Williamsburg, KY – The Pats are coming off an impressive 52-20 victory over UPike last Saturday, and now look ahead to this weekend where they take on the Eagles of Reinhardt University. RU comes into the matchup 1-2 on the year, with a victory over Faulkner University back in week two.
 
UC earned a big win in their home opener last weekend with an electric offensive attack paired with multiple big plays for the defensive unit. They look to carry this momentum on the road to Walska, Ga on Saturday.
 
Be Focused Early
One major point that Coach Shan Housekeeper has enlisted in his program is to be ready from the opening kickoff. He applauded his team's effort in their week two matchup, where they scored early in the first quarter on offense and forced a turnover that was returned for a touchdown to jump on top of their opponents by double digits midway through the first quarter. He continued to make this a focal point with Reinhardt coming up saying, "If we can get up to game speed early than that will help us every week and throughout the season."
 
Win Special Teams Phase
UC's special teams unit had a fantastic week and look to replicate that against RU on Saturday. The coverage team held their opponents inside the 27 on all 10 kickoffs, adding multiple big returns on the other side from Adam Foulk and Jahmal Hutsell. Job Matossian had another stellar performance, nailing three field goals and five extra points, along with great punts to earn NAIA Special teams Player of the Week. "Our kids work really hard on special teams and made a ton of plays for us," said Housekeeper. "They are highly motivated and me have to continue to use that to make an impact on the game."
 
Establish the Run
The Pats have found success on the ground throughout their first two games of the season and will use their athleticism and power up front to continue to recreate this. The Eagles have given up over 250 rushing yards a game this year, while UC averages 229 yards rushing.
 
"We have some talented running backs and a very talented offensive line … We try to put our guys in the best position to succeed, and if we get those guys in the right spots then it opens up a lot of options on offense," said Coach Housekeeper.
 
JB Carlisle and Trent Davis have been the go-to options out of the backfield for the Pats, each with three touchdowns on the season. Trace Thompson got the nod at quarterback in the most recent game, finishing 11-20 with 107 yards and a touchdown. Davis has been great catching passes out of the backfield while DK Edwards, Jalavis Wilson, and Elijah Howard have been targeted multiple times in the opening two games.
 
"I think our coaching staff has done a great job … They are great at utilizing the strengths of our players," said Housekeeper.
 
Prepare for the Challenge
The defensive unit for UC forced four turnovers against Pikeville last week, intercepting four passes and returned one for a touchdown against one of the most skilled quarterbacks that UC has played. Coach Housekeeper praised the defensive line's ability to pressure the QB, forcing mistakes that the Pats secondary then took advantage of. He has been preparing the defense this week to be able to consistently put pressure in the backfield.
 
"They are a run-first football team with a very physical offensive line," Said Houskeeper on the Eagles. "I think our defense is up for the challenge ... We have to be able to slow them down in the running game to force them to search for other answers."
 
Cumberlands has been good at defending the run in their first two contests, allowing just 69 rushing yards per game. Reagan Cherry leads the defense with 12 total tackles, one TFL, while Hunter Zirkle has added 11 tackles and a team-high four behind the line of scrimmage. Adam Caudle is another Patriot with double digit tackles and added a pick-six to his stat sheet last weekend, accounting for the first defensive touchdown of the year for the Pats.
 
The Patriots will travel down to Waleska, GA for a 12 PM kickoff, where they look for their first victory on the road at Reinhardt since 2013. Follow along with the livestream here, and livestats here.
 
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