WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — The 17^th-ranked Campbellsville Fighting Tigers took an early 10-0 lead but University of the Cumberlands scored 23 unanswered points in the second and third quarters and was able to control the time of possession late, defeating CU, 23-17.

Campbellsville was unable to stop the Cumberlands' running game, as the Patriots rushed for 372 yards compared to CU's 41. Cumberlands also held the time of possession advantage 37:46 to 21:57 over CU and the Patriots had the ball for over 10 minutes in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

After trailing 23-10, the young Campbellsville team started to rally. To start the fourth quarter, CU was held on fourth down but the Patriots were called for roughing the passer giving the Fighting Tigers new life. Brown took advantage and hit freshman Kendon Young for a 10-yard touchdown pass – the first of Young's career.

CU then stole all the momentum after Craig threw his first interception of the season with 12:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Elmer Barron came off the edge and applied pressure forcing Craig to try and thread the needle. Tyler Carpenter stepped in front of the pass and returned the pick 15 yards to the Cumberlands 17. But that momentum stalled quickly as the Fighting Tigers went 4-and-out on the ensuing possession. Brown tossed a jump-ball pass to the back pylon but Tyus Alcorn was unable to haul in the pass.

Alcorn started the night with five receptions in the first half but only had two in the second half, finishing with 46 yards.

Cumberlands once again used its rushing attack to run the clock out late. The Patriots had their longest and best drive of the night with a 20-play, 83-yard drive.

CU had the ball back with 25 seconds left and needing to go 95-yards but Hunter Brown threw his lone interception of the night with time expiring. Brown finished the night throwing 21-of-37 for 168 yards, two touchdowns – tying a single-game high – and the one interception.

The loss for the Fighting Tigers is the fifth-straight season-opening loss, as CU hasn't won a season opener since 2011.

Cumberlands' used a trio of Patriots in its running attack. Seph Burke led UC with 146 rushing yards on 24 attempts, while Kevin Claussen finished with 109 yards. Quarterback Adam Craig also had a big night on the ground, rushing for 76 yards and one touchdown.

Chantz Goodman led the Tigers with 18 yards on five rushes.

On the defensive side of the ball, safety Justin Ramos and linebacker Jeremy Bruce led CU with 12 tackles. Ramos also gathered in one of CU's two fumbles recoveries.

How the scoring happened:

Campbellsville came out of the gates running and took advantage of a pair of early turnovers by Cumberlands. In its first drive, Craig fumbled with the Patriots driving and Justin Ramos was able to come away with his first-career fumble recovery. The Fighting Tigers turned the fumble into points, as Bradley Bates hit a career-high 37-yard field goal giving CU an early 3-0 lead.

On the very next possession and Cumberlands driving once again with its running game, nose-guard Lane Stagnolia stripped Craig and recovered another Patriots fumble. The Fighting Tigers took full advantage after that mishap, driving 43 yards on six plays and Hunter Brown hitting Cruise Coulter with a 19-yard touchdown giving Campbellsville a 10-0 lead.

But then Cumberlands defense got a little stingy. Campbellsville's next three drives went for a total of 13 plays and 40 yards.

The Patriots then scored 23 unanswered points to take a 23-10 lead after three quarters of play. UC scored on four-straight drives, totaling 37 plays for 245 yards. Burke put UC on the board with a 4-yard touchdown run with 10:04 remaining in the second quarter. Cumberlands then pulled the string and went to the air as Craig hit Weston Hayes for an 11-yard touchdown pass and catch right before halftime. Craig only went to the air five times tonight and completed one – but that turned out to the only one needed.

To start the third quarter, Joe Rose nailed a 32-yard field goal before Craig put UC ahead 23-10 with a 1-yard rushing TD.

Up Next:

Campbellsville will be back in action next Thursday night, Sept. 1 as it travels to University of Pikeville. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the Tiger Tailgate Show starting at 6:30 on the Campbellsville University Sports Network, 88.7 The Tiger and wlcufm.com.