PATRIOT FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON STRONG WITH WIN OVER #17 CAMPBELLSVILLE

On a historic night in Williamsburg, Kentucky, the UC Football Patriots opened their 2016 season under the lights on Thursday night against the NAIA #17 ranked Tigers of Campbellsville University (CU). The Patriots would fall behind early, but would show grit and determination as they would score 23 straight points to take the lead. CU would score again in the 4th, but the Pats would hold tight for the 23-17 victory. The win moves the Patriots to 1-0 on the season.

In the 1st quarter, the Tigers would open the game with 10 unanswered points off two UC turnovers including a 37 yard field goal from Bradley Bates and an 18 yard TD pass from Hunter Brown to Cruise Coulter to take a 10-0 lead into the 2nd quarter. The Patriots then began a scoring frenzy. Seph Burke (Danville, KY) would find the end zone from four yards out to make it 10-6 CU as Joe Rose’s PAT was no good. After a strong stand by the UC defense, Adam Craig (Jackson, TN) would take to the air finding Weston Hayes (Murfreesboro, TN) from 11 yards out for a touchdown. Rose’s PAT was good, giving the Pats a 13-10 lead entering the half.

In the 3rd, UC would begin the half with the ball and would put together a solid drive capped off with a 32 yard field goal from Joe Rose (Lawrenceburg, KY), putting UC up 16-10. After another stop by UC, Craig would find pay dirt from one yard out to give UC a much bigger cushion. The Rose PAT was good, making it 23-10 entering the 4th. CU would crawl a bit closer as Brown would find Kendon Young on a TD pass from 10 yards out, making it 23-17 UC. The Tigers would force a third turnover, but UC would hold CU out of the end zone, forcing a turnover on downs. UC then would put together one of the most impressive drives in recent history, going 20 plays for 93 yards, but would not score, giving CU the ball with just over 15 seconds to play. On the 2nd Hail Mary attempt, Jaelon Benjamin (Albany, GA) would pick off the pass as time expired, giving the Patriots the 23-17 victory over the Tigers.

BY THE NUMBERS
The Patriots were led on the night by Seph Burke with 23 carries for 144 yards and a TD.
Adam Craig managed the game very well, going just 1-5 through the air for 11 yards and a TD. He added 76 yards on 11 carries with another TD.
Kevin Claussen (Stamping Ground, KY) chipped in 119 yards on 19 carries.
Defensively, Jay Woods (Moultrie, GA) and Tyler Pendleton (Spring City, TN) led UC with 7 total tackles.

UP NEXT
The Patriots return to action next Saturday, September 3rd as they travel to take on the Wildcats of Bethel University. Kickoff is set for 2:30 pm eastern time.

FIND OUT MORE
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.

Story and photo courtesy of UC Multimedia/Athletic Services