Williamsburg, KY – The UC football team closed out the home portion of its 2022 season in record breaking fashion as the Patriots recorded a single game-record ten sacks in the 35-21 win over Campbellsville Saturday afternoon at James H. Taylor II Stadium.  In addition to the sacks UC  had three interceptions, a blocked field goal, and scored twice on the ground and through the air.

Seniors Kumi Sarpong Jr. and Myles Simon led the way with three sacks and four tackles for loss in the game, while Damon Byrnes-Mitchell made a game-high 12 tackles and an interception.  Walker Dunn notched ten tackles, two of which went for negative yards, an interception and blocked a field goal.  Malik Thornton tallied his second pick six in as many games.

Martize Smith rushed for a season-high 148 yards on the ground and two scores, which was the most by a Patriot this season.  It was also the juniors first multiple touchdown game since October 30, 2021 when he scored twice in the win over Pikeville.  Stevie Orr went 11-20 for 174 yards and two scores to improve to 2-0 as the starter.  J.R. Lucas led the receiving core with 47 yards, while Darius James added two catches for 44 yards and a score.

Cumberlands went in front early as Thornton intercepted a pass and returned it five-yards to complete the pick six on the second play from scrimmage putting UC in front 7-0, 36 seconds into the game.  Campbellsville looked to even the score on their next possession as the put together a 10 play drive to set up first and goal for the Tigers.  However, the Patriots defense came up big with consecutive sacks to set up a 32-yard field, which was ultimately blocked by Dunn keeping Cumberlands in front 7-0. 

The Patriots opened the next drive with a four-yard rush by Smith before Orr connected with Lucas for a 37-yard completion.  Four plays later, Orr found Jamar Nuby cutting across the middle and he raced 33-yards to endzone for the touchdown extending the lead to 14-0 with 5:28 remaining.  The two teams traded possession and the period came to a close on a Sarpong Jr. sack, keeping UC in front 14-0. 

Both teams punted to open the second quarter, before Campbellsville went on an 11 play, 59 yard drive for a score.  Myles Simon recorded a sack on the drive, which was the Patriots fourth sack of the game, but Jager Gillis rush from one-yard out cut the lead to 14-7.  Two minutes later, a special teams miscue by the Patriots gave the Tigers the ball at the Patriots six-yard line.  On the first play of Campbellsville possession Byrnes-Mitchell stepped in front of a pass and intercepted the Tigers to halt the threat and give the ball back to UC.  Campbellsville added a touchdown late in the half  to even the score at 14-14 heading into the break.

Javarie White returned the opening kickoff of the second half 67-yards to the Campbellsville 18 to put the Patriots in the red zone.  Smith rushed three times for 24-yards, including a two-yard rushing touchdown to put the Patriots back in front 21-14 just over a minute into the third quarter.  The Tigers looked for an answer however the Campbellsville drove was cut short as Dunn intercepted a Gillis pass and returned in 27-yard into Tigers territory.  That UC possession stalled as Trip Holloway came on to punt and pinned Campbellsville at their own one-yard line.  Cumberlands defense continued their strong showing as five plays into the drive Sarpong Jr. sacked Gillis for a seven-yard loss forcing a punt.  Orr opened the next drive with a ten-yard run, which was followed by a 40-yard touchdown run from Martize Smith, his long run of the season extending the lead to 28-14.  UC add two more sacks in the quarter as neither team was able to score over the final eight minutes keeping Cumberlands in front 28-14. 

The Patriots defense opened the fourth quarter with a sack as Simon and Sarpong Jr. were able to get to Gillis and force the turnover on downs.  Orr than engineered an eight play, 79-yard drive for a touchdown.  As Smith ran four times for 17 yards, Orr found Elijah Howard for 18-yards and Romeo McKnight for 13-yards.  On first and 20, Orr launched the ball downfield to James for a 41-yard touchdown score making it 35-14 with 10:57 left.  The Tigers responded with a touchdown of their own cutting it to 35-21 midway through the four period.  UC stalled on the next drive as Campbellsville looked to cut into the lead, however, Quinterrius Tanksley and Adam Caudle combined for the final Patriot sack of the game giving Cumberlands a chance to run out the clock for the 35-21 final.

The Patriots will close out the regular season on Saturday, November 12, as they travel up I75 to face Thomas More.  Kickoff is schedule for 1:30 p.m. with live video of the game available here.

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