CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Looking to earn their first home game of the 2019 season on their last chance did not go as planned for the Campbellsville football team as they fell to Cumberland University 28-13 on Senior Day at Finley Stadium.
A scoreless first quarter from both Campbellsville and Cumberland did not last long into the second quarter as the Phoenix scored on their first possession of the second quarter.
Telvin Rucker got the scoring started with a three-yard touchdown run to cap off a seven-play, 71 drive that took about 2:19 from the end of the first quarter to the start of the second quarter. Rucker finished with 62 yards rushing and scored twice as he also punched in a 12-yard score later in the second quarter to finish off a 91-yard drive and help the Phoenix take a 14-0 lead.
The Tigers wouldn't go into halftime quietly though as Ormani Zanders busted a 47-yard touchdown run with 2:36 left on the clock before halftime to cut the Cumberland lead to 14-7 at the break. Zanders was the offensive start for Campbellsville as he finished with a career-high 133 yards on the ground and that touchdown carry.
Campbellsville picked up the first score of second half on a
Noah Bicksler 22-yard field goal and were looking to take a lead down 14-10 with the ball later in the third quarter before a game-changing play gave Cumberland the momentum for the rest of the game.
Talaileva Sufia dropped back to pass and was intercepted by Cumberland defensive lineman Justin Brown, who returned it to the end zone to go up 21-10. On that play, Sufia was also knocked out of the game on a hit that saw the sophomore quarterback slammed hard to the ground as he was unable to return.
Chase Wilson struggled in relief of Sufia, finishing 3-for-9 for only 18 yards and taking five sacks.
Kendon Young had another strong game on the outside for Campbellsville, finishing with eight catches and 80 yards in the last game at Finley Stadium for the Campbellsville native.
Cumberland added another touchdown on a 51-yard pass from Joseph Rushin to Chris Gatewood on the first play of the fourth quarter and the Tigers were only able to add another Bicksler field goal, from 41 yards as the Phoenix closed out the 28-13 win.
Campbellsville will have one game remaining on the schedule for the 2019 when they travel to McKenzie, Tenn. to face off against Bethel University next Saturday on the road.
