Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots are coming off a huge victory last weekend and look to build off that momentum as they travel to Faulkner University for a matchup with the Eagles. UC are now 4-2 on the year and 1-1 in MSC play while Faulkner are 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
UC are 5-1 all-time against FU and earned a 37-7 victory in their most recent contest in Williamsburg last season. Cumberlands fell to the Eagles last time they played on the road in Montgomery, AL in 2022 and are looking for their first away victory over Faulkner since 2012.
Buy In to Success
Coach Shan Housekeeper was impressed with his team last week, and how they continued to work this week after a big win. He commented on the team saying, "A win like that helps our guys buy in to what it takes to create success … Every week is about what we are doing to improve our program, and this week is no different."
Handle Business on the Road
The Pats are 1-2 on the road this year with a win over Bluefield and losses to Reinhardt and Bethel. UC led in both of those games, coming out strong against BU and having a good second-half performance against RU. Coach Housekeeper and the Patriots have made it a point to come out of the gates focused and keep the same intensity for the entirety of the contest.
"Going on the road is always a challenge and the next phase for our program is to improve how we handle away games … I think our guys are prepared and ready to overcome this obstacle."
Execute on Defense
UC's defense are coming off a great performance, holding an LWC offense that averaged 37 ppg to just 14. Adam Caudle had a stellar individual performance, recording 14 tackles and earning MSC and NAIA defensive player of the week honors. As a team, the Pats rank eighth in the NAIA in interceptions with 10 on the year, and 18th in points allowed, holding their opponents to an average of 17.7 ppg.
"We have continued to improve and have shown that we can perform at a very high level when we are executing," said Housekeeper on his defense. "When we execute at a high level and pair that with everyone giving a tremendous amount of effort, that's when we get the results we want."
Faulkner come into the weekend averaging 18.50 points per game with 230 of their 320 yards per game coming through the air. UC will look to get a big push upfront to put pressure on the Eagles quarterback. Defensive end Hunter Zirkle leads the team with six tackles for loss and is tied with Caudle for the team lead in sacks with three. Jeremy Hamilton has a pair of interceptions for UC while Malik Thornton and Jalen Yearby each recorded an INT a week ago.
Capitalize on Offense
The Patriots offense average just under 30 points per contest and are one of the best teams in the NAIA in scoring in the redzone. UC has put points on the board each of the 22 times they have reached the redzone this season, one of two teams in the country to have a perfect percentage. Their run game has played a major factor in this success and keeps the clock in motion at the same time. Coach mentioned this while talking about the key factors in this week's matchup saying, "We have to capitalize on every snap because every play holds tremendous value." Against LWC the Pats had just 18 snaps in the second half due to both teams chewing the clock through the run. Coach Housekeeper emphasized this to his team this week, showing them that every play can have a major impact on the game.
"We have to establish the line of scrimmage and run the football," said Housekeeper. "Then Drew can create some elements where people will have to respect us a lot more in the ability to throw the ball downfield."
Drew Gregg had his best game as a Patriot last weekend and looks to build off those reps heading into Saturday. The graduate transfer threw for 151 yards and a touchdown, his fifth of the season. Gregg found Adam Foulk five times, marking Foulk's second straight game with five or more receptions while Cade Lamb caught his second TD of the year as well. Trent Davis and JB Carlisle will continue to be the go-to options out of the backfield and combined for six catches and 54 yards receiving in their previous game as well. This success through the air will force FU to adjust on the outside, giving UC a leg up in the run game as well.
Kickoff in Montgomery, AL is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM CT with live video available here and live stats here.
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