punched the ball in up the middle for his first score of the night and to go up eight on the Saints.
 
Cumberlands looked to extend their lead twice but could not put the field goal through the uprights. Zyan Hollis tipped a pass late in the third, landing in the hands of Roberts. He picked up 22 yards on the return, his third interception at home this season.
 
Cumberlands would not score in the rest of regulation. Meanwhile Thomas More fought back, four drives after the Patriots score they were finally able to answer with a 32-yard pass, converting for two on the PAT.
 
The clock ran out shortly after the Patriots were forced to punt despite a pair of first downs gained in their final drive. Both teams elected to go to overtime to determine the winner.
 
The Patriots did not allow a first down to the Saints to open the overtime period, holding their opponents to a field goal from 40 yards out. On the other end, the Patriots relied on a pass over the middle to Overstreet to move the chains forward. Smith recorded his second score od the evening, sixth of the season, to walk-off the field with the win.
 
Up Next
While not making the postseason this year, the Patriots cap their 2021 spring season with a win. They now prepare for the traditional fall season of 2021, set to begin in late August. The schedule for the new season will be finalized and released at a future date.
 
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