Laurinburg, NC – The Patriots football team scored on their first their offensive possession, while the defensive continued to stifle opponents as UC defeated St. Andrews 44-6 Saturday afternoon at Knights Field.  With the win, Cumberlands improves to 2-0 on the season and have now won five of their last six road openers.

Ben Nixon led the UC offense going 15-23 for 163 yards and three scores, while Jamar Nuby rushed for a team-high 59 yards.  AP Parham totaled 76 yards as Romeo McKnight posted a team-best 70 receiving yards and a score. 

Adam Caudle notched a team-best eight tackles, while Nate Hancock and Walker Dunn finished with seven tackles apiece and combined for four tackles for loss in the game.  Noah Steen had five tackles and two forced fumbles.  Harlin Brown averaged 51.3 yards per punt and notched a career-high 60-yards punt to flip the field, as Job Matossian hit a 21-yard field goal and 5-6 on PATs.

Cumberlands opened the game on offense and went right to work.  Ben Nixon found AP Parahm for a 17 yard recieption.  A couple plays later, Parham rushed for a 42-yard touchdown down the left side of the field to put UC in front 7-0.  St. Andrews was drove into Patriots territory before Dylan Preston sacked Andrew Fowler and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jacobie Elkins to give the possession back to UC.  Nixon threw for 30 yards on the ensuing drive, which was capped off by a Job Matossian 22 yard-field goal extending the lead to 10-0. On the first play of the next Knights possession Cortez Brown forced and recovered a fumble, which led to a Phillip Garner two-yard score extending the lead to 17-0.  UC posted two more defensive stops to take a 17-0 lead into the second quarter.

St. Andrews took advantage of a UC miscue to get the ball in Patriots territory.  The Knights moved the ball down to the 10 yard line, before Cumberlands defense came up big once again as Walker Dunn forced a nine-yard loss on third down and Elkins broke up the fourth down pass to force the turnover on downs.  After the Patriots went three and out, punter Harlin Brown recorded a career-long 60-yard punt to pin the Knights deep in St. Andrews territory. Two plays later the Patriots defense force their third turnover of the game as Noah Steen recovered the fumble.  UC capped off the short field as Nixon found Jacob Ward for a touchdown, extending the lead to 23-0.  Cumberlands closed out the half with Kumi Sarpong Jr. and Myles Simon combining for a sack as the Patriots took a 23-0 advantage into the break.

Cumberlands defense continue their strong effort and made a big defensive goal line stand to start the third quarter as Nate Hancock broke up a fourth and goal pass to keep the Knights off the board.  After the two teams traded possession, Nixon found Romeo McKnight on consecutive plays for 70 total yards, including a 35-yard touchdown to make it 30-0 late in the third quarter.  UC's defense forced another punt as Cumberlands began to drive leading 30-0 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Patriots started the fourth quarter on a 12 play 81 yards drive that featured 38 yards from Jamar Nuby on the ground.  In addition to Newby, Nixon connected with Elijah Howard twice for a 16- and 13-yards receptions the latter of which resulted in a touchdown to extend UC's lead to 37-0.  St. Andrews looked to drive on their next possession however the Patriots came up with a stop to force a punt. Cumberlands took advantage of a bad snap on the punt attempt as Adam Foulk forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jonathan Heralus at the Knights 23-yard line.  UC wasted no time as Stevie Orr found Skylar Schmidt for a 23-yard touchdown on the next play making it 44-0.  St. Andrews added a score in the final minute for the 44-6 final.

The Patriots defense has limited their opponents to just 12 points through the first two games, which is the fewest points allowed since the 1995 season when they outscored the opposition 66-12 in the first two games.  UC also extended their win streak to nine consecutive wins against AAC opponents dating back to the 2018 season.

The Patriots return to the field Saturday, September 23, as they open MSC play with the defending conference champions Lindsey Wilson.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. with live video of the game available here.

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