Barbourville, KY – Under the bright lights of Williamson Stadium, the University of the Cumberlands Patriots turned the Battle for the Brass Lantern into a statement game and a blowout season opening win, taking down Union Commonwealth University 45–11. With the victory, the Patriots claimed the Brass Lantern for the seventh consecutive year and improved to 1-0 on the season. Cumberlands racked up 486 yards of total offense and scored on six of its first eight possessions to control the game from the opening snap.
 
Quarterback Drew Gregg opened the season with a career performance, throwing for 342 yards and four touchdowns while also adding a rushing score. He connected on 19 of 27 passes, averaging nearly 19 yards per completion. Wide receiver Cade Lamb hauled in four catches for 113 yards and two scores, while Juan Bullard Jr. and Michael Petty each caught touchdown passes of over 20 yards. Running back Jayden Clayton added 41 rushing yards and two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, with Tanner Marsh, JB Carlisle, and Cale Cartwright also contributing in the ground game.
 
Defensively, the Patriots allowed just 124 passing yards and recorded three interceptions. Ethan Jackson led the way with six tackles and a pass breakup, while Brandon Burke, Jeremy Hamilton, and Jonathan Heralus each came away with picks. The defense also tallied seven tackles for loss and held Union Commonwealth to just 3.9 yards per play. Victor Edwards recorded the team's only sack, while D'Lante Overstreet, Zander Curry, and Hunter Zirkle all added tackles behind the line of scrimmage. On special teams, Ronye Watson racked up 117 kickoff return yards, including a long of 47, and Job Matossian booted a 35-yard field goal and averaged 57 yards per punt.
 
After forcing a punt on the opening drive, Cumberlands struck quickly. On third-and-one, Gregg hit Bullard on a screen pass. The junior broke a pair of tackles and took it 66 yards to the house for the first score of the game. Gregg followed with a two-point toss to Major Newman to give UC an 8-0 lead just three minutes in. Union answered a couple drives later with a short touchdown pass and a successful two-point run to tie it 8-8 midway through the first quarter, but from there it was all Patriots.
 
Ronye Watson's 47-yard kickoff return set up the next scoring drive, which was capped by Gregg's 46-yard strike to Lamb over the middle for his second passing TD of the game. After the defense forced their first turnover of the night from an interception from Heralus, UC marched 88 yards for their third score of the night. Clayton began the drive with a nine-yard gain on the ground before Gregg hit DK Edwards for a 13-yard gain on third and seven to move the chains. Gregg then hit Lamb down the field once again, this time for a 51 yard gain and his second touchdown of the game.
 
The Patriots special teams caught the Bulldogs sleeping on the following kickoff with a surprise onside kick to give UC the ball back on their own 46. Gregg hit Petty on a 44-yard pass down the seam on first down to get into the red zone, and after a nine-yard run from Bullard, Gregg finished it off with a one-yard QB sneak to make it 28-8. Another three and out from the Pats defense gave UC another shot to increase their lead right before the half. After being stopped on third down, Cale Cartwright took the direct snap on the fake punt 23 yards for a first down. However, the Pats couldn't capitalize, and took a 28-8 lead into the break.
 
The second half started with a 46-yard kickoff return from Adam Foulk set up a short field, and Gregg hit Bullard for 29 yards before finding Petty for a 21-yard touchdown to go up 35-8 early in the third.
 
Union managed a 28-yard field goal later in the quarter after UC's defense stepped up on third down once again applying pressure to the UCU QB to force a bad pass. Both teams traded drives before a 33-yard punt return from Watson put UC in the redzone on the 14 yardline. Tanner Marsh and Clayton combined for a quick two-play scoring drive, with Marsh gaining 12 yards on a QB keeper before Clayton lowered his shoulder to get across the line.
 
After another three and out from UC's defense highlighted by a sack from Victor Edwards, Cumberlands scored the final points of the night. Marsh and Clayton marched down the field once more earning a pair of first downs before Matossian jogged on and nailed a 35-yarder to give UC 45 points on the night. A Jeremy Hamilton interception gave UC the ball right back, where a 22-yard reception from Carter Stewart allowed UC to set up in the victory formation to take the victory.
 
By the final whistle, UC had outgained Union 486 to 224 and held the Bulldogs scoreless in the second and fourth quarters, while also not punting until midway through the third quarter. UC averaged 7.5 yards per play and converted 7 of 14 third downs while going a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone. Head Coach Shan Housekeeper told his team inc amp to focus on execution and explosive plays, and tonight saw four different 40+ yard plays from scrimmage and a pair of kickoff returns over 45.
 
UC will be back in action or their home opener next week as they take on Bluefield University. Kickoff is slated for 7 PM ET.
 
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