Unfinished Business…
The University of Pikeville Bears will travel to Williamsburg, Ky. on Saturday for an evening bout with the University of the Cumberlands Patriots. UPIKE's record sunk to 2-3 (1-2 MSC) after falling last week to rival #13 Georgetown. Cumberlands comes into this game 3-3 (1-3 MSC). UC has lost three of their last four, including a 43-13 beating at the hands of #8 Bethel last week.
The Bears and the Patriots are no strangers to one another. These two Mid-South foes have played 19 times, with the Patriots holding a 13-6 edge in the all-time series. Cumberlands comes into Saturday night's game having won four in a row against UPIKE, including a stunning 41-38 comeback win last October (more on that later).
The twentieth edition of the annual UPIKE vs. Cumberlands football game is huge for the Bears for a multitude of reasons: (1) UPIKE has lost three in a row and is looking to get the season back on track (2) A win over a rival would be huge for Coach Corey Fipps as he builds momentum for the program (3) The Bears are looking to avenge back-to-back heartbreaking losses to UC.
During the 2020-21 season, UPIKE led UC 28-16 heading into the fourth quarter but two costly turnovers aided the Patriots to a 31-28 comeback victory. Last year, the Bears jumped out to a 38-14 first-half lead but let it slip away. The Patriots outscored UPIKE 27-0 in the second half en route to a 41-38 victory at Hambley. Needless to say, UPIKE looks to avenge those losses.
UPIKE By The Numbers:
Coach Fipps' offense ranks second in NAIA with 459.4 yards per game, averaging 392.8 passing yards per game. UPIKE ranks 15th in NAIA in first downs per game with 22.8, and the Bears are converting 36% on third down. The Bears are -4 (13 for, 17 against) in the turnover margin through five games.
Coach Chris Elliott's UPIKE defense lives off havoc plays. UPIKE has 28.0 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 pass break-ups, 11 interceptions and two forced fumbles on the year. After struggling to wreak havoc against Bluefield, the Bears defense got back to forcing havoc plays last week against Georgetown.
Cumberlands (Ky.) By The Numbers:
UC's offense ranks 83rd in NAIA in total yards per game with 248.8 (161.0 passing, 87.8 rushing). Through the air, Cumberlands averages 5.2 yards per attempt and has only thrown one interception all year. The Patriots offense is averaging 15.8 first downs per game and are converting 38% on third down. On the turnover front, the Patriots are +4 (10 for, 6 against).
On the other side of the ball, UC's opponents average 20.2 points per game. They are allowing 314.8 yards per game (220.2 passing, 94.7 rushing). UC's havoc play numbers include 60.0 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, 29 pass break-ups, seven forced fumbles (6 recovered) and four interceptions.
Who/What to Watch For:
Bears running back Alex Sanders had a season-high 113 rushing yards last week against Georgetown and looks to have a repeat performance. Sanders is also first in receptions (26) and second in receiving yards (324). Coach Fipps will be looking to get the passing game going again this week against an aggressive UC secondary. Five Bears players have over 200 receiving yards, led by Derrick Griffith who leads the team in yards (394) and touchdowns (4).
UPIKE's defense is looking to build off last Saturday's game against Georgetown, their best performance of the season thus far. The Bears forced five turnovers, had nine tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass break-ups and returned an interception for a touchdown. Junior defensive end Myson Livingston leads the Bears in sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (5.5). Livingston had a great game last week when he recorded four total tackles, 2.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks against Georgetown. Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Morton leads the UPIKE defense with 47.0 total tackles on the year. Morton also led the Bears in tackles last week against Georgetown.
The Bears defense is first in the Mid-South Conference in passes intercepted with 11. UPIKE added five last week against Georgetown. Seneca Fuller Jr., Obie Wilson and Brett Coleman lead the team with two interceptions each. Five other UPIKE players have an interception as well.
Coach Elliott's defense will have to be opportunistic this week because they are facing a Patriots quarterback who does not make many mistakes. UC junior quarterback Ben Nixon has 853 passing yards, is completing 55% of his passes, has an efficiency rating of 110.6, has seven touchdown passes and only one interception on the year. Nixon has, however, been sacked 19 times. Those sack numbers are definitely something to watch for as UPIKE's pass rushers are looking to build off their four-sack performance from last week.
UPIKE will need another solid performance from the offensive line this week because they are facing a defense that generates a lot of tackles for loss and sacks. Senior Myles Simon and sophomore Cortez Brown lead the Patriots with six tackles for loss 4.5 sacks each. Sophomore linebacker Adam Caudle leads the Patriots defense with 49.0 total tackles. Caudle also has 4.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Defensive backs Damon Byrnes-Mitchell and Jacobie Elkins both have five pass break-ups on the year. UC only has four interceptions on the year but they are still very aggressive. UPIKE's talented receiving core against UC's aggressive secondary is definitely a matchup to watch out for Saturday night.
The Game Will Be Decided By…
Second half scoring. UPIKE has scored 101 of their 163 (62%) total points in the second half of games this season. UPIKE's defense often steps up big in the second half as well. Cumberlands is the opposite, having scored over half of their points (70 of 127) in the first half. UC has allowed only seven points in the third quarter all year, but have allowed 48 total points in the fourth quarter.
UPIKE and UC's first and second half scoring stats contradict what has happened the last two times they have played, which have featured UPIKE scoring a lot of points in the first half then UC coming back in the second. The Bears stats tell us that they are looking to flip the script this on this trend Saturday night.
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