WILLIAMSBURG, KY – The University of the Cumberlands football team closed out its 2026 regular season Saturday afternoon, falling 48-17 to No. 9 Lindsey Wilson University at James H. Taylor, II Stadium. The Patriots battled back from an early 14-point deficit and pulled within seven in the third quarter, but the Blue Raiders used several explosive plays to pull away. Cumberlands finishes the regular season with a 6-4 overall record and a 2-3 mark in Mid-South Conference play.
Offensively, Drew Gregg completed 20-of-36 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown, while Tanner Marsh added a 10-yard completion. Michael Petty led the receiving corps with seven catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Skylar Adams added 65 yards on three receptions, including a 48-yard gain. Carter Stewart finished with three catches for 45 yards, while Cade Lamb added three receptions for 29 yards. Jayden Clayton led the rushing attack with 76 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Juan Bullard Jr. added 32 yards on six attempts.
Defensively, Brandon Burke led the Patriots with a game-high 12 tackles, including seven solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss. JD DeRoche and Ritt Tankersley each recorded five tackles, while Zander Curry and Deshun Tipton added four stops apiece. Jalen Yearby finished with three tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, while DJ Reese II blocked a punt to help set up a second-quarter scoring opportunity.
Cumberlands made an early defensive statement as Yearby intercepted a Lindsey Wilson pass in the end zone on the Blue Raiders' opening possession, giving the Patriots the football at their own 20-yard line. Gregg connected with Petty for 16 yards on UC's first offensive play, but a fumble near midfield ended the drive. Lindsey Wilson capitalized on the turnover, scoring three plays later to take a 7-0 lead.
The Patriots responded with a promising drive behind Bullard, who recorded gains of 13, seven and five yards to move UC into Lindsey Wilson territory. However, an interception ended the possession, and the Blue Raiders followed with another touchdown to extend their lead to 14-0 late in the opening quarter.
Cumberlands continued to move the football on its next possession, beginning at its own six-yard line. Bullard gained 10 yards to move the chains before Marsh connected with Lamb for 10 yards. Clayton followed with another 10-yard rush, and Gregg found Adams for a 48-yard completion to move the Patriots inside the five-yard line early in the second quarter. However, another fumble ended the 89-yard drive without points.
The Patriots' special teams unit provided a spark on Lindsey Wilson's ensuing possession as Reese blocked a punt, giving UC the football at the Blue Raiders' 17-yard line. Gregg connected with Maddux McKinney for seven yards before Clayton added a six-yard run to move inside the five. The drive stalled following a sack, but Khalil Arman connected on a 24-yard field goal to put Cumberlands on the board, cutting the deficit to 14-3.
After the Patriots' defense forced a turnover on downs, UC put together a nine-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to make it a one-possession game. Victor Edwards opened the possession with a nine-yard rush before Clayton and Gregg helped move the Patriots into Lindsey Wilson territory. A 13-yard completion to Adams and a nine-yard connection with Stewart moved UC closer to the red zone. Clayton capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, and Arman's extra point trimmed the Blue Raiders' lead to 14-10 with 3:12 remaining in the half.
Lindsey Wilson answered with a touchdown on its next possession before adding a 46-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Patriots into halftime trailing 24-10.
Cumberlands came out of the break with one of its most impressive offensive possessions of the afternoon, marching 70 yards in 15 plays while taking more than eight minutes off the clock. Clayton opened the drive with an 11-yard run, while Gregg added an eight-yard carry to move near midfield. Facing third-and-17 later in the possession, Gregg connected with Stewart for 26 yards to keep the drive alive.
The Patriots continued moving the football as Gregg found Adams for four yards and Petty for 14 yards on third down to reach the Lindsey Wilson seven-yard line. Following a penalty and a defensive pass interference call, UC moved inside the five before Gregg connected with Petty for a five-yard touchdown. Arman's extra point cut the deficit to 24-17 with 6:50 remaining in the third quarter.
However, Lindsey Wilson responded with an explosive scoring drive, highlighted by an 82-yard run that set up a two-yard touchdown. The Blue Raiders added another touchdown less than two minutes later, extending their advantage to 38-17 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Patriots continued to battle, moving into Lindsey Wilson territory late in the third quarter behind several runs from Clayton. However, the drive stalled on fourth down early in the final period. The Blue Raiders added a field goal to push their lead to 41-17 before scoring another touchdown midway through the quarter to extend the margin to 48-17.
Cumberlands continued to move the football in the closing minutes, with Clayton adding several carries and Gregg connecting with Petty to move into Lindsey Wilson territory. The Patriots advanced to the Blue Raiders' 24-yard line before the drive ended as time expired.
UC finished with 345 yards of total offense, including 227 passing and 118 rushing, while Lindsey Wilson accumulated 467 yards. The Patriots recorded 27 first downs compared to 19 for the Blue Raiders and controlled possession for 39:28. However, three turnovers and six sacks proved costly, while Lindsey Wilson averaged 10.1 yards per rushing attempt and finished with 282 yards on the ground.
Saturday's contest also marked Senior Day for Cumberlands, as the Patriots recognized Garrett Fister, Reese Anzalone, Sawyer Ford, Jake Bates, Ja'Than Willis, Cole Ruehling, Jaylin Berrian, Jalen Yearby, Major Newman, Maddux McKinney, Jalavis Wilson, and Cade Lamb for their contributions to the program. Graduate students Drew Gregg and Kantrel Smith also played their final game for the Pats after being recognized last year. Gregg finishes his career as the Patriots all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns as well as the single-season leader in both.
The Patriots conclude the 2026 regular season at 6-4 overall and 2-3 in Mid-South Conference play, securing their second consecutive winning season under Head Coach Shan Housekeeper.
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