GAME FACTS - UPIKE vs. Point
Site: Hambley Athletic Complex, Pikeville, Ky. (4,000)
Watch: Pike TV Livestream
Radio: EKB (107.5 FM)
Live Stats: NAIA DakStats

Twitter: @UPIKEAthletics

Series History: First Meeting
Next UPIKE Game: Sept. 19 at Bethel, 2:30 p.m. ET, (EKB ZRock 107.5 FM) McKenzie, Tenn.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- After two straight weeks of Thursday night games for the University of Pikeville football team, it's back to Saturday afternoons on the gridiron for the Bears as they host Point (Ga.) at 1:30 p.m. ET at the Hambley Athletic Complex.

UPIKE is coming off a 41-20 loss at NCAA Div. I FCS Campbell last week, a game that it was within eight points of tying in the final six minutes, but ultimately couldn't slow the Camels. Point, on the other hand, took care of business last weekend with a 50-27 win over Bluefield (Va.).

While both UPIKE (1-1) and Point (1-1) have wins over the Rams, the Skyhawks did have trouble in their opening game of the season with a 73-21 loss at Reinhardt (Ga.), another common opponent it has with the Bears. UPIKE travels to Reinhardt on Sept. 26.

Game Notes

·        This is the first meeting between UPIKE and Point as the Skyhawks only began playing football as a varsity sport in 2012. In its first three seasons, Point has finished 2-8, 3-7 and 0-9 overall.

·        UPIKE kicker Damir Karapandzic has been a valuable asset through two games, knocking in three field goals against Bluefield and two more in the loss at Campbell last week. With five total makes, he currently ranks No. 1 in the NAIA.

·        Arthur Williams has been making noise nationally on the defensive side of the ball for the Bears, ranking seventh in the NAIA in tackles for a loss per game at 4.5. Williams was the week-one MSC Defensive Player of the Week.

·        Averaging just under 100 rushing yards per game, UPIKE's Quan Weaver is 13th nationally in total rushing yards with 170 through two games.

·        As a team, UPIKE leads the country in fourth-down conversions, successfully gaining a first down on all three of their attempts this season.

·        Stopping Point's rushing offense will be a point of emphasis for UPIKE defensive coordinator Brian Williams as the Skyhawks are 17th in the NAIA in yards per game at 240. Point ranks 17th in total offense per game as well at 473 yards.

·        Do-it-all athlete Brandon Robertson is ranked seventh nationally in all-purpose yards per game at 223.