Time: 7:00 p.m.

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2019

Place: Hambley Athletic Complex

History: UPIKE leads 8-2

WEEKLY GAMEDAY TAILGATE SPONSOR: Giovanni's Pizza

TICKET INFORMATION:

Adults - $10
Non-UPIKE students - $5
Children 5 and under – Free
UPIKE students, faculty, and staff – Free with UPIKE ID

GAMEDAY MAP:
 

LAST TIME OUT: UPIKE picked up its first win of the year in dominating fashion last week, decimating Bluefield 48-6. The Bears were in total control on both sides of the ball, picking up 609 yards of total offense, while only surrendering 180 on defense. Xondre Willis broke the first of possible numerous UPIKE records for his career in the game, notching his ninth 100-yard game of his career, going for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Trevon Wofford and Bowen Smith split time as quarterback and both were successful. Wofford went 7-for-10 for 152 yards, while Smith went 9-of-12 for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears were smooth and efficient all night, scoring at least 10 points in each quarter of the game.

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS: KCU has been one of the NAIA's more shocking surprises of the season, already matching the win total of the previous two seasons with two. The Knights opened the season with a win against Thomas More, then picked up a big upset against then No. 20 Georgetown. Their only loss came last week against NCAA FCS opponent Morehead State.

The Knights have been able to accomplish their success thanks to a very potent offense that's ranked No. 2 in the nation at 560 yards per game. A good chunk of that comes in through the air with the NAIA's No. 3 passing attack at 384.7 yards per game. Like UPIKE, KCU has found success with two signal callers in Dorian Isaak and Jakwon Roberts who have each thrown 49 or more times. Isaak tends to be the deep threat as he's gone for 636 yards and eight touchdowns. KCU only has one true threat on the ground, De'Anta Sipp, who has rushed for 378 total yards this season.

However, KCU's achilles heel has been a brutally suspect defense that has given up 536 yards per game, third-worst in the NAIA. The Knights' pass defense is the worst in the NAIA at 369 yards given up per game, so a total shootout may be on our hands.

TOP-LEVEL BEARS: Through three games, UPIKE is 11th in the NAIA in total rushing with 554 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 one sack allowed per game, which is 14th in the country. Individually, Alexander Shelton is 14th in total scoring thanks to his four total touchdowns this season and 19th with 234 receiving yards, while Xondre Willis is 15th in total rushing at 276 yards on the ground.

RECORD WATCHING: After last week's performance against Bluefield, Xondre Willis is 483 yards away from surpassing Leonard Moore as the Bears all-time leading rusher.

20 YEARS OF BEARS FOOTBALL: With today's game, UPIKE begins its 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-