CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Looking for a bounce-back conference victory, the Tigers hosted the Faulkner University Eagles for this year's Homecoming game on Saturday. With 11 times as many rushing yards as Faulkner and a stout defensive effort, Campbellsville won the game, 46-7.
The Eagles were first on the scoreboard with a two-yard touchdown during their opening drive. The Tigers began their first drive with a 22-yard pass from Jagger Gillis to Ashton Auker, bringing the Campbellsville offense closer to the end zone. Gillis followed with a 15-yard pass to Jack Busey, resulting in the Tigers' first touchdown, tying the score. Not only did the Campbellsville defense force a three-and-out next, they forced Faulkner to negative yardage during their second drive. When the Tiger offense stalled right past midfield, Gillis punted the ball on a fake fourth-down conversion try. Subsequently, the Eagles returner muffed the punt reception and Campbellsville recovered to keep their drive going. On the very next play, Charles Collins rushed for 33 yards for the Tigers' second touchdown. A testament to the Tigers' offensive dominance from the early stages of the game, Myles Butler intercepted the ball from the Eagles, returning the Tigers 43 yards. However, three consecutive sacks pushed Campbellsville back 17 yards. Colin Fratus closed the Tigers' drive with a 40-yard field goal, recording a new career-high. At the end of the first quarter, the Tigers led the game, 17-7.
Justyce Law was under center for the Tigers' initial drive to start the second quarter. After catching a touchdown pass that was unfortunately called back, Archelaus Smith rushed the ball for a touchdown on the very next play. Although the Eagles advanced down to the Tigers' 18-yard line, an unsuccessful fourth-down conversion meant the Campbellsville offense took over deep in their own territory. The Tigers' kept to the ground playing conservatively through the remainder of the half. Just before the two-minute warning, Faulkner had a chance to score and was stopped, leaving time for the Tigers' to make a final push to the end zone. Campbellsville remained on the lead at the end of the first half, 24-7.
The Tigers offensive onslaught only strengthened coming into the second half, scoring their fourth touchdown of the game with a 17-yard pass from Gillis to Andre Siler. Despite advancing 77 yards during their second drive, the Eagles were unable to score as CJ Cutliff intercepted Faulkner's pass. After a 69-yard punt by the Eagles, Archelaus Smith rushed for an 83-yard touchdown, increasing Campbellsville's advantage to 29 points over Faulkner. The Eagles' following drive was short-lived, as Obie Wilson intercepted the ball, bringing the Tigers to the 18-yard line. Justyce Law completed a 16-yard pass to Jack Busey, collecting another touchdown for Campbellsville. Going into the final quarter, the Tigers continued to grow the Eagles deficit, 43-7.
The fourth quarter began with both teams losing yards in their respective first drives. Isaiah Johnson and Law each earned a few rushing yards, bringing Campbellsville to the three-yard line with only two minutes left in the contest. Fratus collected his second field goal of the day from 20 yards. At the end of the game, the Tigers took the victory 46-7.
The Tigers will be back in action, traveling to McKenzie, Tennessee to battle the Bethel University Wildcats on Saturday, November 2nd, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
- The Tigers held the Eagles scoreless for 56 minutes, the longest stretch of the season for the Campbellsville defense.
- Campbellsville bested Faulkner in most statistical categories: first downs (28-13), rushing yards (203-18), passing yards (353-194), and interceptions (3-0).
- Kale Hagan led the Tigers with four tackles, Gillis with 278 passing yards, Luke Sheperson with six receptions and 130 receiving yards, and Charles Collins with 120 rushing yards.
- This afternoon's game marks Campbellsville's second consecutive win against Faulkner, and the Tigers' fifth overall win against the Eagles out of eleven games played since 2010.
