TIME: 7:07 p.m. ET
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 14
WATCH: WYMT (This TV) | Cumberlands Stream
LISTEN: 1075FM EKB with Joe Kinzer on play-by-play
LIVE STATS: NAIA DakStats
IN-GAME UPDATES: Twitter | Instagram
GAME NOTES: UPIKE at Cumberlands
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS: Cumberlands is two points away from being ranked high in the NAIA Top-25 as a 42-40 loss to Cumberland (Tenn.) at home is keeping it on the outside looking in at this point in the season. Last week's 53-7 loss at No. 3 Reinhardt (Ga.) hurt, but in the rest of its games the Patriots have taken care of business. Cumberlands ranks 19th nationally in defense, allowing 336.5 yards per game and is 21st in total sacks with 15.5.
Josiah Robbins has played the majority of the snaps at quarterback but has struggled with accuracy, completing less than 50 percent of his passes and throwing six interceptions compared to just five touchdowns. On the ground, Seph Burke has been the go-to back, but he is only averaging 54 yards per game. An area of offense that isn't struggling is the kicking game where Joe Rose is a perfect 19-for-19 on extra points and is 11-13 on field goals.
TWO WINS TO A RECORD: Allan Holland Jr., is the longest tenured head coach in UPIKE program history with this being his fourth season. Two wins is all that stands between him becoming the winningest coach in program history as well. Jerry Mynatt went 19-12 from 2003-05 and Holland Jr., is 18-21 starting with the 2014 campaign.
THE MATCHUP: UPIKE is the heavy favorite when looking at offensive output alone, putting up 345.5 yards per game, compared to 257.7 for Cumberlands. That includes a 1,172-633 gap in passing yards as the Patriots are slightly higher rushing at 913-901. Cumberlands does have more turnovers at 14-10, but has been better at converting third downs (38-33 percent) and fourth downs where it has converted 9 of 11 into first downs, compared to just 5 of 16 for the Bears.
UPIKE IN THE NAIA: The Bears rank 33rd nationally in total defense, allowing 372.2 yards per contest and are 32nd in points allowed at 25.2. UPIKE has been strong defending third downs as teams convert just 37.5 percent of the time, which is the 34th best mark in the NAIA. The Bears' 40 yards per punt attempt ranks 15th nationally.
Individually, Romon Morris ranks third nationally in interceptions with four and sixth in picks per game at 0.7. William Chandler is 24th in punting yards per attempt at 38.3 and Taeron Brown is 41st in tackles per game with 8.8
THE SCHEDULE AHEAD: This is the start of a two-game road swing in MSC Appalachian play for UPIKE as it will travel to Union in Barbourville, Ky., next Saturday. When the Bears return home, it will be homecoming on Oct. 28 against third-ranked Reinhardt. The regular-season is scheduled to come to a close at home as well against Bluefield on Nov. 11.
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