PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Fighting Tiger football turned the ball over three times, could not take advantage of two University of Pikeville turnovers and gave up three touchdowns of over 49 yards, falling 41-34 on Thursday night.

Campbellsville falls to 0-2 on the season for the second-straight year. But last season the Tigers sparked off eight-straight victories – tying a program record – and winning the Mid-South Conference West Division and earning an NAIA Playoff bid.
 
The Fighting Tigers have a long way to go for another great ending to the year, as they are still taking their bumps with many underclassmen on the field.
 
UPIKE (2-0) took advantage tonight, picking a part the secondary with touchdowns of 53 yards, 71 yards and 49 yards. Campbellsville forced a pair of first-half fumbles but on both ensuing possessions, the Tigers turned the ball over on downs and were forced to punt, only going seven plays and gaining two yards.
 
Late in the second quarter, UPIKE picked off Hunter Brown and ended up scoring with 11 seconds in the first half to take a 14-13 lead. The Bears would then score on five of their next six possessions.
 
After Campbellsville cut the lead to one, 21-20, with 11:19 left in the third quarter, UPIKE scored two touchdowns in a span of 23 seconds with single-play drives. Sani Warren hit Braxton Witmore for a 71-yard touchdown and the next possession, the duo hooked up again for a 49-yard score.
 
Witmore finished with just the two touchdown catches and 120 yards.
 
Campbellsville was able to cut the score back to a one possession game – going 64 yards on eight plays – as Hunter Brown hit Jacob Lamb for the second of what would be three touchdown hookups between the two and also the first three of his career.
 
But UPIKE struck right back capping an eight-play 68-yard drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Warren to Austin Pray. Warren finished the night throwing for 363 yards (18-of-26) and three touchdowns.
 
CU came right back and cut the score back to a one possession game, 41-34, with 1:51 left, as Brown hit Lamb for their final touchdown hookup. But Bradley Bates ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful and UPIKE lined up in victory formation to end the game.
 
Campbellsville finished with more yards 507, compared to 472 for the Bears. Brown passed for 373 yards on 36-of-52 attempts. Senior Tyus Alcorn, pitched in a touchdown and led the Tigers with seven catches and 93 yards, while Lamb had six receptions and 90 yards.
 
The running game helped CU keep a good balance tonight, as Chantz Goodman led the Tigers with 77 yards on 13 rushes, while Wade Holtsclaw gained 65 yards on 14 carries. CU finished with 134 rushing yards.
 
UPIKE's Jamar Kirksey added two touchdowns on the ground, rushing for 90 yards on 16 carries.
 
Campbellsville will now have 10 days before its next contest. The Fighting Tigers will host Union College on Saturday, Sept. 10 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the Tiger Tailgate Show on Comcast Channel 10 and 88.7 The Tiger (wlcufm.com) starting at 6:30 p.m.