Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots football team made halftime adjustments as they outscored Union 23-0 and outgained the Bulldogs 243-50 over the final 30 minutes to pull away for a 30-6 season opener win Saturday night at James H. Taylor, II Stadium.  The win gave Head Coach Shan Housekeeper his first collegiate win as UC retains the Brass Lantern for the fourth consecutive meeting, which is the third longest win streak in the history of the rivalry.

"I'm really proud of how this team battled tonight.  They dealt with some adversity and made the necessary adjustments to help us come away with a win," said Housekeeper.

Ben Nixon led the way for the Patriots offense going 14-27 for 119 yards and one touchdown in the air, while adding 57 yards and a score on the ground.  UC had four rushers with at least 40 yards each led by Jamar Nuby, who finished tied for the team-high with 57 yards on the ground.  AP Parham led the receiving core with four receptions for 80 yards, including a 59 yard touchdown grab. 

Walker Dunn led all Patriots with 10 tackles in the game and added a third quarter sack.  Damon Byrnes-Mitchell, Adam Caudle, and Kendall Adams-Young all finished with seven tackles apiece.  Myles Simon tallied UC's other sack,  which went for a 14-yard loss.  Oluwatobi Adewale and Malik Thornton each notched an interception in the game.  Harlin Brown averaged 38.3 yards per punt on the day as newcomer Job Matossian converted a field goal and three extra points in the win.

Leading 7-6 in the third quarter, the Patriots defense held Union to three and out on their first four drives of the second half.  After the initial stance, the Cumberlands offense started to find its rhythm.  On third and seven, Nixon dropped back and connected with Parham for a 59-yard score to extend UC's lead to 13-6 with 11:36 remaining.  For the Patriots next offensive possession Jones and Nuby combined for 17 yards to open the drive.  On third down, Nixon scrambled and took it himself down the right sidelines for a 28-yard score giving the Patriots a 20-6 advantage midway through the third quarter.

Later in the quarter, UC went on a 13 play, 56-yard drive that was capped off by a 35-yard field goal from Matossian.  A key play on the drive came on third and 10 as Nuby juked getting tackled in the backfield and raced for a 21-yard run down the left side of the field to put the Patriots in field goal range. This drive extend the lead to 23-6.

Cumberlands continued their strong play in the fourth quarter.  As Union picked up a pair of first downs, Adewale forced a turnover as he made a leaping interception on a third and seven to halt the drive.  It was the Patriots first interception of the season.  The two teams traded possession twice before Malik Thornton tallied his first collegiate interception with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter to give Cumberlands possession near midfield.

That next Patriot drive was a nine play, 56-yard drive capped off by a Martize Smith 26-yard touchdown run.  Smith rushed for 36 yards on the drive, while Nuby added ten yards on two carries. Matossian converted the extra point to make it 30-6.  The Patriots defense would make one more stand as the clock ran out on the Bulldogs final drive for the 30-6 final.

UC's first score of the game came on its second possession of the first quarter, which was a ten play, 71 yard drive.  Nixon opened the drive with an 11-yard pass to Addison Ironside and added a 24-yard rush to move UC into Union territory.  Jones ran for 10 yards, before Garner rushed three times for 18 yards.  Nuby capped off the drive with a two-yard score.

Union got on the board in the second quarter after pinning the Patriots deep into their territory.  Kadell Robinson had a 27-yard punt return to Cumberlands 27.  From there the Bulldogs needed three plays as Jahaslin James scored, however, Union tried to go for two but was stopped by the Patriots defense giving UC a 7-6 advantage heading into halftime.

Cumberlands has now held Union to seven points or less in each of the last three meetings as UC improves to 4-0 against the Bulldogs when they play in the season opener.  Patriot new Head Coaches are also 5-1 in their Cumberlands debut.

The Patriots will return to the field on Saturday, September 10, when they travel to Laurinburg, NC to face St. Andrews.  Gametime is set for 1 p.m. with live video of the game is available here.

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