UC Wins

The University of the Cumberlands (formerly Cumberland College) football team opened the season this week with a 21-13 victory over North Greenville College.
The Patriots (1-0, 0-0) set the tone early as sophomore Ricky Walker (Thomasville, GA) took the handoff on the first play from scrimmage for 51 yards to the North Greenville (0-2) seven-yard line. After penalties by each team, sophomore Moses Cochran (Thomasville, GA) completed the drive one play later with a nine-yard touchdown run. Walker ended the game with 105 yards on 16 carries. Cochran finished with 125 yards on 21 carries.
The Patriots added another first-half score with 7:56 to go in the second quarter, with a 10 play, 50 yard drive. The drive was capped on a two-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Larry Hay (Henderson, KY). The Cumberlands took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at half-time.
At the 8:56 mark of the third quarter, a 30 yard touchdown pass from Hay to senior Lawrence McGee (Quitman, GA), capped a nine play 69 yard drive. The Crusaders answered with 13 points on two field goals by Adrian Escolana, and a touchdown pass from Eric Moeller to Travis Mosley. Mosley led North Greenville on the ground with 65 yards on 23 carries and added three receptions for 48 yards.
The Patriot defense forced six turnovers on the afternoon. Sophomore Kavoris Daniels (Barwick, GA) was named Will Jones Heating & Cooling Player of the Game, as he led the way with two interceptions, three pass breakups, and nine tackles.
Coach King commented, “This was the first game, we have to get better in the second. Now we know what game speed is like.” That second game for the Patriots will come next Saturday at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, OH, as they travel to play the Pioneers of Malone College.
The Patriots will travel to Canton, home of the annual NFL Preseason Hall of Fame game and directly adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Cumberlands came into the season opener with an unknown defensive backfield but forced four interceptions in that game. The secondary will likely face another test, as Malone returns their starting quarterback from a season ago, Brad Reifsnyder, who threw for over 2200 yards and 23 touchdowns. Reifsnyder is also their leading returning rusher with just 169 yards a season ago.
The Patriots had two running backs, sophomores Ricky Walker and Moses Cochran eclipse 100 yards rushing. However, only one other back appeared in the Patriot backfield. The Patriots have a history of using more running backs and coach King commented, “We did the same thing a year ago, before we finally got Ricky (Walker) playing time a few games into the season.”
The Pioneers defense returns five starters, including two of their three linebackers.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 1 p.m. The game can be heard locally on WEZJ 104.3 FM or followed via the internet at www.cumberlandcollege.edu/athletics/live, where one can access streaming audio or a line text webcast.