Campbellsville, KY – In what was the closest game the Bears have played this season, UPIKE football fell by a field goal to Campbellsville on the road Saturday afternoon. The Tigers scored the game's final touchdown in the last minutes of the third and held on in the fourth to win 31-28.

The loss drops the Bears to 2-2 on the season while the Tigers improve to 1-3.

The rushing advantage belonged strongly to the Bears who compiled 281 yards on the ground, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The offensive line made the difference, creating space for the Bear's talented backfield who scored three touchdowns.

Piloting the rushing effort was junior back Alex Sanders who went for a career high 175 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders long of 81 yards resulted in a touchdown less than two minutes into the first quarter. Ivan Vaughn had a career performance as well, churning out 106 yards and a touchdown.

UPIKE led in total offense with 452 yards on 64 plays. 171 yards came through the air completing 10 of 18 attempts. Lee Kirkland recovered from a tough outing against Georgetown, not throwing any interceptions. Kirkland's touchdown throw came in the opening minute of the second quarter on a 49 yarder to Ben Henson.

The Bears continued to showcase their offensive depth with nine receivers with a catch on the stat sheet. Bralin Barton had his best play of the season and led the receivers with a catch for 73 yards. Redshirt freshman Henson recorded his second touchdown of the season as well.

Christopher Dublin was explosive on defense, finishing with a season high 13 tackles, six of which were solo. Dublin made a pair of tackles-for-loss and a sack in the contest as well. Cameron Miller managed three solo and six assisted tackles for his best game of the season.

One of the deciding factors in the game was time of possession which Campbellsville took the advantage by 13 minutes. The teams headed into the fourth quarter separated by a field goal, with both teams forcing a three and out on the opening possessions. After the Bears got the ball with 10:28 to play and marched to the Tiger's 36 yard line, the Tiger's defense forced a turnover on downs. The final drive of the game was a five-and-a-half-minute endeavor for the Tiger's who effectively controlled clock, not allowing the Bears to take possession.

The Bears return to Hambley Athletic Complex next Saturday, October 16^th for a senior day battle with Bethel. Kick-off is slated for 1:30 PM.