MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Fighting Tigers Football concluded their regular season play Saturday when they took on the Bethel University Wildcats falling 46-21.

The opening drive saw D'Anta Sipp record a 26-yard run, but the offense stalled after that. The Tigers went for it on fourth-and-14 at Bethel's 36 unsuccessfully on an incomplete pass from freshman quarterback Rennie Prim Jr. (making his debut as starting quarterback) to Patrick Oden. The Tiger defense was ready to make an impact though and forced the Wildcat offense into a three-and-out in their first possession. A huge 33-yard pass from Prim Jr. to fellow freshman Andre Siler would plant Campbellsville's drive in Bethel's redzone and that is where Prim Jr. would scramble for the first rushing touchdown of his career. The Wildcats responded with a long seven-play, run-heavy drive ending in a seven-yard passing touchdown to even the game at 7-7. In their subsequent drive and from just beyond the midfield line, Prim Jr. ran a play-action that found Michael Walker all the way down to the six-yard line. Unfortunately, while fighting for a touchdown, Sipp would fumble on a rush attempt at the one-yard line and Bethel would take over.

In the second quarter and under pressure, Bethel's quarterback Chowbay would launch a ball as he was hit for a 64-yard touchdown. Campbellsville would net two first downs on their drive before requiring a punt after a Prim Jr. sack at their own 42. It would be another massive pass (57 yards) that would lead to another Bethel University touchdown. Down 21-7 beginning their drive at the 25-yard line, Prim Jr. found Patrick Oden with a strike, but the ball would be punched out again for prime Wildcat field position. Bethel would make the most of the opportunity connecting on a 35-yard throw on their first down. After pushing the ball past the goal line on the back of a couple one-yard rushes, the Wildcats went for two successfully making it 29 unanswered points by Bethel. On the kickoff, Kel Hawkins would break their scoring drought after receiving a lateral and returning the kick to paydirt. The Tigers' Tyshaun Thomas would sack Chowbay on the Wildcats' drive and force a fumble which Campbellsville recovered. Despite the great field position in the Bethel redzone as a result, the Wildcat defense forced a field goal which was missed. Another 73-yard throw would mean the score climbed to 36-14 in favor of the Wildcats before halftime.

The story of the half was the 17.3 net yards per pass play of the Wildcats'. The Tiger defense would look to shore up the holes in their secondary in the final half of play. Most other major statistical numbers were similar. Both teams were right around 50% on third down conversions, both teams had ran around 20 times for between four and five yards per rush, and both had been forced by the other team to punt twice. Despite two fumbles compared to Bethel's one, the time of possession was largely in the Tigers' favor nearing 18 minutes against the Wildcats' 12.

Bethel received the ball to begin the second half and on just their second play from scrimmage Ha'keem Dillard sacked Chowbay and stripped him of the ball which the Tigers recovered. Beginning at the Wildcats' 35-yard line, the Tigers would manage one first down and reach the redzone before using all four downs attempting to enter the endzone. The Campbellsville defense would step up though and force a three-and-out fielding Bethel's punt at midfield. After getting one first down, the Tigers would go for it again on a fourth down and be unsuccessful turning the ball over on downs. On their first play, the Wildcats rattled off a 49-yard rush to get to the Campbellsville 14-yard line where they scored the very next play on a follow-up run. The next Tiger drive would be a three-and-out. After getting close to the Tigers' endzone, a sack by Sharif Muhammad on third down would force a Bethel field goal which was good. A three-and-out for the Tigers would end the third quarter.

The fourth quarter began with yet another forced fumble for Thomas and place the Tigers' offense at the 11-yard line where a Chris Gatewood rush would result in a touchdown. After that it would be two back-to-back three-and-outs: one by Bethel and one by Campbellsville. A punt by Bethel would lead to an eight-play 55-yard drive for the Tigers that would stall on an attempt to convert a fourth down. The Wildcats would then run the clock out to end the game 46-21.

The Tigers would conclude their season in a contest where their rushing game outgained their passing 156 to 143. Sipp ended the day with 121 yards on 29 carries to supplement the Campbellsville offense. DeAgo Brumfield and Dillard would anchor the defense with 8 total tackles each.

The Tigers will now set their sights on preparing for the 2022 season.