BABSON PARK, Fla. – Down in Florida for their second contest of the 2024 season, the Tigers' defense asserted themselves, holding the Webber International Warriors to just ten points total and none in the second half. Campbellsville had six tackles-for-loss and three interceptions in the game, including one 53-yard pick-six from Ellis Reed.
The Tigers' first possession found paydirt as Jagger Gillis whipped a 37-yarder to Nate Monroe for the opening score. The Warriors were subsequently limited and prevented from crossing midfield into Campbellsville's territory. The Tigers were moving the ball before penalties set them back into a treacherous third-and-26, eventually forced to punt.
Crossing into the second quarter, the Warriors broke a runner free for a 49-yard touchdown. After a couple more penalties and a fumble they themselves recovered, Campbellsville had a five-minute drive that resulted in just 30 netted yards. Following a punt, Webber went ahead on a 36-yard field goal with four minutes before the halftime horn. With the opportunity to go ahead or tie, Gillis and Monroe converted a third-and-nine at their own 26-yard line. As time ticked down advancing further, Campbellsville got down to just outside the opponent's redzone at Webber's 31-yard before they found themselves in a pivotal position: fourth down with a minute on the clock. The audacious Tigers went for it, and the gamble paid off. Gillis found Siler for the first down. A couple of plays later, Gillis connected with Luke Sheperson for a score, putting the Tigers ahead 14-10 at the half.
In the last 30 minutes, Campbellsville's defense put the clamps on. Webber International's first drive of the half saw Reed's pick-six. Then, Josiah Harris pulled down yet another interception on the very next Warrior possession. The Tigers had two different plays score touchdowns in the offense's opportunity from the turnover, but both were called back due to penalty calls. Eventually, they faced an improbable fourth-and-goal from the Warrior 29 and had their field goal attempt blocked. Campbellsville forced a three-and-out for Webber's next try at offense. Justyce Law then hit the field under center, sustaining the Tigers through to the deciding quarter before having to punt.
Ahead 21-10, the Warriors went for it on fourth-and-two and were tackled for a loss by Allen Parrish and Terry Brown. Gillis reentered with the ball on the Webber International 40-yard-line, and back-to-back throwing first downs (predating a Kamarion Robins ten-yard rush) placed the Tiger offense close to the goal line. In striking distance, Gillis got his third touchdown of the day to Caden Thieman, scoring 28-10. Before the final horn sounded, Kaleb Lawrence brought down the Tigers' third interception of the afternoon.
- Gillis completed over 70% of his passes (26-37) for 314 yards and three touchdowns, each to a different Tiger. Reed paced the squad with his six tackles and two tackles-for-loss; he also had the aforementioned interception return for a touchdown.
- Six separate Tigers caught at least two balls on the day: Monroe (four for 90 yards), Sheperson (six for 74 yards), Andre Siler (four for 57 yards), Ashton Auker (five for 54 yards), Tre' Bass (four for 43 yards), and Jack Busey (two for 23 yards). Also, all of these Tigers averaged over ten yards per reception.
- Saturday marked Campbellsville's second ever-program win over Webber International in six tries. The Tigers' last victory against the Warrirors was September 13, 2014 in Campbellsville, 20-7. Head Coach Jake Russell threw for two touchdowns and over 200 yards in that win, his first victory at Campbellsville University.