Full Schedule
Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots football program look forward to their 2025 campaign where Head Coach Shan Housekeeper has released their 10-game schedule, featuring three opponents ranked in the final NAIA Postseason Top-25 Poll last season.
 
"We are going to be challenged every Saturday," said Coach Housekeeper. "For us to succeed we are going to have to come out focused and ready to execute every weekend."
 
UC have won five straight season openers and will work to keep that streak alive with the Battle for the Brass Lantern in Barbourville, KY on Thursday August 28^th at 7 PM. The Pats will take on the Bulldogs of Union Commonwealth where they will look for their seventh win in a row against their longtime rival's top start the season off on the right note.
 
"There will be a lot of emotion and passion in this game, so we will have to do a good job of focusing on the main objective and working toward the end goal," said Housekeeper on the season opener with Union.
 
September begins with the home opener for Cumberlands as they host Bluefield University on Saturday the 6^th at 7 PM. The Patriots look to fill James H. Taylor, II Stadium as they strive for their third straight win against the Rams. UC currently lead the all-time series 6-1, and took down BU 31-9 on the road last year to start the season.
 
After a bye in the third week of the season, the Pats will host the Seahawks of Keiser University who ended 2024 ranked second in the NAIA after dropping the NAIA National Championship game. Coach Housekeeper talked about the top-ranked matchup saying, "We have to be able to control the things we can control. IT comes down to us executing that day at a very high level … The tougher the competition the better our preparation and focus must be. It will be a fun opportunity to test ourselves."
 
The Pats have played KU just one time in the history of the program, taking down the Seahawks in the first round of the national tournament back in 2019. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 PM in the Burg on the 20^th of September.
 
UC will then go on a three-game road stretch, beginning with Warner University. The Pats will pack up and fly south where they will take on the Royals in Lakeland, FL for the first time since 2017. This will be the furthest trip for Cumberlands over the regular season. "It will be a great experience for our guys, especially for those who may not have ever been on a plane … But we will have to continue to be on point and realize that it is a business trip and there is a job to be done," said Housekeeper about the trip to Warner. The game is being played at Lakeland Christian, kicking off at 3 PM ET.
 
October will see the start of MSC play for the Patriots, beginning with a pair of tough road tests. UC will start the month against Campbellsville University on the 4^th before traveling to Columbia, KY to take on Lindsey Wilson the following Saturday. Cumberlands have taken eight of the last nine contests from the Tigers but are looking for revenge after dropping the final game of last season to Campbellsville who finished the year ranked 21^st in the NAIA. They will then look to take down the Blue Raiders in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2012-13 seasons.
 
"We have to be able to set the tone for conference play early, and it starts with these two games," said Coach Housekeeper. "Our conference is one of the best and most competitive in the country. The programs in our league all do a great job and we have to rise to the occasion."
 
The 18^th of October features UC's MSC home opener as they return to Williamsburg for the first time in almost a month. They will host Faulkner University at 1:30 PM ET, competing for their third win against the Eagles in the last four seasons. Bethel University will make the trip up to Williamsburg the next weekend as the Patriots celebrate homecoming. Coach Housekeeper is 3-0 all-time in homecoming games with the Pats and looks to take down the Wildcats for the first time in four years.
 
Coach Housekeeper is looking forward to this matchup saying, "It is always nice to get the chance to play in front of our former players and alumni here in Williamsburg."
 
The first two Saturdays in November will conclude the regular season for the Patriots. UC will take on the Cumberland University Phoenix on the 1^st, looking for their first win in Lebanon, TN since 2019. They then set their sights on the Georgetown Tigers who will make the trip to Williamsburg for the Patriots' Senior Day. UC will honor their senior class and plan to kickoff at 1:30 PM ET. "This is a great opportunity to honor those seniors that have meant so much to our program while also playing for a chance to keep the season alive."
 
Live video for all home will be available here, while live stats for all games can be found here.
 
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