We Meet Again…
Homecoming 2022 at the University of Pikeville pits the Bears against their rivals from up the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway, the Georgetown College Tigers. The Bears return home 2-2 (1-1 MSC) looking to get back into the win column after taking back-to-back losses at #13 Bethel and Bluefield, respectively.
The Tigers come into this matchup 4-1 (2-1 MSC). Georgetown is coming into this matchup after suffering their first loss of the season at home to #13 Bethel, 24-14. The big story with the Georgetown football program, however, was their 2022 offseason that saw them hire Chris Oliver as their new head coach. Oliver joins the Tiger football staff after spending 12 successful years at Lindsey Wilson. During Oliver's time at LWC, he coached the Blue Raiders to a 2020 National Championship. Oliver was also undefeated coaching against UPIKE (9-0) while at LWC.
Saturday afternoon's game will be the 20th meeting between UPIKE and Georgetown, with the Tigers holding a 17-2 lead in the all-time series. The Tigers have won two in a row in this series, including a 52-14 win over the Bears last season. In the 19-year history of this matchup, the home team is 6-13. The Bears are 0-11 against Georgetown in Pikeville, with both of their wins against the Tigers coming on the road in 2016 and 2019.
UPIKE By The Numbers:
Coach Fipps' UPIKE Bears are ranked first in NAIA in total yards per game (517.0) and passing yards per game (461.8). UPIKE's air raid offense also averages 52.5 passing attempts per game, 8.8 yards per attempt and 1,847 yards. Despite only scoring 16 and 26 points, respectively, these last two weeks the Bears still average 35.8 points per game, good for 15th nationwide. This team also ranks fifth in first downs per game with 25.5 and are converting 41% on third down. On the turnover differential front, the Bears are -4 on the year (8 forced, 12 against).
Defensively, the Bears look to turn it around after surrendering 50 points and 590 yards (329 passing, 261 rushing) last week to Bluefield. UPIKE's defense is at its best when they are creating havoc-plays for opposing offenses. UPIKE's havoc-play numbers include 19.0 tackles-for-loss, 15 pass break-ups, 6.0 sacks, 6 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.
Georgetown By The Numbers:
Georgetown offers a much more balanced offensive attack. The Tigers are averaging 337.2 yards per game (215.8 passing, 121.4 rushing) and rank 44th in NAIA in total yards. On third down, the Tigers are converting 42% and average 22.6 first downs per game. Georgetown is also averaging 31.0 points per game.
On defense, the Tigers have posted some very impressive numbers. Coach Oliver's squad is only allowing 11.4 points per game and average 290.6 (200.8 passing, 89.8 rushing) against per game. On the havoc-play front the Tigers have 39 tackles-for-loss, 26 pass break-ups, 11 sacks, eight forced fumbles and nine interceptions.
Who/What To Watch For:
A big reason why the Bears have so much success through the air is because they have a talented receiving corps. Eight different Bears have caught a touchdown pass, led by freshman Derrick Griffith with four on the year. Griffith also leads UPIKE with 391 receiving yards, followed by Alex Sanders with 276 and Ben Henson with 203. Through only four games, seven different Bears have more than 150 receiving yards.
Defensively, the Bears are led in tackles by Jonathan Morton (33.0), Travion Pope (26.0) and Athony Grant (23.0). Grant had a great game last week against Bluefield with 10.0 solo tackles, his personal best. In the secondary, Brett Coleman leads the Bears in interceptions (2) while Gary McGowan leads in pass break-ups with three on the season.
UPIKE's linebackers will need to continue their consistent play because they are likely to see two quarterbacks Saturday for the Tigers. Coach Chris Oliver has played junior Drew Hartz and freshman Gehrig Slunaker in each of Georgetown's five games this season. Hartz is completing 63.4% of his passes, 693 yards, 11 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 153.0 efficiency rating. Slunaker on the other hand is completing 49.3% of his passes, 386 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and an efficiency rating of 106.7.
On the ground, the Tigers have running back tandem of Darius Neal and Isaiah Cobb. Neal leads the Tigers with 50 rushing attempts for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Neal is also averaging 5.6 yards per rush. Isaiah Cobb has 47 attempts, 149 yards, one touchdown and averages 3.2 yards per carry.
On the other side of the ball, Chris Oliver's defense brings a lot of experience into Saturday's matchup. Nine of Georgetown's eleven defensive starters are upperclassmen, seven of which are seniors. Leading that experienced squad is senior linebacker Chad Holleran with 45.0 tackles on the year (25 solo, 20 assist). Holleran also has recorded five tackles-for-loss, but is not the team leader in that statistic. Holleran's fellow senior linebacker DJ White leads the Tiger defense with 11.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. Georgetown has three players with two interceptions on the year, senior linebacker Payton Standifer along with senior defensive backs Kyren Simpson and Davon Starks.
The Game Will Be Decided By…
Staying ahead of the chains. The Bears 5-14 overall on third down last week and were 2-7 when facing third and 5+ against Bluefield. For the Tigers, staying ahead of the chains is crucial as well. The Tigers' balanced attack flourishes when they can stay out of third-and-long situations. The Tigers were 4/11 on third and 5+ against Bethel last week, including eight consecutive failed conversions. Converting on third and long is a difficult thing to do, so staying ahead of the chains is critical. The team that avoids falling behind the chains on early downs Saturday will likely be the one that comes away with a win.
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