PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville righted the ship on Saturday night, winning its homecoming game over the Knights of Kentucky Christian University 49-0.
 
In front of several alumni and a very nice crowd, the Bears improved to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in the AAC. KCU fell to 0-7, 0-2 in the league.
 
The Bears took the opening kickoff straight down the field, with the drive ending when senior quarterback Lee Kirkland hit freshman U'Kari Baker, who turned his first career reception into a 10-yard touchdown pass. Senior kicker Jakob Headley hit the extra-point, making the score 7-0 with 11:41 left to play.
 
Kirkland threw two more first-quarter touchdowns. The first came with 6:18 left when he found Derrick Griffith from 23 yards out. The second came with 6:08 left when he found junior Diego Soto on a 19-yard scoring strike. Headley made both PATs, making it 21-0.
 
Scoring in the second period began when Kirkland found senior Bralin Barton on a 13-yard strike with 10:12 left in the half.
 
The final points of the half came when junior Kha'Ron Throwe blocked a punt, which was picked up by junior Obie Wilson at the 30 yard line and returned it for a touchdown. It was Wilson's second career score, and Headley's PAT came with 1:18 left to send the teams to the break 35-0.
 
The Bears scored on the final play of the third period when junior quarterback Xavier Malone found senior D'Andre Stafford in the corner of the end zone from 32 yards away.
 
In the final period, junior Garry Galloway, who broke free for 39 yards on the play before, covered the final three yards to set the final score with 7:14 left in the game.
 
The Bears used four quarterbacks on the night who combined to go 27-of-44 in the air for 315 yards, with Kirkland tossing for 186 and four scores. An incredible 14 different players caught passes for the Bears, led by Griffith with six catches for 71 yards.
 
KCU 's Baden Gillispie was 4-of-10 in the air for 30 yards in the air.
 
The Knights picked up 111 yards on 44 carries, led by Jamari Wilson, who gained 60 on 26 carries.
 
Four Bears had five tackles in the win to lead the defense. Freshman Levi Evans, Maalona Pula, Jacquez Rush and Ben Tate all had five. Three Bears, Russ, Tierdin Berry and Gary McGowan, all forced fumbles.
 
The Bears will be back on the road next Saturday when they head to Bluefield, Va., College for a 7 p.m. AAC contest.