WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The University of the Cumberlands football team returns home this weekend for another Mid-South Conference matchup, hosting the Faulkner Eagles on Saturday afternoon. The Patriots enter at 3-3, while the Eagles come in 3-3 after a narrow 37-35 loss to Georgetown last week. Cumberlands holds a 6-1 advantage in the all-time series and is 3-0 at home against Faulkner, including a 26-21 win on the road last fall. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ET at James H. Taylor II Stadium.
 
Cumberlands looks to bounce back after facing two nationally ranked opponents on the road. The Patriots still rank inside the NAIA's top 25 in both scoring and total offense, averaging 32.8 points and 422.3 yards per game.
 
"I feel like our guys have responded very well to a couple setbacks," said Head Coach Shan Housekeeper. "Adversity is part of life, and we use these setbacks to learn how to respond and continue to develop. We have a lot of high-character kids on our team, and we know that a couple of things that don't go our way can't define who we are, so we will keep working and developing and improving."
 
Defensive Focus
Faulkner's offense has been balanced this season, averaging 288.7 yards per game, with 136 on the ground and 152 through the air. Running back Robin Harris leads the Eagles with 345 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Duece Marshall has accounted for seven total scores.
 
"Faulkner has explosive players for sure," Housekeeper said. "We have to be sound in our fits, execute our jobs, and make the tackles when they are presented. Keeping the quarterback from getting in space is a big factor for Saturday — he's very athletic and has the ability to make a short run turn into an explosive play."
 
Cumberlands' defense has forced eight interceptions and recorded 15 sacks through six games, ranking among the top-20 nationally in both categories. Hunter Zirkle continues to be a standout, ranking first in the NAIA with four forced fumbles and adding 4.5 sacks on the year.
 
Execution in the Red Zone
The Patriots have been very efficient in the red-zone this year, converting on 83% of their trips and scoring touchdowns on 75% of those opportunities. Cumberlands is also averaging nearly 230 passing yards and 194 rushing yards per game, led by quarterback Drew Gregg (1,335 yards, 15 TD) and running backs Juan Bullard Jr. (334 yds, 8.6 avg) and Jayden Clayton (302 yds, 6.2 avg).
 
"We work red zone every week — everyone knows how important it is for us to finish in the end zone," Housekeeper said. "When we get the ball inside the 20, our execution must go up. When the field gets condensed, windows are smaller and run lanes get tighter. So we have to be very precise, execute at a high level, and make the trips in the red zone count on both sides of the ball."
 
Turnovers and Game Control
Cumberlands has created 10 turnovers this season and will look to capitalize against a Faulkner offense that has thrown just two interceptions in six games.
 
"Turnovers are a critical part of the game," Housekeeper said. "Defensively, we have to capitalize when the ball is on the ground and make plays when the quarterback puts the ball in the air. Our players know the value of adding a possession for our offense and the momentum that comes with that. We need to take advantage of any opportunity to make an impactful play."
 
Keys to the Game
As the Patriots enter the second half of the conference schedule, Housekeeper emphasized the importance of execution, composure, and energy.
 
"We have to be fundamentally sound and execute at a high level," he said. "Decision-making is critical in games and being able to make great decisions throughout the game has a huge impact on the outcome. We also need to go and have fun playing the game we love — enthusiasm is contagious, and we need to enjoy every rep we have."
 
Kickoff
Cumberlands and Faulkner are set to meet at 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday at James H. Taylor II Stadium in Williamsburg, KY. Live video can be found here with live stats here.
 
 
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