PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Graduate student Lee Kirkland threw three touchdowns and freshman tailback Amon Williams ran for two scores as the University of Pikeville handed Reinhardt (Ga.) University its first-ever loss in the AAC with a 47-21 win on Homecoming afternoon at the W.C. Hambley Athletics Complex.
 
Kirkland had yet another record-breaking day, throwing for 299 yards to move past his former coach Trevor Hoskins for career passing yards. He has now thrown for 7,515 yards in his career, and he has now moved past Hoskins to be the all-time leader in completions, attempts and touchdown passes, in addition to passing yards.
 
Williams was incredibly impressive, carrying 18 times for 185 yards with his two scores. His yardage is the eighth most in school history and the most in a single game since Oct. 10, 2015 when Quan Weaver went for 223 yards at Campbellsville.
 
An amazing streak came to an end for the Eagles. It was their first conference loss since November 7, 2015, a 70-56 loss to Campbellsville when both they and UPike were members of the Mid-South Conference.
 
In the first half, Reinhardt scored at the beginning of the half and UPike posted its score at the end.
 
For the Eagles, junior Tyshun Jordan took the handoff on the first play of the game and hustled 73 yards for a touchdown. Freshman Alex Hanson's kick made it 7-0.
 
The score stayed that way until 26 seconds remained in the half. That's when Kirkland found freshman Jalen Royal-Eiland on a corner pattern from the four-yard line. The kick, however, was blocked, so the Eagles took a 7-6 lead to the half.
 
The Bears received the opening kick to start the second half and charged downfield. They covered 65 yards on eight plays, the biggest of which was a 21-yard pass from Kirkland to freshman tight end Grant Scott that not only took the ball downfield but moved Kirkland past his former coach Trevor Hoskins for the school's career record in passing yards.
 
That play set up the six-yard touchdown run by Amon Williams, the first of his career. Senior Austin Shuffler's kick was good, giving the Bears a 13-7 lead with 12:10 left in the third quarter.
 
The Bears then turned the Eagles over on downs, getting the ball at their own 43. The Bears took their time moving downfield, using 10 plays to move 57 yards, finding the end zone when Kirkland hit junior Jordan Williams for the final seven.
 
A two-point conversion try failed, but the Bears were on top 19-7 with 5:18 left in the third.
 
On third down of the ensuing drive, freshman Clayton Hutto intercepted the first pass of his career, giving the Bears the ball at their own 42.
 
It took six plays for the Bears to again find pay dirt, this time on a 27-yard pass, with Kirkland again finding Royal-Eiland with 1:44 left in the third. Shuffler again hit the extra point to give the Bears a 26-7 lead.
 
The Bears again forced a three-and-out and made the Eagles pay again as Amon Williams took the first snap 45 yards for the touchdown. Shuffler's kick was perfect, making the sore 33-7 with 10:43 left in the game.
 
The Eagles then found themselves on offense, scoring with 8:53 left when Taylor Jackson hit Cedric Cullers from 26 yards out. Hanson's kick made it 33-14.
 
After recovering an on-side kick, Jamarion Walker went 46 yards for the score, making it 33-21 with 8:17 to play.
 
But the Bears responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended when Kirkland carried for the final yard with 3:57 left. Shuffler's kick made it 40-21. Kirkland also scored the final touchdown on a two-yard run with 1:15 to play. Shuffler set the final score with the kick.
 
Kirkland picked up his yardage thanks to going 35-of-51 in the air, in addition to carrying 12 times for 54 yards and a pair of scores. Jordan Williams was his favorite target, catching seven balls for 61 yards.
 
Jackson led three Reinhardt passers by going 12-of-27 for 146 yards, throwing for a touchdown but also two interceptions. Cullers led the receivers with five catches and 72 yards and the touchdown.
 
Walker carried for 97 yards on seven carries and a score.
 
Junior Brett Coleman had 10 tackles to lead the way to go with an interception, while junior Chuck Moore had nine, including one for loss.
 
The Bears will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Grayson to play Kentucky Christian University. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.