Georgetown, KY – The Cumberlands football team records a kickoff return for a touchdown and an interception return for a touchdown, which proved to be the difference as the Patriots knocked off 11^th-ranked Georgetown 24-23 Saturday afternoon at Toyota Stadium.  With the win, UC improves to  4-4 overall and 2-4 in MSC play, while the Tigers move to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in conference.

"It's so exciting for these players, they did such an outstanding job today," said Head Coach Shan Housekeeper.  "They play so hard and made the plays to win the game.  What an incredible group of student-athletes." 

Malik Thornton tallied his first career multi-interception game, one of which he returned for a touchdown.  Damon Byrnes-Mitchell recorded 16 solo tackles and a career-best 19 tackles in the win.  That was the most tackles in a game since October 12, 2019 when Tyler Pendleton notched 17 tackles against Bethel.  Adam Caudle had six tackles and a sack, while Nate Hancock made five tackles.  UC finished the game with five sacks.

"These players worked so hard to make this happen and it all started with their preparation throughout the week.  I'm so happy for them and it's a lot of fun to win!" said Coach Housekeeper.

Jahmal Hutsell had two returns for 102 yards, including an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.  Harlin Brown averaged 44.3 yards on six punts and pinned the Tigers inside their 20-yard line four times.  He also had a career-best 67 yard punt to pin Georgetown inside their one-yard line.  Job Matossian went 3-3 on PATs and converted a 42-yard field goal.

Stevie Orr lead the Patriot offense going 10-26 for 138 yards and a touchdown.  Elijah Howard caught three passes for 67 yards and a score, while Martize Smith rushed for 67 yards on the ground.  UC had ten different players record at least one catch in the game.

Georgetown got the ball first and moved into Patriots territory, however, consecutive tackles from Damon Byrnes-Mitchell forced a turnover on downs.  On the next Tigers possession, Georgetown drove all the way to the two-yard line, however, Byrnes-Mitchell and Adam Caudle combined to lead the defensive stop forcing Georgetown to settle for a field goal to give them a 3-0 lead.  UC looked to even the score as Stevie Orr connected with Elijah Howard and Darius James for a combined 48-yards to move down to Georgetown's 32-yard line before the drive stalled.  The Tigers took their 3-0 lead into the second quarter of play. 

Both defenses continued their strong efforts in the second quarter, despite giving up yards neither team was able to score on the first three drives of the period.  UC took over possession at the Cumberlands at their own 25-yard line as Orr drove the Patriots on a ten play, 75-yard scoring drive.  Devin Jones and Martize Smith combined for 29 yards on five carries to move the ball to midfield.  On third and 11, Orr found Howard for a 30-yard completion moving into the redzone.  Smith added 11 more yards on the ground, before Orr connected with Howard in the corner of the endzone to put Cumberlands in front 7-3 with 2:30 remaining.  Cumberlands defense forced another Tigers punt as UC took the 7-3 advantage into the break.

Georgetown halted the Patriots opening drive off the second half with an interception.  Three plays later, Gehrig Slunaker completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Adams to put the Tigers in front 10-7.  On the ensuing kickoff Jahmal Hutsell caught it at the 12-yard line cut towards the middle of the field and returned it 88-yards for a touchdown to put UC back in front 14-10.  This was the Patriots first kickoff return for a touchdown since October 3, 2015 when Wendall Williams returned a 75-yard kickoff return for a score against Bethel.  Both defense continued to hold the opposition scoreless over the remainder of the quarter.  In the final minute Malik Thornton intercepted a Slunaker pass and returned it 24-yards to the Tigers 40 as the Patriots take a 14-10 lead into the fourth quarter.

Cumberlands added 12-yards on the ground from Smith and Javarie White to set up a field goal attempt.  Job Matosssian converted a 42-yard field goal to extend Cumberlands lead to 17-10 with 12:25 remaining.  It's Matossian's eighth field goal of the season and he has now made a field goal in seven of the eight games this season.  Georgetown looked for a response and compiled a 14 play, 56-yard drive however the Patriots defense stopped the Tigers on fourth down to force the turnover on downs.  After a Patriots three and out, Georgetown took over at their own 47-yard line.  Two plays later, Thornton notches his second interception this one he returns 74 yards to the house to extend Cumberlands lead to 24-10 with 4:12 remaining.

Georgetown responded with a 22-yard score on their first play from scrimmage to cut the lead to 24-17 with 3:54 remaining.  The Tigers added another touchdown two minutes later but missed the extra point keeping Cumberlands in front 24-23 with 1:41 left.  Georgetown recovered the on-side kick and moved the ball down to Cumberlands 22-yard line.  From that point the Patriots defense stepped up once again led by Myles Simon, who forced an international grounding penalty.  On second down, Cortez Brown got to the quarterback and forced a fumble, which was recovered by the Tigers.  Two plays later, Adam Caudle had a strip sack, which was recovered by Brown to secure the 24-23 win.

It marks the Patriots first win against Georgetown since the 2019 season, while they defeated the Tigers 14-7 in Georgetown. It's also Cumberlands first win against a NAIA top-15 opponent since November 23, 2019 when they knocked off #7 Keiser 28-24.

The Patriots will return home to host Campbellsville on Saturday November 5^th.  Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. with live video available here.  Prior to the game, UC will be honoring its 2022 senior class.

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