WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The University of the Cumberlands football team rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit to force overtime, but ultimately came up just short in a 36-35 loss to Faulkner Saturday afternoon at James H. Taylor II Stadium. The Patriots drop to 3-4 on the season, while Faulkner improves to 4-3.
 
Despite the loss, the Patriots produced over 450 yards of total offense, including more than 315 yards through the air. Quarterback Drew Gregg had another strong outing, going 19-31 for 312 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. He added 36 yards on the ground and found seven different receivers on the day. Michael Petty led the way with 95 receiving yards and two scores, while D.K. Edwards and Jalavis Wilson each had touchdown grabs of their own. Jayden Clayton also caught three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown, which came in overtime. Tanner Marsh led UC's ground game with 37 yards rushing on just six attempts.
 
Cumberlands defense recorded three sacks and seven tackles for loss, including a game-high three sacks from Hunter Zirkle. Major Newman blocked a field goal in the first quarter, and UC's defense came up with multiple third- and fourth-down stops to help fuel the comeback. Jaylin Berrian led the team with nine total tackles, while Jackson Ray and D'Lante Overstreet also chipped in stops behind the line of scrimmage.
 
After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, Cumberlands responded quickly. Following a 7-yard run by Tanner Marsh and a 13-yard completion to Jahmal Hutsell, Gregg connected with D.K. Edwards for a 47-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 14:05 left in the second quarter.  
The next quarter and a half was all Eagles, as Faulkner would score three times to take a 28-7 at the end of the third quarter. However, the Patriots came alive in the fourth. UC's first drive of the quarter began at their own 11-yard line. Marsh picked up 13 yards on the ground, and Petty added a 9-yard reception before Gregg found Jayden Clayton for 17 yards into Faulkner territory. On the next snap, Gregg launched a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jalavis Wilson to cut the deficit to 28-14 with 12:55 remaining.
  On the next Faulkner drive, Overstreet stuffed a run on first down, and Zirkle followed with a sack on 3rd-and-12 to force a punt after just three plays to give the Patriots possession again at their own 11. Gregg hit Cade Lamb on fourth-and-five to extend the drive, and a personal foul moved UC to the 46. On the next play, Gregg dropped a deep ball to Petty in stride for a 54-yard touchdown, making it 28-21 with just over nine minutes to play.  
With momentum fully on their side, the UC defense forced another punt after a Kantrel Smith and Ritt Tankersley tackle halted the Eagle runner for no gain. Zirkle then earned his third sack of the evening to force another punt. UC's offense then went back to work with 6:37 on the clock. Starting at their own 7-yard line, the Patriots drove 93 yards in 14 plays. Gregg converted two third downs and a fourth down with passes to Lamb and Skylar Adams, and Tanner Marsh picked up 10 more on the ground. On second down from the 29, Gregg found Petty again for a touchdown to tie the game with 48 seconds left. Job Matossian's PAT made it 28-28 and forced overtime.  
In OT, the Patriots got a chance to strike first and that is just what they did. Starting on their own 25, Marsh found Maddux McKinney to make it first and goal from inside the five. Gregg then came back with a pass to Clayton over the middle for a Patriots touchdown as they took their first lead of the game. However, Faulkner answered right back with a long touchdown run, and made the call to go for two, which they converted to win the game 36-35.
 
UC will return to Williamsburg next week where they look to get back to their winning ways as they host Bethel (TN) on Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 6 PM ET at James H. Taylor, II Stadium.
 
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