Time: 2:30 p.m. EST
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2019
Place: Nokes-Lasater Field
History: Cumberlands leads 7-4
TALE OF THE TAPE:
| Pikeville |
Stat (Rank) |
Cumberland |
| 3-4 |
Record |
4-3 |
| 2-2 |
Div. Record |
2-2 |
| 25.9 (44th) |
Points/Game |
16.6 (84th) |
| 33.1 (63rd) |
Points Allowed/Game |
23.4 (34th) |
| 179.0 (25th) |
Rush Yds/Game |
176.1 (27th) |
| 166.1 (67th) |
Pass Yds/Game |
89.4 (90th) |
| 141.6 (36th) |
Rush Yds Allowed/Game |
145.6 (42nd) |
| 215.9 (64th) |
Pass Yds Allowed/Game |
160.4 (19th) |
| 78.9 (14th) |
Penalty Yds/Game |
68.7 (41st) |
LAST TIME OUT: UPIKE football wasn't able to pull off a homecoming upset last Saturday against Lindsey Wilson, losing to the Blue Raiders 45-10. The Bears were able to hang around with the Blue Raiders early, but a big third quarter for LWC put the game away.
SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS: Fans of old-time college football will be big fans of the Cumberland Phoenix, who institute a triple option offense. As such, the Phoenix will routinely have five or six players rush the ball multiple times in a game. Telvin Rucker and Treylon Sheppard are the two primary rushers and usually see 10+ rushes per game. Unlike most triple options, the quarterback Joseph Rushin is not a big threat to rush, but is competent with the pass game. He only averages 89 yards per game, but completes over 50 percent of his passes.
The Phoenix calling card is its defense which ranks in at least the top half of the NAIA in every defensive category. Jace Capps has had a great season so far with nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss, and ranks in the top 15 in the NAIA in both categories.
TOUGH SLEDDING: So far this season UPIKE has faced four teams mentioned in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. In addition to today, the Bears will face currently ranked or mentioned teams two more times before the season ends.
SPECIAL TEAMS SPECIALTY: The Bears have excelled this season in the game's forgotten third. UPIKE is third in punt return yards per attempt at 20.9, while also 26th in punt yards per attempt (37.8) and have only missed one extra point all season.
TOP-LEVEL BEARS: Through three games, UPIKE is 25th in the NAIA in rushing offense with 179 yards on the ground this season. and are equally as good at stopping the run, allowing 141 yards per game. Two Bears defenders are ranked in the top 50 in passes defended as Taeron Brown and Cedric Thomas are both tied for 41st in the NAIA, respectively. Thomas is also 22nd in the NAIA with three total interceptions.
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 88-115, but head coach Al Holland is turning the program around with winning seasons two of the last three years.
