McKenzie, TN – For the second consecutive week the Patriots football team blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown however it wasn't enough as UC fell to #8 Bethel 43-13 Saturday night at Wildcats Field.  In addition to the special teams score, Kumi Sarpong Jr. reached a program milestone as he tied Corey Maddox as the career sacks leader with 22.0.

Damon Byrnes-Mitchell blocked a punt for the second straight week to lead UC, while Adam Caudle finished with a team-best eight solo tackles.  Nate Hancock finished with three tackles and an interception as Walker Dunn notched six tackles in the game. 

Trip Holloway punted the ball seven times, averaging 45.4 yards per punt and pinned the Wildcats inside their 20 twice.  Offensively, Ben Nixon led they way throwing for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Javarie White rushed for a team-high 41 yards.  Eight different receivers caught a pass led by Elijah Howard with 28 yards and Skyler Schmidt, who totaled 21 yards and a score. 

Cumberlands went three and out on each of their first two possessions as the game remained scoreless.  On Bethel's second possession Sarpong Jr. and Jacobie Elkins each deflected a pass to force a punt near midfield.  For the second straight week Damon Byrnes-Mitchell came off the end, laid out, and blocked the punt, which was recovered by Adam Foulk, who ran it into the endzone for a score putting Cumberlands in front 7-0.  The Wildcats responded with a 14 play, 80 yard drive that lasted almost majority of the quarter, however, a missed extra point kept UC in front 7-6 as play moved into the second quarter.  On that drive, Sarpong Jr. sacked Joaquin Collazo for a loss of four, marking his record tying 22^nd career sack.

After getting stopped on the next possession UC was forced to punt. Holloway sent a booming 42-yard punt and on the coverage, White stripped the ball and recovered it at the Bethel 26 yard line setting the Patriots up with their best field position of the game.  Cumberlands picked up a first down before the drive stalled and missed field goal kept the score 7-6.  Bethel added 13 unanswered points to take a 19-7 lead with 4:48 remaining in the first half.  The Patriots responded with a nine play drive of their own.  Nixon connected with Howard for a 29-yard gain, while Jamar Nuby and White combined for 27 yards one the ground moving the ball into the redzone.  On third and seven, Nixon found Skyler Schmidt cutting across the middle of the field for a touchdown making it 19-13.  Bethel added a late field goal to take a 22-13 lead at the break. 

Bethel outscored the Patriots 21-0 in the second half for the 43-13 final.  Cumberlands moves to 3-3 on the year and 1-3 in MSC play, while the Wildcats improve to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

UC will return home to face the University of Pikeville next Saturday, October 15.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with live video available here.

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