CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – In a wild, back-and-forth home opener, the #20 Campbellsville University Fighting Tigers stormed back in the second half to defeat the (RV) University of Pikeville Bears 37-34, moving to 3-0 on the season.
- The Fighting Tigers won their home debut in dramatic fashion, scoring 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to secure a 37-34 victory.
- Quarterback Jett Engle had a stellar bounce-back performance, throwing for 353 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
- Defensive back Jerrod Johnson changed the game in the first quarter with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown.
- The game featured a wild end to the first half when a blocked Campbellsville field goal was returned 64 yards for a Pikeville touchdown as time expired.
- Wide receiver Easton Barlow caught the game-winning 18-yard touchdown pass with 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- The Tiger offense was explosive all night, averaging an incredible 9.2 yards per play.
- Over their past three match-ups, the Tigers have a 2-1 record against the Bears (falling short in 2023). The point separating the teams across those three contests adds up to just five total points: 27-28 Pikeville in 2023, 34-33 Campbellsville in 2024, and 37-34 Campbellsville in 2025.
- Campbellsville returns to Finley Stadium for week four's game against the Thomas University Night Hawks. That kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 20.
Pikeville struck first on the game's opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. Campbellsville's offense answered on its first possession, driving into Bears' territory to set up a career-long 46-yard field goal from Colin Fratus, cutting the score to 7-3. The defense provided the next spark when defensive back Jerrod Johnson jumped a route, intercepted a pass, and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown, giving the Tigers a 9-7 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
The second quarter belonged to the visitors. Pikeville kicked two field goals to retake the lead at 13-9. With just 17 seconds left in the half, the Tigers drove 52 yards to set up a 39-yard field goal attempt. In a stunning turn of events, the kick was blocked and returned 64 yards for a Pikeville touchdown as the half expired, sending Campbellsville into the locker room facing a 20-9 deficit.
The Tigers emerged from halftime completely re-energized. On the second play of the third quarter, Jett Engle hit Roland Hazard Jr. for a 69-yard touchdown strike, trimming the lead to 20-16. After the defense forced a punt, the offense marched 64 yards, and Archelaus Smith plunged in from one yard out to give the Tigers a 23-20 lead. Campbellsville capped its 21-point quarter on its next possession, a five-play, 92-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Engle to Ashton Auker, making the score 30-20.
Pikeville fought back in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown to make it 30-27. After a missed field goal by the Bears, the Tigers took over with just under ten minutes to play. Engle orchestrated a masterful 10-play, 78-yard drive, converting a key third down with a 21-yard pass to Auker before finding Easton Barlow for an 18-yard touchdown to provide the winning margin at 37-27. The Bears scored with 28 seconds left, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Campbellsville, sealing the thrilling victory.
Engle had a clean and efficient night, completing 17 of 30 passes for 353 yards and three scores. His top targets were Hazard Jr. (3 catches, 121 yards, one TD) and Barlow (3 catches, 101 yards, one TD). Tre' Bass led the rushing attack with 83 yards on 11 carries. The defense was led by DQ Brown and Tyler Ballard, who each recorded eight tackles. Chase Maynard and Dawson Carson each registered a sack.
