Football 9/11/2010 12:00:00 AM

Tigers unable to recover from turnovers at Cumberland

Box Score A fourth quarter rally came up short Saturday, as Campbellsville University was unable to recover from six turnovers in a 33-21 loss at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn.

Nathan Cooper quarterbacked the Tigers to an eight-play, 86-yard drive in the final 1:27 of the game to end the game on a high note with a jump ball touchdown pass to Harold Small as time expired. It was the second touchdown catch of the quarter for the sophomore, tying the school record for touchdown receptions in a game (2).

The fourth quarter offensive surge was too little, too late for the Tigers, who gave up three direct touchdowns off turnovers, including a fumble during the first series of the game.

"The difference in the game was those touchdowns they had off turnovers. We did something we typically don't do, and that's give up a lot of points on offense. Right now, we're out of synch on offense, but we'll get it together," CU head coach Perry Thomas said.

On the Tigers' opening drive, a dropped pass by Gerwan Brewer was ruled a fumble at midfield. Cod McCallister scooped up the ball and ran it in 56 yards for the Bulldogs' first points, giving Cumberland a 7-0 lead 2:21 into its home opener.

The Tigers got the ball back, but fumbled again at their own 20, setting up a five-play scoring drive for the Bulldogs that ended on a 6-yard touchdown run for Ervin Young.

Campbellsville was shutout during the first half, with the Bulldogs taking a 19-0 lead into the locker room after Allant McLemore picked off a Robert Hill pass and returned it 36 yards down the Tiger sideline for six points. McLemore did it again in the third quarter, this time for 32 yards on Cooper's first pass of the season.

However Cooper responded to throw his next pass for a 52-yard touchdown to Stan Warrenhuffman, who led CU in receiving with 134 yards. He also re-tied his single-game school record with 10 catches in a game, a record held by numerous Tigers, including Small and CU receivers coach Rick Gehres.

Cumberland tacked on its final touchdown with three minutes left to play in the third quarter, a 13-yard run by Tim McCord.

Small's first touchdown came on the opening drive of the fourth quarter on a 13-yard pass from Hill, who led the 14-play, 77-yard drive.

Hill, who led CU in passing with 139 yards on 11-of-23 passing, marched the Tigers down field to the Cumberland 14 on the next possession. However, the drive stalled out after penalties backed the Tigers up to the 44.

Cooper followed with 132 yards on 10-of-19 passing. Both redshirt-sophomore quarterbacks had two interceptions, while starting quarterback Will Warf was 5-of-8 passing for 50 yards.

The Tigers entered the game with only four turnovers on the season and 10 takeaways, but saw that margin draw even at 10-10 as Cumberland had six takeaways in the game. Campbellsville recovered a fumble late in the game to regain a small lead in the turnover battle for the season.

Tiger defenders Jeffrey Demary and Brandon Brown led all players with 11 and 10 tackles, respectively.

Campbellsville led the game offensively, with 385 yards of total offense, but only 64 rushing yards. Cumberland was held to 205 yards of offense off 134 yards rushing and 71 yards passing.

In addition to being able to work their top three quarterbacks Saturday, CU used a reserve offensive line on its final scoring drive of the game and also worked all of its kickers into the game. Kyle Thomas handled all but one of the Tigers kickoffs, which was taken by freshman Jordan Benton. David Hon remained was 3-for-3 on point after touchdown (PAT) tries but punted only once. After his punt went only 23 yards off the side of his foot, freshman Rex Coleman made his debut for Campbellsville, punting five times for an average of 32.6 yards and put the ball inside the 20 once.

The loss ends a four-game win streak for CU, but does not affect the Tigers' Mid-South Conference standings, as Cumberland is not in the East Division.

"The thing about this game is it doesn't keep us from the playoffs. It's a loss, which you don't want, but you've got to win the conference now," Thomas said. "The (University of Wisconsin-)Whitewater game and those non-conference games are just preparation games for the games you've got to win against Lindsey Wilson, Pikeville, Georgetown and those guys. We just have to come back and prepare and be ready to go. We'll be fine. We'll get our head up and respond."

The Tigers (2-1) return home to Finley Stadium next Saturday to host the NCAA Division III defending national champions, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Kickoff is 1 p.m. The game will be televised in Campbellsville on Comcast channel 10 and streamed live online at CampbellsvilleTigers.com. Radio coverage will be on K-Country 105.7 FM in central Kentucky and online at KCountry1057.com.

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Players Mentioned

#96 Jordan Benton: P; Freshman

#20 Gerwan Brewer: RB; Sophomore

#14 Brandon Brown: DB; Junior

#88 Rex Coleman: P; Freshman

#13 Nathan Cooper: QB; Sophomore

#16 Jeffrey Demary: DB; Junior

#17 Robert Hill: QB; Sophomore

#35 David Hon: K; Junior

#2 Harold Small: RB; Sophomore

#40 Kyle Thomas: K; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#96 Jordan Benton
: Freshman
: P

#20 Gerwan Brewer
: Sophomore
: RB

#14 Brandon Brown
: Junior
: DB

#88 Rex Coleman
: Freshman
: P

#13 Nathan Cooper
: Sophomore
: QB

#16 Jeffrey Demary
: Junior
: DB

#17 Robert Hill
: Sophomore
: QB

#35 David Hon
: Junior
: K

#2 Harold Small
: Sophomore
: RB

#40 Kyle Thomas
: Freshman
: K