The Matchup: 

The University of Pikeville Bears hit the road for the first time this season for a Mid-South Conference matchup against the Bethel University (Tenn.) Wildcats on Saturday. UPIKE comes into this game receiving top-25 votes and has a 2-0, 1-0 MSC record. The Bethel Wildcats enter the contest as the #13 ranked team in NAIA with a record of 3-0, 0-0 MSC. Saturday will mark the ninth meeting between the Wildcats and Bears, with the all-time series knotted at 4-4. The road team has won five of the last six games in this series, with Bethel continuing that streak last season with a 44-13 win in Pikeville.

Scouting the Bears:

The Bears bring pass heavy offensive game plan. Averaging 539.5 yards per game through the air, the team leads the NAIA in total offense per game with 598.5. UPIKE is averaging 7.2 yards per play and are 46% on third down. The offense has been aggressive in their play calling and is 3-7 (42%) on fourth down converstions this season. 

On the defensive side of the ball, UPIKE's opponents are averaging 315 yards per game. The Bears defense is giving up an average of 102.5 yards on the ground and 212.5 through the air. Coach Chris Elliott's defense has been opportunistic and has forced ample havoc plays. Through two games, UPIKE's defense has 13.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 13 pass break-ups and has forced six turnovers (5 INT, 1 FR). 

Scouting the Wildcats:

While UPIKE is pass-heavy, Bethel has a more balanced offensive attack. They average 388 yards per game, 169 on the ground and 219 through the air. On third down, the Wildcats are only converting 38%. 

The Wildcats' defense has been lights-out through three games. They have held their opponents to 228.7 yards per game, allowing 148.3 on the ground and 80.3 through the air. Defensive Coordinator Chris Springer's squad has held opponents to a 17% third-down conversion rate and have limited teams to 6.0 points per game. The Wildcats' havoc play numbers include 36.0 tackles for loss, four sacks, 19 pass break-ups five forced turnovers (2 INT, 3 FR). 

Who & What to Watch For:

 Saturday's contest features a high-powered offense against a lockdown defense. UPIKE's offense is led by junior quarterback Lee Kirkland. Kirkland has won Mid-South Conference Offensive Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks and was named NAIA Offensive Player of the Week this past week. Through two games, Kirkland is 57-87, 969 yards, 8 touchdowns, 3 interceptions and has an efficiency rating of 182.52. Against Cumberland, Kirkland threw for 579 yards; which is the second-most in a single game in UPIKE football history. 

The Bears offensive line against Bethel's play makers on the line of scrimmage will be a key matchup in this one. The Wildcats defense is led in tackles by senior linebacker Jakobe Griffin with 26 on the season (9 solo, 17 assists). Griffin also has 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. On the line of scrimmage, redshirt sophomore Timothy Hamilton leads the team in tackles for loss with 4.5 and one forced fumble. In the secondary, Vonte Bates has 18 tackles on the year (11 solo, 7 assists). Brandon Moore and Devious Christman lead the Wildcats in pass break-ups, with four each. 

UPIKE is led in receiving yards by Derrick Griffith with 207, Alex Sanders with 205, Diego Soto with 178 and Rashad Brown with 146. The matchup of Griffith, Sanders, Soto and Brown against Bethel's vaunted secondary will be a matchup to watch out for. In last week's win over (RV) Cumberlands, the Bears had three receivers finish with 100 plus yards.

Linebacker Travion Pope leads the Bears' defense in tackles with 18 (9 solo, 9 assist). Josh Ervin and Myson Livingston are the lead playmakers for the Bears, delivering dynamic performances off the edge. Ervin has seven tackles (4 solo, 3 assist), 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Livingston also has seven tackles (4 solo, 3 assist), 2.0 tackles for loss and two sacks on the season. 

On the defensive line, the Bears face a talented Bethel running back tandem. The Wildcats have rushed for 507 yards on the season with Terrence Roberts and Stavonski Wilkes getting the lion's share of carries. 

In the secondary, UPIKE cornerback Cameron Miller leads the Bears with two interceptions and eight total tackles. Miller had a 100-yard interception return against Cumberland last week, the longest in program history. Gary McGowan leads the team in pass break-ups with three, followed by Obie Wilson with two. 

The UPIKE secondary will be facing a very efficient quarterback in Joaquin Collazo III this week. Collazo is 32-61, 657 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception and has an efficiency rating of 177.5 on the year. Five of Collazo's seven touchdown passes have gone to sophomore JD Dixon, who leads the teams in receptions (10) and yards (298).