COLUMBIA, Ky. — The #25 Tigers took on the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders Saturday afternoon for this year's Battle of Highway 55, looking to make a historic 7-0 start to their season. A defensive battle ensued, and late, costly turnovers (including one at the one-yard line as time ticked down) led to the Tigers' first loss of the season, 16-10.
Campbellsville won the coin toss and chose to defer giving the first possession to the Blue Raiders. The Fighting Tigers were on the prowl as they quickly halted the Blue Raiders forcing them to go three-and-out. Campbellsville's first possession resulted in a quick three-and-out as well. Both the Fighting Tigers' and Blue Raiders' defense was admirable as neither team allowed much. Campbellsville had an all-around defensive effort with stops coming from multiple Tigers including
Jeremiah Pauling,
Kale Hagan, and
Obie Wilson. However, with four minutes left to go in the first, the Blue Raiders got enough yardage for a field goal and connected. Regaining possession, the Tigers concluded the first trailing, 3-0.
Continuing their possession in the second, the Tigers were stopped on the Blue Raiders 37-yard line. Much like the first, both teams' defensive pressure threw the other's offense out of their groove. Nonetheless, the
Jagger Gillis and the Tigers' found their momentum and paced the field in four plays. Gillis ended the drive with a seven-yard connection to
Jack Busey to secure Campbellsville's first touchdown of the game. Though shortly after, the Blue Raiders took back the reins with their own touchdown. With five minutes remaining in the half, the Fighting Tigers clawed downfield to set up
Colin Fratus for a 24-yard field goal. Going into halftime, the Tigers were even at ten with the Blue Raiders.
Starting the second half, the Tigers received the opening possession, but were pushed three-and-out by the Blue Raiders. Lindsey Wilson moved the chains once before Campbellsville's
Ellis Reed and
Landon Colvin made a crucial no-gain stop leading to a punt from the Blue Raiders. The Tigers marched down the field reaching Lindsey's 42-yard line before a turnover halted the Tigers.
Noah Steen's stop on third down and a missed field goal attempt from Lindsey Wilson kept the game at a deadlock going into the final quarter.
Opening the fourth and final quarter, the Tigers drove down the field, but committed another turnover. Lindsey Wilson took advantage of the opportunity and took the lead with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. Clawing their way back, Campbellsville pushed down the field converting multiple third and fourth downs. However, the Blue Raiders forced a fumble on the 1-yard line and recovered the ball to seal the game, 16-10.
The Tigers are set for more action at Finley Stadium Saturday, October 26th, hosting the Faulkner University Eagles for Homecoming beginning at 2:01 p.m. ET.
- Ellis Reed paced the Tigers with 11 tackles, Luke Sheperson had a total of nine receptions for 91 yards, Charles Collins had a game high 40 rushing yards, and Jack Busey scored the only touchdown for the Tigers.
- Gillis landed a QB rating of 127.5 and a total of 242 passing yards with his longest connection being 24 yards.
- Today's matchup marked the lowest score the Tigers have held the Blue Raiders to in their 15 match-ups. The next-to-lowest score came in their 2022 match-up, holding Lindsey Wilson to 21 points.
