CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – One month ago, Campbellsville University shocked the NAIA with what was then its biggest upset in program history, beating No. 3 Georgetown College, 28-24, at Finley Stadium. On Saturday, Nov. 8, the 25th-ranked Fighting Tigers did it again, knocking off No. 4 Faulkner University in the NAIA Game of the Week for back-to-back home victories over NAIA Top 5 teams.

Campbellsville (6-3, 3-1 MSC West) is now a half-game away from claiming its first Mid-South Conference title since 1997 when it travels to Reinhardt University (6-3, 3-1 MSC West) on Nov. 15. With a win next Saturday, Campbellsville will clinch a share of the MSC West with Faulkner (8-2, 4-1 MSC West) and will hold the tie-breaker over the Eagles for an automatic bid to the NAIA playoffs, provided the Tigers finish in the NAIA Top 20.

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"I thought it was a tremendous football game," CU head coach Perry Thomas said. "We go to play an offensive juggernaut next. They score a ton of points. I feel good. We play great defense, we  just have to play good defense. We have to go down there hungry and disciplined and find a way to get that victory like we did today."

Saturday's Senior Day was named the NAIA Game of the Week on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and the Fighting Tigers took advantage of it in front of a large, loud home crowd.

The first half was all Campbellsville as the Fighting Tigers flashed their second-ranked passing offense. Senior quarterback Jacob Russell connected on 10-of-22 passing for 114 yards in the opening quarter, but was unable to get on the scoreboard. Russell went on to finish the game 29-of-57 passing for 382 yards and two touchdowns to break three CU records: pass attempts in a game, single-season completions (202) and single-season passing yards (2,642).

"Jake just makes great decisions. Those receivers believe him and the offensive line has really bought in and are fighting like the devil for him. We're really blessed to have him back there calling the shots," Thomas said.

However, the momentum built in the second quarter, beginning with a 64-yard touchdown dash by AJ Strong after catching a short pass from Russell. Strong, who scored his first two career touchdowns last week, led CU's offense with 155 total yards (98 receiving and 57 rushing).

Trevon Chatman added a 3-yard touchdown run with two mintues left in the half, and then CU recorded a safety on the ensuing kickoff when a Faulkner player was penalized for a block-in-the-back in the end zone, making it 16-0 Campbellsville with 1:58 to play.

Campbellsville closed the half with a Will Ward 20-yard field goal to enter the locker room up 19-0.

At the half, Faulkner had only 54 yards, including 58 yards passing and -4 yards on the ground. Campbellsville, on the other hand, had 304 yards by air and 357 total.

Faulkner and star quarterback Terrell Robinson turned the game on its head in the third quarter though, racking up 109 yards of offense while making Campbellsville's offense non-existent. The Tigers had -1 yard of total offense in the third stanza.

Robinson marched the Eagles 79 yards down the field in less than a minute to start the second half. He capped the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jazeri Peterson. On the next drive, Robinson struck again, this time from 21 yards out to Keithon Redding to pull within five points, 19-14, with 9:54 to go in the third.

The senior, who was named MSC Offensive Player of the Week three times this season, then gave the Eagles their first lead, 21-19, on a 5-yard keeper early in the fourth quarter, capping a 13-play, 80-yard drive.

CU immediately answered, as Demytreus Gipson returned the kickoff to the Eagles' 34. When the drive stalled, Ward came in to attempt a 46-yard field goal, which fell short, but CU got one more chance after the offense had a false start. Backed up to fourth and 19, CU converted with Russell hitting Chatman for a 26-yard gain. Moments later, backed up to second and goal from the 18, Russell found Chatman again, this time leaping over Ladarian Smiley in the back, left corner of the end zone for the go-ahead score, 25-21. Russell punched in the QB keeper for the 2-point conversion, 27-21.

Faulkner also benefited from a long kick return, as reigning MSC Special Teams Player of the Week Gabe Chambers dashed 60 yards through the CU defenders before being pushed out of bounds by Ward at the Tigers' 22.

Campbellsville's red zone defense stepped up. After the Eagles crossed the 20 on second down to the 17, Dekwain Tarrance and Bryson Bell forced Robinson out of bounds for a 12-yard sack. Unfortunately, Robinson was injured following the play and did not return. Backup quarterback David Cochran took over on fourth down but his pass to the end zone was broken up by Percy Minor.  

CU ran most of the remaining 5:57 off the clock with a combination of runs by Russell and Strong. The Tigers worked the ball down to the Faulkner 20, setting up a season-long, 37-yard field goal for Will Ward to ice the game with 7.5 to play.

Campbellsville finished the day with 480 total yards, while Faulkner had 305. The Tigers were 3-for-4 on offense inside the red zone and held Faulkner to 1-of-4.

CU awaits the NAIA Top 25 rankings, which will be announced Monday, and will travel to Reinhardt on Saturday, Nov. 15 for a 12 p.m. EST kickoff to close its regular season.


NOTES
- The game was featured as the NAIA Game of the Week.
- CU ended a three-year skid against Faulkner.
- Campbellsville is now 2-3 against Faulkner, winning on Senior Day 2010 and Senior Day 2014.
- Demytreus Gipson had 85 yards in the game. His 12-yard catch on fourth-and-nine in the fourth quarter broke Stan Warrenhuffman's career record for most receiving yards (2,390). Gipson now has 2,401 yards.
- Jacob Russell broke three Tiger records in the game. He now holds the record for single-game passing attempts (57), single-season completions (202) and single-season passing yards (2,642). Robert Hill had 55 pass attempts in the 2010 Victory Bowl. Ross Deaton held the previously held the other two records in 2008 with 183 completions and 2,363 yards.
- Trevon Chatman finished with 92 yards in the game, giving him 904 for the season, just behind Demytreus Gipson's 914. Both are chasing the single-season record of 1,009 yards set by Shane Riley in 2002.
- Campbellsville University set a new team single-season passing yards record (2,866). The previous record was 2,613 in 2011.
- Blake Young added to his career tackles record (345) and career solo tackles record (192).
- Jacob Russell added to his single-season touchdown passes record (23).
- Trevon Chatman added to his single-season receptions record (65).
- At halftime, team physicians Dr. Bobby Brooks of Campbellsville, Ky., and Dr. Gary Bloemer of Louisville, Ky., were inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame.