Miami Gardens, FL – The University of the Cumberlands scored a touchdown on each of its first six possessions en route to a 56-12 win over Florida Memorial Saturday afternoon at Traz Powell Stadium.  With the win UC improves to 2-0 on the season and 8-0 all-time against the MSC Sun Division, including a perfect 5-0 in the state of Florida.

"Today was a complete team effort and quality win for the program," said Head Coach Matt Rhymer.  "I'm really proud of how these guys handled the long trip and they came out with a strong performance."

Ben Nixon led the way for the Patriots as he accounted for 249 yards, 163 passing and 86 rushing, to go along with a career-high four scores.  Martize Smith collected his seventh 100yard performance of his career tallying 115 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.  Alonzo Russell caught four passes for 69 yards and a score, while Eli Evans posted three grabs and a touchdown.

Defensively, Kumi Sarpong Jr. led the way with 5 tackles, including a career-high 3.5 sacks for 39 yards.  Damon Byrnes-Mitchell recorded his first career multi-interceptions to go along with three tackles.  He now has a team-high three picks on the year.  Walker Dunn tallied a game-high eight tackles, while Adam Caudle made six.

The game opened with a strong defensive effort as Florida Memorial was held to three and out on each of its first three possessions.  The Patriots offensive got things going right from the jump as Nixon connected with Stuckey for a 54-yard completion as UC ran a flea-flicker on their first offensive play to get the ball to the Lions 1-yard line.   Two plays later, Nixon found Russell for a three-yard strike putting the Patriots ahead 7-0. Nixon continued to let his presence be known as on the first play of Cumberlands second drive he rushed the ball for a career-high 57-yards up the right side for a touchdown extended the lead to 14-0 midway through the first quarter.



Cumberlands continued to click on all cylinders as their next possession saw a 37-yard reception by Russell followed by three straight Smith runs to punch the ball into the endzone for the score.  With UC up 21-0, Byrnes-Mitchell picked off an Antoine Williams and returned it 23-yards to the Lions 5-yard line. On the next play, Stuckey did an end-around for his first rushing touchdown of his Patriot career to extend the lead to 28-0 with 8:07 remaining in the opening quarter.  Florida Memorial cut the lead to 28-6 before Jamar Nuby converted a fourth and one to keep the Patriots next possession alive heading into the second quarter.



UC completed its nine-play, 72-yard drive with three consecutive completions by Eli Evans, including a five-yard touchdown strike making it 35-6.  Kendall Adams-Young and the combination of Sarpong Jr. and Myles Simon accounted for a pair of sacks on Florida Memorial's next possession forcing another three-and-out.  Zalon Reynolds ran for 13 yards, before Nixon found Chase Overstreet for a touchdown to extend the lead once again.  After the two teams traded possessions, the Lions marched up the field and were threatening to score.  However, on a fourth and six, Sarpong Jr. notched his second sack of the game to force the turnover as the Patriots took a 42-6 lead into the break.



Florida Memorial struck first in the third quarter cutting into the lead 42-12.  After the two teams traded possessions, Nuby ran for 25-yards on three carries to tally the Patriots seventh touchdown of the afternoon and make it 49-12 with 6:09 left.  UC's defense continued its strong effort notching two sacks before Byrnes-Mitchell picked off the Lions for the second time on the afternoon to give Cumberlands a 49-12 lead heading into the fourth quarter.



Devin Jones opened the final period with a 26-yard touchdown, 23 second into the fourth giving the Patriots a 56-12 advantage.  Tripp Holloway converted his eighth PAT of the game to finish the game an unblemished 8-8.  Florida Memorial looked to cut into the lead once again as they drove the ball into their redzone.  With four plays in the redzone, the Lions couldn't convert as Bryson Williams and Jamar Roberts deflected passes before Sarpong Jr. made a fourth-down sack to end the threat.  Cumberlands tallied one more sack on the Lions last possession as Noah Steen and Dequavion Harper combined for the effort. UC would run out the clock for the 56-12 final.



In the game, Cumberlands accounted for 544 yards of offense, averaging 9.1 yards per play.

The Patriots will have a bye week before hosting Southeastern on Saturday, September 25.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at James H. Taylor, II Stadium. 

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