Back On Track:

The University of Pikeville Bears got back into the win column this past week with a stunning 24-17 victory over University of the Cumberlands (Ky.). Quarterback Xavier Malone connected with Alex Sanders for the go-ahead touchdown with 0:11 seconds left in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. UPIKE notched their first road victory of the season and snapped a four-year losing streak to the Patriots. The Bears also flipped the script on UC after back-to-back heartbreaking losses to UC 2020-21 and 2021. 

With the win, the Bears record moves to 3-3 (2-2 MSC). UPIKE looks to build on their win over Cumberlands (Ky.) this Saturday afternoon when the 2-5 (0-5 MSC) Campbellsville University Tigers roll into Hambley. Just like last week, the Bears are coming into this game seeking vengeance.  

Campbellsville leads the all-time series 10-7, and have won two in a row and three of the last four against UPIKE. The Tigers' 2020-21 and 2021 wins over the Bears have been by a combined four points. 

In 2020-21, a winless Tigers squad rolled into Hambley and forced three UPIKE turnovers in the fourth quarter en route to a 14-13 win. Last season's meeting between the Tigers and Bears had six lead changes and concluded with the Tigers capturing their first win of the season 31-28. Both of the aforementioned UPIKE losses to CU were the only games the Tigers would win in in the 2020-21 and 2021 seasons. 

UPIKE By The Numbers: 

For the past two games, the Bears have adopted a more balanced offensive attack. Against Cumberlands (Ky.) last week, UPIKE finished the game with 466 total yards and rushed for a season-high 191 yards. Despite last week, Coach Corey Fipps' squad still ranks second in NAIA in passing yards per game (373.2). In total offense, the Bears average 460.5, good for sixth in NAIA. On the turnover front, UPIKE has a -5 turnover margin (15 for, 20 against). 

The Bears defense has been much better these last two weeks, forcing seven turnovers (6 INT, 1 FR) against Georgetown and Cumberlands (Ky.). Coach Chris Elliott's defensive squad held Cumberlands to zero second-half points and only three second-half first downs. On the season, the Bears defense has 34.0 tackles-for-loss, 21 pass break-ups, 12.0 sacks, 12 interceptions and three fumble recoveries. The Bears' 12 interceptions has them tied for first in the conference. 

Campbellsville By The Numbers: 

Campbellsville's offense averages 370.3 yards per game (259.3 passing, 111.0 rushing). CU is averaging 31.4 points per game. However, the Tigers are coming into this game on a five-game losing streak, all MSC games. Against Mid-South competition, the Tigers are averaging only 23.6 points per game. Through the air, the Tigers rank 15th in NAIA in yards per game with two receivers who are MSC top-5 in receiving yards. CU has a +3 turnover differential (18 for, 15 against). 

The Tiger defense is ranked last in the conference in yards against (436.0). The Tiger defense is also, however, tied for first in the conference in fumbles recovered (9) and are tied for second in interceptions (11). 

Who/What To Watch For: 

Alex Sanders is UPIKE's leading rusher with 407 yards, 4.0 yards per carry and three touchdowns on the season. Sanders is averaging 67.8 yards per game, good for second in the Mid-South Conference. While Sanders' rushing numbers are good, his numbers catching the ball out of the backfield are even better. Sanders leads the offense in receptions (33), touchdowns (5), and is second on the team in yards (383). Alex Sanders also ranks fifth in the Mid-South Conference with an average of 63.8 receiving yards per game. 

Right above Sanders in receiving yards per game is Derrick Griffith at number four. Griffith, who leads the Bears in receiving yards, is averaging 69.7 receiving yards per game. The talented freshman has 25 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns so far in 2022. UPIKE's dynamic passing game has seen 16 different Bears catch at least one pass on the year. Of those sixteen pass-catchers, eight receivers have 100 or more receiving yards and six have over 200. The Bears are getting contributions from a lot of different players which makes life difficult for opposing defenses. 

On defense, the Bears are led by linebackers Jonathan Morton and Anthony Grant. Morton leads the Bears in total tackles (56.0) and is first in the conference in tackles per game (9.5). Grant is second on the team in tackles (41.0) and fourth in the MSC with 8.2 tackles per game. Myson Livingston leads the Bears defense in sacks and is fifth in the conference with 4.5. Livingston also leads the UPIKE defense with 5.5 tackles-for-loss, with fellow defensive end Josh Ervin right behind him with 5.0 TFL. The Bears' front-seven will need to show out because Campbellsville has a solid running back tandem, one of which leads the conference in rushing touchdowns. 

Cameron Miller, Seneca Fuller Jr, Obie Wilson and Brett Coleman each have two interceptions on the year. Miller, Wilson and Gary McGowan lead the Bears in pass-break-ups with three each and will need to play well this week against a talented group of Campbellsville receivers. 

The Campbellsville Tigers boast a lot of offensive stat leaders. Senior Joshua Meglis ranks third in the Mid-South Conference in passing yards per game with 184.2. Meglis has passed for 1,105 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions and has a 131.3 efficiency rating. 

Meglis is surrounded with two receivers who rank top-5 in the Mid-South Conference. Andre Siler and Luke Sheperson rank second and third in the conference in receiving yards per game, respectively. Sheperson has 48 receptions for 492 yards and seven touchdowns while Siler has 35 receptions for 500 yards and two touchdowns. 

 Tre' Bass leads the Tigers, and the conference for that matter, in rushing touchdowns (7). Bass has 375 rushing yards, averaging 53.6 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. Archelus Smith is second to Bass in rushing with 305 yards and four touchdowns. 

Jacoby Miguel leads the CU defense in total tackles with 55.0. Defensive lineman Noah Grey leads the Tigers in tackles-for-loss (6.5) and sacks (3). In the secondary, DeAgo Brumfield leads CU in pass break-ups (6) and is second in interceptions (2) only to Donsha Knox who leads the team with three interceptions on the year. 

The Game Will Be Decided By… 

How each team's secondary plays. There will be a lot of star power at wide receiver this Saturday, with each team boasting two players in the MSC top-5 in receiving yards. Both secondaries have had moments where they have struggled this year. UPIKE and CU each have had two games where opposing quarterbacks have thrown for over 300 yards. However, recent trends favor the Bears. The Tigers' defense has given up an average of 342 yards passing over the past two games. Contrast this trend with UPIKE's improving defense which has allowed a total of 329 passing yards over the past two games. Things are trending up for one squad and down for the other and it will be fascinating to see how it plays itself out Saturday at Hambley. 

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