Bowling Green, KY – Kumi Sarpong Jr. has been a force on the Patriots football defensive line for the past five seasons and in his final game at James H. Taylor II Stadium the senior led the UC defense to a program record Saturday afternoon.  Sarpong Jr. performance, which included three sacks, led him to be named the Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week, conference officials announced Monday.

Sarpong Jr. closed out the game with eight tackles, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a season-high three sacks against Campbellsville.  It was also his second multi-sack game this season as he now has 7.5 sacks, which ranks second in the Mid-South Conference.  The Grayson, GA native is also third in the MSC with 12 tackles for loss.

The senior opened the game strong with two tackles for loss on the Tigers second possession.  After Campbellsville drove the ball down to set up a first and goal Sarpong Jr. record a three-yard loss on a rush, before sacking Jager Gillis for a six-yard loss.  Those two plays ultimately led to the Patriots blocking as field goal keeping UC in front 7-0.  Sarpong Jr. picked up his second sack of the game on the final play of the opening period to set up a third and 22 for the Tigers.

Sarpong Jr. continued to wreak havoc along the defensive line throughout the game.  On Campbellsville first possession of the third quarter, Sarpong Jr. sacked Gillis for a seven-yard loss and forced a fumble leading to a Tigers punt.  The Grayson, GA native opened the fourth quarter teaming with Myles Simon for a fourth down sack to force the turnover on downs.  This performance led to a 35-21 Patriots win over the Tigers. 

The Grayson, GA native is the Patriots career leader with 26.0 sacks.  He is also part of UC's defense that has notched 41 sacks on the season, which is the second most in the NAIA.

Cumberlands will return to the field Saturday, November 12, when they travel to Crestview Hills, KY to face Thomas More in the season finale.  Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. with live video available here.

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