Football 9/14/2018 9:01:00 AM Jordan Alves

Fighting Tiger football hits the road for Saturday night matchup with No. 17 Cumberlands

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — Fighting Tiger football gets back on the gridiron this weekend after its first bye week to face No. 17 University of the Cumberlands on Saturday night.

Kickoff for the Tigers and Patriots it scheduled at 7 p.m. ET from James H. Taylor II Field in Williamsburg. Fans can catch the Tiger Tailgate Show with Alex Meade and Khalil Baker at 6:30 on 88.7 The Tiger, the CU Sports Network.

Campbellsville enters the weekend seeking its first win of the season and is trying to find its identity on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers, who have averaged 40 points per game the last four seasons, has only scored 19 points on the season with a 16-10 loss to Faulkner University and 45-9 defeat on the road at Webber International.

University of the Cumberlands enters the weekend after its best start since 2013 – the same year UC reached the NAIA Championship and finished runner-up. The Patriots have two wins over ranked or receiving votes opponents. UC defeated No. 11 Southeastern University to start the year, 27-26, and Faulkner University, 44-34.

Series Facts:

Campbellsville and Cumberlands are meeting for the 30th time in program history with the Patriots leading the series, 17-12.
From 1991 to 2002, the Tigers won 11-of-12 games but lost 11-straight to Cumberlands until breaking that streak in Williamsburg in 2014.
The 2014 win in Williamsburg was the first road victory for a CU head coach not named Ron Finley. It was also the last time the Tigers won in Williamsburg.
Overall when the series is played at James H. Taylor II Field, the Patriots have a slight edge over CU with an 8-7 record.
In the series, Cumberlands has the slight edge over the Tigers, scoring 23.5 points a game compared to Campbellsville's 21.5
In CU's 12 wins, the Tigers' average 28.6 points and hold Cumberlands to 11.6
Campbellsville is 68-89 while playing on the road
Coach Perry Thomas' away record is 25-29.
Thomas and UC head coach Matt Rhymer are meeting for the fourth time Saturday night, while the Patriots have a 3-1 record over CU in the last five years since Rhymer's arrival.

Tiger Clawz:

Campbellsville lost its season opener to Faulkner University, 16-10, and lost to Webber International two Saturday's ago in Florida, 45-9.
The 0-2 start is the third in program history, while the Tigers are looking to end their two- game skid. CU has lost three-straight games to open a season seven times.
The Tigers are coming off their first bye week after the loss to Webber. CU's next open week is between Oct. 13 vs. Cumberland Univ. and Georgetown College on Oct. 27.
Jeremy Hinds is back as the starting quarterback this week, while Josh Davis is listed as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart. Davis is a freshman southpaw from Scott Co. HS.
Marquis Cain, a transfer from Norfolk College, returns to Campbellsville after missing the last two seasons. He played in his first game at Webber International and is back in the starting lineup on Saturday vs. Cumberlands.
The Patriots have started the year 3-0 for the first time since 2013 - the same year UC finished runner-up in the NAIA Championship.
UC defeated No. 11 Southeastern, 27-26, after the Fire missed a PAT with 3:24 left.
The Patriots then dominated Cincinnati Christian, 65-0, before pulling out a nail bitter over Faulkner, 44-34, last weekend.

Sept. 15 in Fighting Tiger Football History:

The Tigers have played three previous times on Sept. 15 – with the last coming in 2012.
CU lost at home to Bethel University, 33-23, in 2012.
The first game on Sept. 15 came in the 1990 season as the Tigers rolled past Cumberland University on the road, 34-0. Campbellsville held Cumberland to only four first-downs the entire game and rushed for 221 yards. Rod Burns picked up the majority of those with 110 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Lee Proctor scored twice with five rushes for 10 yards.
The Tigers also defeated North Greenville on the road in 2001, 27-13.
In that contest, Marc Cunningham rushed for 139 yards with two TDs.
CU held North Greenville to only five first downs and the Tigers out-gained NGC, 289-58 in total yards.

Turnover Bug Bites the Tigers Big Time:

The Tigers have a combined 7 turnovers in two games to start the 2018 season. CU fell victim to five vs. Faulkner University, while carding two vs. Webber International.
Overall, CU has put the ball on the ground a total of nine times but lost only five fumbles. The biggest was a scoop-and-score vs. Webber International to start the second quarter rally for the Warriors when they scored 24 second-quarter points.
Wide Receiver turned quarterback Jeremy Hinds, has thrown four interceptions this season and has yet to toss his first passing touchdown.

Second Quarter is Key:

In the two games this season, the Tigers' defense has allowed a combined 40 points in the second quarter.
Faulkner scored all 16 of its points in the final 3:44 before halftime and that was all the Eagles needed to win, 16-10, over CU in the season opener.
After trailing 7-6 to Webber International after the first period, the Tigers allowed 24 points in the second quarter and never was able to recover.

Strong Rushing D vs. Strong Rushing O:

Cumberlands has one of the best rushing attacks in the country, while the Tigers have one of the best rushing defenses.
The Tigers enter the week ranking No. 28 in rushing yards allowed per game, 119.5.
The Patriots rank fourth in the NAIA with 756 total rushing yards and 13th with 252 yards per game.
Overall, the Tigers have forced multiple turnovers in the first two games. CU has totaled five turnovers with three fumbles and two interceptions.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#11 Khalil Baker: LB; 5' 9"; Senior; Hopkinsville, Ky.

#12 Jeremy Hinds: QB; 6' 3"; Graduate Student; Huntsville, Ala.

#10 Josh Davis: QB; 6' 1"; Freshman; Georgetown, Ky.

#11 Marquis Cain: DB; 5' 10"; Senior; Atlanta, Ga.

Players Mentioned

#11 Khalil Baker
: 5' 9"; Senior; Hopkinsville, Ky.
: LB

#12 Jeremy Hinds
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student; Huntsville, Ala.
: QB

#10 Josh Davis
: 6' 1"; Freshman; Georgetown, Ky.
: QB

#11 Marquis Cain
: 5' 10"; Senior; Atlanta, Ga.
: DB