Pikeville, Ky. – UPIKE football downed Kentucky Christian on what was a rainy Saturday night at Hambley, making a half time pivot that saw them put up 42 second half points. The Bears took the 54-33 victory, winning their 7
th straight against the Knights.
UPIKE dominated the offensive stat line, totaling 535 yards of total offense to KCU's 221. Time of possession also went to the Bears at just a tick over 33 minutes and Fipps' squad converted on 50% of fourth downs.
The blackout season opener did not disappoint, offering spectators a high-flying shootout in which the Bears totaled 500 passing yards. Time was shared at quarterback for the Bears in the first half, piloted by
Lee Kirkland before
Eli Sammons and
Xavier Malone both took the reins. It was Kirkland who would right the ship in the second half and command the offense. The 6'6" junior finished with 363 yards, four touchdowns, and a single interception on 24 completions.
Three receivers snagged five or more receptions, led by KCU transfer
Diego Soto who put together a standout performance with nine receptions. Soto finished with 149 yards on nine receptions, including a 98-yard air mail from Kirkland in the fourth quarter.
Newcomer
Anthony Grant totaled 11 tackles to lead the defense, backed up by
Travion Pope who racked up seven tackles.
Myson Livingston finished with a pair of sacks for a new career high while
Brett Coleman and
Cameron Miller snagged
Kirkland and company opened the game with an seven play, 81-yard drive that saw Sanders punch it in on a nine yard toss from Sanders. The PAT was anything but routine, as a blocked extra point led to a 97-yard house call for KCU.
KCU scored on the following drive and the Knights defense forced a punt and turnover on downs, scoring again in their opening drive of the second quarter to take a 16-6 lead. The Bears answered with a scoring drive with just over four minutes to go, trailing by four. Both teams struggled the remainder of the half, as the Knights went to the locker room ahead 19-12.
UPIKE's defense came out of the locker room with a lock down approach, setting the tone by forcing a three and out on the first KCU drive. The offense followed up with a nine play, 56 yard touchdown march which was capped by
Alex Sanders who busted through for a three yard score.
After KCU took the lead once more at around the 6:00 mark in the third, both teams fell flat offensively for the remainder of the quarter.
Cameron Miller recorded his first interception of the season in the next KCU drive, and the action remained stagnant until the final period.
Kirkland fired in his third touchdown pass to open the fourth, finding
Derrick Griffith for six, tying the game at 26 after
Jakob Headley's PAT. On the following drive,
Brett Coleman capitalized on an interception, sprinting 54 yards up-field to set the Bears up with a first in goal. The Bears took their first lead since the opening drive one play later thanks to a run by Sanders.
The teams battled back and fourth until the 4:14 mark. After a coffin-corner punt by KCU's Connor Ignacio, the Bears found themselves pinned at their own own two yard line. Kirkland dropped back and went for it all, sailing the ball over 40 yards on a dime to Soto who finished what is the second longest completion in UPIKE football history, 98 yards. The momentum had shifted, and it was all gas no brakes.
Griffith and
D'Andre Stafford took the targets in the Bears' next offensive try, marching upfield 37 yards to stretch the lead to 21. After the next KCU score, the Knights tried the onside kick and Griffith switched on the burners, taking the ball 50 yards for the touchdown.
UPIKE football returns to Hambley Field next Saturday, September 17
th for a 3:00 PM matchup against Cumberland.
