Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots football team is seeking its sixth straight winning season as they travel to Crestview Hills, KY to face Thomas More in the season finale Saturday afternoon with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Republic Bank Field.  It's the fourth meeting between these two schools and the third time that they have squared off in northern Kentucky.  The Saints took the last meeting 26-9, however, UC holds the series lead 2-1.

"We are looking to finish the season strong and keep building upon the momentum that we have gained throughout the season and especially in over the past three weeks," said Head Coach Shan Housekeeper.  "This team continues to play hard every snap and we expect the same on Saturday."

The Patriots enter the game with a 5-4 record after consecutive wins over #11 Georgetown and Campbellsville.  Thomas More enters the game with a 4-6 record dropping three straight games, including a 35-0 loss to Georgetown last Saturday.  A win for the Saints on Saturday will move them to .500 in conference play for the 2022 season.

Create Pressure and Wreak Havoc with the Defensive Line:
Cumberlands is coming off of setting a single game team record with 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in the win over Campbellsville last Saturday.  Kumi Sarpong Jr. and Myles Simon lead the way with three sacks apiece.  UC has compiled 41 sacks on the season, which is second in the NAIA, while Simon, Cortez Brown, and Sarpong Jr. holds the individual top three spots for sack leaders in the Mid-South Conference.  In addition to sacks, the Patriots have 95 tackles for loss this season in part to the tenacious pressure of the defensive line.  Cumberlands is three sacks away from tying the single season sack record of 44 set back during the 1987 season. 

"Our defense line has a strong belief and work ethic that gets better each week.  Coach Bryant has done an incredible job of preparing them week in and week out," said Coach Housekeeper.

Win the Line of Scrimmage:

The Patriots had one of their best offensive outputs scoring two touchdowns through the air and a pair on the ground.  That has come in part to the offensive line, who will need to win the line of scrimmage on Saturday for Cumberlands to come away victorious.  Logan Stephens, Blake Gresham, Nick Buzzell, Malachi Hayden and Curtis LeFlore Jr. are set to get the start on Saturday and have limited the Tigers pass rush to one sack last Saturday.  If this group can continue to create holes for Martize Smith, who is off of a season-high 148 yards and two scores against Campbellsville with no negative rushing attempts, then it should be a great day for UC.  Stevie Orr will get his third start of the season for the Patriots and will look to move to 3-0 on the year. 

Special Teams Needs to Be Special:

In the beginning of the season Coach Housekeper noted that special teams are going to need to make big plays and have an impact on the game every week and for the Patriots that has held true in every facet.  UC has blocked six kicks this season, including a pair of punts, three field goals, and an extra point, while scoring three special teams kickoffs.  Damon Byrnes-Mitchell has three blocks on the year to lead the way, while Walker Dunn added a block field goal in last week's game against the Tigers.  Additionally Job Matossian has converted eight field goals on the season, which is the fifth most for a season in Patriots history.  UC has also continued to get strong performances in the return game as Jahmal Hutsell is averaging 33.0 yards per return, including his 88-yard kickoff return to the endzone against Georgetown.  Javarie White added a 67-yard return last weekend as well.  If the Patriots special teams can make a big play again this weekend it could lead to another win.

"Our special teams continues to influence the game in all facets and can have a huge impact in field position.  These players battle and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way," said Coach Housekeeper.

Win the Turnover Battle:

Cumebrlands comes into the game +10 in the turnover battle and looking to utilize that to help carry them to another strong performance.  Freshman cornerback Malik Thornton has a pick six in consecutive games to tie the program and has four interceptions on the season.  Walker Dunn added an interception against the Tigers last weekend, while the Cumberlands secondary is looking to pick up a couple more against the Saints.  Another key for the Patriots defense has been the strong play of their linebackers led by Adam Caudle, Dunn, and Chandler Kaylor and Byrnes-Mitchell.  Those four lead the Patriots in tackles this season and create matchup problems for the opposition in both the run game and the passing game.

"Walker and Damon display a great wiliness to shuffle around and make a positive impact on the field no matter what role we are asking them to play," said Coach Housekeeper.  "Those two along with the rest of the linebacking core continues to be instrumental in the Patriots success."

Live video of the game will be available here, while live stats are available here.

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