Time: 1:30 p.m.

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2019

Place: Toyota Stadium, Georgetown, Ky.

History: Georgetown leads 15-1

TICKET INFORMATION:

Reserved Seats (chair backs) $20.00 each
Reserved Seats (bleachers with back) $20.00 each
General Admission (bleachers) $15 each
Children General Admission (bleachers) $5
Children 5 and under – Free

TALE OF THE TAPE:
 

LAST TIME OUT: UPIKE fell in its most recent contest against No. 11 Cumberlands (Ky.) in one of the stranger games of the Al Holland era, a 24-13 decision for the Patriots. Pikeville appeared to be the better team for most of the night but were done in by two crazy plays, the first a fumbled field goal attempt that was returned for a touchdown, and the second a halfback pass that bounced off defenders hands to a receiver for a touchdown.

Pikeville had more total yards than the Patriots, more first downs, and dominated time of possession, but couldn't find the breaks necessary to pull off the upset. The tandem of Alex Sanders and Derius Gibson combined for 143 yards on the ground for the Bears while Trevon Wofford scored the Bears lone touchdown on the ground.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS: As has been the case for GC in recent history, the Tigers are about as pass heavy of a team as there is in the NAIA, boasting the No. 5 pass offense in the country. That offense started the season through Hunter Krause, but has since been handed to Zach Dampier after injury to Krause. Dampier completed just 14 of 31 passes for 263 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his first start against Campbellsville last week. In that game, GC rushed more often than usual with no success, rushing 35 times for two total yards.

Especially now without Krause, the strength of this GC team comes from its front six on defense, but the GC defense is not as strong as it traditionally has been. Defensive lineman Landon Corolla is the reigning NAIA Defensive Player of the Week after recording 6.5 sacks against Campbellsville. GC's secondary will give up yards, but is filled with sure tacklers. Defensive back Starr Thompson is 18th in the NAIA in tackles per game with 9.8 and has two interceptions on the year.

RIVALRY RENEWED: Saturday's matchup is the first time UPIKE and Georgetown football have met since 2016, which was also the first time the Bears had defeated the Tigers. UPIKE ruined Georgetown's senior night with a last-second field goal to clinch the team's first ever MSC division title. With UPIKE's move to the Bluegrass division, the two will meet every season for the foreseeable future.

SPECIAL TEAMS SPECIALTY: The Bears have excelled this season in the game's forgotten third. UPIKE is one of 23 teams that have yet to miss an extra point, and are second in punt return yards per attempt at 22.5.

TOP-LEVEL BEARS: Through three games, UPIKE is 32nd in the NAIA in rushing offense with 175 yards on the ground this season. While the offensive line helps with that, they've also been getting the job done in pass protection, with only seven sacks allowed this season, which is 37th in the country. Individually, Cedric Thomas' two interceptions is tied for 24th in the country, while three Bears defenders are ranked in the top 50 in passes defended as Taeron Brown, Josh Green, and Thomas are tied for 26th, tied for 26th, and 47th in the NAIA, respectively.

20 YEARS OF BEARS FOOTBALL: This season marks UPIKE's 20th year of football. Players will wear decals on their helmet all season to signify the anniversary. UPIKE holds an all-time record of 88-114, but head coach Al Holland is turning the program around with winning seasons two of the last three years.

-UPIKE-