MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The Bethel Wildcats host (RV) the University of the Cumberlands Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Walter Butler Stadium. It will be Homecoming for the Cats and Bethel fans. Kick-off is slated for 1:30 p.m.
The Catwalk begins at 11:45 a.m. in front of Crisp Arena. Gates will open at noon. 
It will be the MSC opener for the Wildcats.
The remaining games for Bethel will find the Cats playing all MSC teams either nationally ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll.
The Wildcats are 2-3 (0-0) while the Pats are 4-2 (0-1) on the year. Cumberlands has lost two games in a row, but those defeats were to at that time No.1 Keiser and No. 13 Campbellsville.        
Series: 
It will be the 14^th meeting in the series with Cumberlands holding a 7-6 advantage. UC won 34-10 last year in Williamsburg.  Bethel had won three in a row versus UC prior to that loss.
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Stats:
https://bethelathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Tickets:
https://fan.hudl.com/tickets/VGlja2V0ZWRFdmVudDZhNmI4MGYxZDU3NjM0ODBiODgyNTI1Yw==

Last Time Out:
(BU)
The Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak, defeating Faulkner 21-10 at Walter Butler Stadium on Carroll County Students & Families Day.
Terris Smith put the Wildcats on the board on their opening possession, breaking loose for a 35-yard touchdown on fourth-and-two. Zachary Clutch added the extra point for a 7-0 advantage with 12:24 remaining in the first quarter.
The score remained unchanged through halftime as Bethel's defense kept the Eagles out of the end zone.
Faulkner opened the second half with a lengthy drive, moving 73 yards in 15 plays before settling for Jacob Huff's 17-yard field goal. The kick trimmed Bethel's lead to 7-3 with 6:44 left in the third quarter.
The Wildcats answered with a seven-play, 86-yard touchdown drive. Jaylan Brown scored on a one-yard run, and Eli Burciaga's extra point pushed the margin to 14-3 with 3:46 remaining in the quarter.
Durrell Miller intercepted a Faulkner pass on the ensuing possession, setting up another Wildcat scoring drive. Silas Teat connected with Jamarion Dowdell for a 55-yard touchdown with 12:29 left in the fourth quarter. Burciaga added the extra point to make it 21-3.
Faulkner answered with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Leverette to Robin Harris with 9:13 remaining, but the Wildcats held the Eagles scoreless the rest of the way.
Dowdell led Bethel's offense with three receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown, adding 46 yards rushing. Smith carried 13 times for 76 yards and a score.
Brown completed eight of 18 passes for 108 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Teat finished five of nine for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Bethel outgained Faulkner 366-272, including a 171-88 advantage on the ground.
The Wildcats entered the game averaging just 57 yards per game in rushing.  
The Wildcat defense recorded seven sacks. Scottie Roddy Jr. led the unit with 12 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Tatum Oliver and Layne Vaughn collected nine tackles apiece, while Miller added eight stops and an interception. Deshawn Love recorded two sacks, and Justin Bruce broke up three passes.
Logan Miller averaged 43.9 yards on seven punts, placing three inside the Eagles' 20-yard line.
(UC)
The RV Patriots battled No. 13 Campbellsville throughout Saturday afternoon's Mid-South Conference opener but ultimately fell 33-26 at James H. Taylor, II Stadium. The Patriots overcame multiple deficits and tied the contest twice in the second half, but the Tigers held off a late UC rally to secure the victory.

Coaches:
Coach Chris Springer is in his second year as head coach of the Wildcats and is 6 -8 with the Cats.
Coach Shan Housekeeper is in his fifth season as head coach of the Pats.   He is 24-22 at UC.
Next Week & Upcoming Action: 
The Cats travel to Georgetown next Saturday to face the always tough Tigers.  Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Watch for details and a game preview later at www.bethelathletics.com
Did You Know?
Bethel averages 15.6 points per game and yields 24.0 per outing.
The Cats average 80.0 yards rushing and yield184.0 per contest.
The Wildcats average 186.0 passing per game and the opponents go up top for 168.2 per game.
The Cats average 34 percent in third down conversions while their opponents are averaging 40 percent against the Cats on third down attempts.
The Pats average 35.1 points and yield 30.6 per game.
Cumberlands rushes for 188.7 yards per outing and gives up 172.3 per game. 
The Patriots average 234.1 in the air and give up 221.6 per game. 
UC converts on 31 percent on third down attempts while their opponents average 36 percent.
(HOF)
Bethel University honored   four former athletic standouts and one distinguished contributor during the 2026 Bethel University Athletic Hall of Fame & Alumni Banquet Friday.
The event was held in the Boardroom of the Vera Low Center for Student Enrichment's Crisp Wing. The 2026 inductees comprised the 45^th class to enter the Bethel University Athletic Hall of Fame. Following this year's ceremony, six teams and 124 individuals have been enshrined since the Hall of Fame was established in 1980.
2026 Bethel University Athletic Hall of Fame Class

• Dr. Karlene Ellis – Women's Soccer (2007)
• Teena Carter Pitts, M.A.Ed. – Women's Basketball (2011; M.A.Ed. 2015)
• Larry Geraldi – Baseball (1973); Softball and Golf Coach (13 seasons)
• Deseray Washington Melton – Women's Track & Field (2014)
• Darrell Smith – Contributor (1964)

(Golf Scramble)
The Jerry Wilcoxson Memorial Golf Tournament honors the legacy of the late Dr. Jerry Wilcoxson during Bethel's homecoming week. Homecoming is a time for Wildcats from all over to come back home and celebrate years of students, faith, education, and community.
Friday was no different as the tournament was held at Carroll Lake.  Thanks to all who participated and all those who helped make the event another huge success.