GRAYSON, Ky. – Call it destiny, prophetic or fate. Favor was bestowed upon first-year Campbellsville University kicker Casey Clarke on Saturday.

The former CU soccer star kicked five field goals and broke four records as Campbellsville University held off the Kentucky Christian University Knights, 15-14, for the Tigers' first win of the 2012 season.

 

"It was a good win and gets the season going good again and gets the momentum and pride back up," said CU head coach Perry Thomas. "All of the athletic programs at the university are doing well, and we look back and realize we're not getting it done. Our guys are felling that and wanted to be a part of it."

The Week Five win snapped a 0-4 start, similarly to the 1993 season – the last time CU won in record-breaking fashion with a 0-4 start after three straight winning seasons.

That year, it was former Tiger running back Rod Turpin rewriting the CU record book for rushing en route to a win over Lindenwood University.

This year, Clarke's record day included field goals from 20, 34, 37, 52 and 41 yards out as he broke the CU single-game records for most field goals made and most points scored by a kicker. He also tied records for most field goal attempts and the longest field goal made. The latter was previously set 22 years ago to the day, Sept. 29, 1990, by Steve Tow.

"I'm so happy for him, because it's been a work in progress for him. He'd never played football before," said CU head coach Perry Thomas. "(The record is) huge for him because it gives him confidence, and it's tougher for our opponents now."

Clarke, who helped the CU men's soccer break multiple team records over the past four seasons, deflected the credit to his teammates, which include long snapper McKale High and holder Brandon Brown on the field goal unit.

"Everyone did it, the offense and defense … I have the simple job, just kick the ball," said Clarke. "I'm happy we finally won. I couldn't bear to lose again."

Campbellsville started its day with a detour through Frankfort, Ky., due to bus trouble, which delayed the game 15 minutes. It was just another item to add to the Fighting Tigers' list of adversity for the season.

"It shows the maturity of our guys, even though some are young, and the growth of our program. A few years ago, if we had a bus that had trouble and delayed us, we'd lose that mindset and start thinking about other things and come out flat. Our guys stayed focused and locked-in," Thomas said.

The Tiger defense was locked and loaded, allowing only 24 yards of offense on the Knights' first three possessions. While KCU compiled 387 yards of offense in the game, the Tigers held them to 4-of-14 on third down, shut out the Knights in the final 30 minutes and forced two turnovers.

After holding KCU on its initial possession of the game, Bryan Parnes and the Tiger offense drove 51 yards to set up Clarke's first field goal of the day from 20 yards out. The 3-0 Campbellsville lead remained through the end of the first quarter.

KCU found the end zone twice in the second quarter on touchdown passes of 29 and 67 yards from Graham Johnson to Caleb Cox. Andrew Slikker was 2-for-2 on extra points.

CU sophomore Darius Skinner had the first of two interceptions by the Tiger secondary, helping set up Clarke's 34-yard field goal. The kick cut the Tigers' deficit to 7-6.

After KCU answered with Cox's second touchdown, Parnes once again worked the field for Campbellsville. He completed passes to Demetric Ray, Jared Harrington and Seth McFerrin to move the Tigers in range for a 37-yard field goal. Campbellsville trailed 14-9 at the half. Parnes finished his first complete game at quarterback with 155 yards on 13-of-28 passing.

While Clarke's perfect day lifted Campbellsville, it was three missed field goals by Slikker that kept the Tigers in the game.

On the Knights' second possession of the third quarter, Slikker missed from 39 yards. With 4:17 remaining in the quarter, Clarke made history with his 52-yard kick. He later added a 41-yarder after an Earl McCann interception to give Campbellsville its first second-half lead of the season, 15-14 at the end of the third quarter.

CU's defense closed out the nail-bitter fourth quarter by stalling KCU's offense at the KCU 47, CU 30, and then CU 17. The last two drives ended with a failed kick by Slikker. Blake Young blocked the first attempt from 47 yards out and Slikker missed wide from 24 yards with 10 seconds remaining in the game.

With one play remaining for CU, Parnes dropped to a knee in the victory formation for the first time this season.

Campbellsville (1-4) will return home Saturday, Oct. 6 to host No. 3 Georgetown College (5-0) in another Mid-South Conference cross-divisional game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EDT at Finley Stadium and Citizens Bank Field on Campbellsville University's Preview Day.


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NOTES & MILESTONES
- Casey Clarke tied the CU record for longest field goal (52 yards), previously set by Steve Tow on Sept. 29, 1990 at home against Mount St. Joseph's.
- Casey Clarke becomes the fourth Tiger kicker to make a field goal from 50 or more yards, joining Donnie Johnson (twice), Bron Jeffries and Steve Tow.
- Casey Clarke tied the record for most field goal attempts in a game (5). Donnie Johnson previously set the record on Sept. 22, 2001 vs. the University of the Cumberlands
- Casey Clarke broke the record for most points scored by a kicker in a single-game (15). The previous record was 14 points, held by Donnie Johnson (10/11/03 vs. Belhaven) and James Kraus (10/14/00 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan).
- Casey Clarke broke the record for most field goals made in a single game (5). The previous record was three, held by David Hon (10/1/09 at Shorter), Donnie Johnson (9/22/01 vs. Cumberlands and 10/11/03 vs. Belhaven), James Kraus (9/25/99 and 11/13/99) and Bron Jeffries (9/30/95 vs. Tusculum).
- Casey Clarke's five field goals made are the fifth-most in a single game nation-wide in the NAIA. Four players set the NAIA single-game record with six field goals made from 1980 to 1993.
- Six field goals made on the season, ties Casey Clarke with James Kraus for ninth-place of most field goals made in a season at CU.
- Campbellsville is now 3-0 against Kentucky Christian University.
- For the second straight-year, a field goal was the winning points for Campbellsville vs. KCU.
- 155 yards passing is an NAIA career-high for Bryan Parnes.
- Blake Young's 12 tackles is a career-high.
- Blake Young now has four blocked kicks in his career (2 PAT, 2 FG). Both blocked field goals are against KCU.

Photo Gallery to be added later (Photos by Sarah Ames)