PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Pikeville football team hits the road on Saturday to take on Cumberland in Lebanon, Tenn., at 2:30 p.m. ET. It's the final non-divisional contest of the season as the last five weeks will be against Mid-South Conference East Division opponents.

GAME NOTES

• ·        UPIKE and Cumberland are set for the next matchup in a series that started in 2001 with the then-Bulldogs claiming a 59-27 win in Lebanon, Tenn. From there the series has been an interesting one, with Cumberland leading 6-4 overall, which includes four overtime games, the most of any UPIKE opponent. Cumberland left the MSC in 2006, but returned in 2012. Since the return, the Phoenix have won all four meetings, including a 37-33 win in Pikeville last season. The two previous meetings both went to, you guessed it, overtime.
• ·        UPIKE enters the game coming off one of its worst losses in program history, falling to sixth-ranked Reinhardt 62-7 last week. The Eagles took off on four runs of 40 yards or more on their way to tallying 532 rushing yards, the most ever gained against the Bears. UPIKE struggled from the start with ball control, fumbling a few kickoff returns and throwing three interceptions, which never allowed it to get back in the game.
• ·        Cumberland is coming off a tough 27-26 loss at Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss. The Phoenix grabbed a late lead on Dezmon Huntley's 13-yard touchdown run with a minute to play, but Mississippi College responded with a 37-yard field goal by Matt Brasher at the buzzer to steal the win. The Phoenix outgained MC 472-448 in total offense and had three less penalties, but they converted just 2 of 8 third downs and missed three extra points, leading to the tough loss.
• ·        Taking a look at UPIKE in the national and conference statistics: The Bears rank 15th nationally in pass defense, allowing just 161.8 yards per game through the air, but on the ground the defense ranks 81st, allowing 293 yards per contest. The Bears' own passing attack ranks 25th in the NAIA at 245.4 yards per game and led by Damir Karapandzic, the team is 16th nationally in punting yards per attempt at 39.8. Jack Hopkins has been a staple among the leaders on defense, currently ranking 10th in the NAIA in tackles per game at 10.8, which is good for second in the Mid-South Conference.
• ·        Taking a look at Cumberland in the national and conference statistics: The Phoenix's leading national stat is an interesting one, ranking 11th in the NAIA in opponent penalties at 188. As far as normal categories, Cumberland has the 21st ranked rushing offense, gaining 186.8 yards per game. Individually, do-everything-player Michael Green ranks seventh nationally in all-purpose yards per contest with 180.8 and Justus Dauscha is seventh nationally in sacks per contest at 1.0.
• ·        Cumberland's 1-3 record can be deceiving as it has rarely been out of a game this season. Of the three losses, two are by four points or less, including the one-point loss at Mississippi College last week. The only loss by more than one score was at then-No. 18 Georgetown 28-7 in the second week of play. In the season opener against now-No. 7 Lindsey Wilson, the Phoenix lost just 33-29 at home.
• ·        This is the last non-divisional contest of the season for UPIKE, even though they are 2-3 overall, UPIKE knows it is 1-0 in the MSC East. Over the final five weeks of the season, UPIKE will be able to compete for a divisional title and spot in the NAIA Playoffs as the MSC East and West champions receive automatic bids.

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