The University of the Cumberlands football team (#6; 4-0; 0-0) traveled to Mid-South Conference Western Division foe Cumberland University in a “Battle of the Cumberlands.”In a tough hard fought game the defense collected four interceptions plus a fumble to give the Patriots the 14-13 win.

As the game kicked off, the Patriots got the ball, but the Bulldogs held them to a three and out. After a couple of back and forth possessions, the Patriots got on the board at the 6: 05 mark in the first with a 34 yard touchdown pass from Jay Bright (Fayetteville, GA) to Willie Gibson (Abbeville, GA). The touchdown capped off a 7 play 72 yard drive, but the extra point was missed, which put UC up 6-0.

In the second, both teams had trouble moving the ball, but on the last possession of the half Cumberland University found the zone on a 24 yard pass from Christi Burnett to Mike Moore. With the PAT sailing through the uprights, the Bulldogs took the lead into the half, 7-6. This was the first time the Patriots were behind at the half this season.

The third quarter was much like the second with empty drives, but with: 46 seconds left in the third, the Patriots regained the lead. The touchdown came from Justin Pritchett (Dayton, TN) on a five yard run. Up 12-7, the Patriots needed the two point conversion which they got from Julius Moore (Lakeland, Fl) to give Cumberlands the lead, 14-7.
In the fourth, the Bulldogs came clawing back as Mitch McChurch (CU) scored on a 2 yard touchdown, however, the extra point was no good allowing the Patriots to maintain the slim lead, 14-13.

The Patriots held off the Bulldogs for the remainder of the game claiming three interceptions late in the fourth. The three interceptions in the fourth quarter gave the Patriots four total interceptions for the game. The interceptions came from Daniel Mock (Columbus, OH), Astin Roberson (Tifton, GA), Eric Tisdol (Eastman, GA), and Ken Tyson (Knoxville, TN) as the defense was all over the field mopping up the victory.

For the Patriots running attack, Coheleach Holmes led the way with 10 carries for 37 yards. QB Jay Bright was 7-16 for 133 yards, with one touchdown and 2 interceptions. Receiver Willie Gibson had a breakout game for the Patriots hauling in four catches for 95 yards and one touchdown.

The defense had a big day collecting five crucial turnovers. Johnathan Yeary (New Market, TN) led the tackling unit with 10 total tackles earning him the Player of the Game. Also in the action were Victor Smith (Knoxville, TN) and P.J. Hughes (Montezuma, GA). Smith had 7 total tackles while Hughes collected 6 tackles.

Next week Cumberlands will travel to Mid-South Conference Eastern Division foe Pikeville College to begin Eastern Divisional Play. Cumberlands defeated the Bears in 08’ by a final of 42-7.