Williamsburg, KY – UC dominated the Bulldogs on homecoming to win the Battle for the Brass Lantern for the sixth consecutive time. The Patriots move to 3-1 after shutting out Union Commonwealth University 28-0, allowing just four rushing yards and 69 total yards of offense all night.
 
Cumberlands' defense dominated the game from the first drive, only giving up six first downs while recording 10 sacks. Adam Caudle finished with five tackles, including a pair of sacks with, Walker Dunn also adding five tackles and two TFL. Michael West found the Bulldog's quarterback twice for two more sacks while Malachi Nalls and Jeremy Hamilton tallied an interception each.
 
Offensively, the Pats rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 116 yards and a TD as well. Trace Thompson threw for all 116 yards off 11-22 passing and touchdown while also finding the endzone on the ground behind a QB sneak. He connected with Adam Foulk for the lone receiving TD of the day and found DK Edwards four times for 42 yards. Trent Davis and JB Carlisle both rushed for 98 and 96 yards respectively, with Carlisle scoring his fourth TD of the season.
 
The Patriots won the toss and deferred, giving UCU the ball to start the game. The Bulldogs picked up one of their six first downs on the game but were forced to punt shortly after behind a big stop from Dunn behind the line of scrimmage. UC's offense was forced to punt after a costly block in the back penalty, but they weren't off the field long as the defense forced a three and out behind a big sack from West on third down.
 
A pair of first-down passes to Davis and Edwards moved the Pats into the redzone for the first time of the game. Davis then took back-to-back handoffs, moving the ball to the one yardline where Thompson took the QB sneak up the middle for a Patriots touchdown. UC quickly got set for the two-point conversion, letting Thompson pound his way across the goal line once again to make it 8-0 in favor of the Pats.


 
After another UCU punt, UC regained possession heading into the second quarter. Thompson found Foulk to start the quarter before Carlisle picked up another first-down behind an 11-yard rush. Back-to-back catches from Edwards moved UC into opposing territory followed by four straight Carlisle rushes, pushing the Pats into the redzone. Edwards drew a pass interference call that put the ball on the two yard line, setting up a Carlisle run into the endzone for six. Job Matossian came on and nailed the point after attempt, giving UC the 15-0 lead.


 
Hunter Zirkle made his presence known the next possession, picking up a pair of huge tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He wrapped up the QB for a loss of three on second down before breaking through the offensive line and getting to the Bulldogs quarterback on third down to force another UCU punt.


 
UC's drive started on their own 37 with just over seven minutes in the half. The Patriots chewed the clock, moving the ball down the field through Trent Davis who picked up 44 yards over six plays. Cumberlands were stopped inside the ten, and brought out Matossian who hit a 24-yard field goal to put UC up 18-0 to end the second half.


 
The Patriots received the kick to start the third quarter but were forced to punt after three plays. Matossian boomed a 62-yard punt downfield to force Union Commonwealth to start their drive inside their own 20. The Bulldogs would see a spark of momentum picking up three first downs, however Walker Dunn put a stop to that with his second sack of the night to force another UCU punt.
 
UC started the following drive at their own 11 before a Carlisle fumble gave Union the ball just 12 yards away from the goal line. The Patriots defense did not back down, as Jeremy Hamilton came away with a huge interception to put the ball right back in the offense's hands.


 
 After another quick punt, a pair of sacks from the Pats put Union in a third and long situation once again. Solomon Dupree and Jonathan McCullough were responsible for the first before Malachi Nalls and Mando Ferrell combined for the second sack. The Bulldogs punted two plays later. UC's offense went back to Carlisle who moved the chains with a ten-yard run but could not find much else as they were forced to punt once again.
 
Union's returner signaled for a fair catch at their own 26, as they started their drive with 2:13 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs picked up a pair of four-yard gains to force a third down and short. They tried to throw, but Malachi Nalls was right there, picking off the pass and returning it 12 yards to the UCU 30 yard line. Trace Thompson connected with Curtis Leflore Jr. the next drive to move UC into field goal range. They called on Matossian, who delivered from 39 yards for his second FG of the night, putting UC up 21-0 at the start of the fourth quarter.


 
The Patriots defense continued to be relentless, as they earned three straight sacks the following drive. Dupree got into the backfield on first down while Adam Caudle made the play on second. Ja'Quon Hall and Mando Farrell combined for the sack on third down to force the punt team on the field.


 
Both teams traded possessions up to the 8:13 minute mark where UC got the ball with decent field position. Trent Davis picked up 24 yards for a pair of first downs before Trace Thompson came up big with a quarterback keeper on fourth and one to move the chains. Carlisle found another first down after a nine yard rush to put the Pats in the redzone. This allowed Thompson to take a shot down field, where Adam Foulk made a great play, catching a tipped ball in the endzone for another UC touchdown with just 5:20 left to play.


 
The Patriots defense held the Bulldogs once again as Caudle came away with another huge sack on third down, giving UC the ball with less than two minutes to play. The Patriots ran down the clock, handing the ball off to Juan Bullard Jr. three times before the clock hit zero. Cumberlands took the 28-0 shutout victory, keeping the Brass Lantern in Williamsburg for the sixth consecutive time.
 
Cumberlands move to 3-1 on the season as they head into Mid-South Conference play next week. They will; travel down to McKenzie, TN to take on the #5 Bethel University. Gametime is set for 2 PM ET.
 
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