MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Bethel struck first and held an early second-quarter lead, but the University of the Cumberlands scored 31 unanswered points to defeat the Wildcats 38–21 Saturday afternoon at Walter Butler Stadium.
The Homecoming loss dropped Bethel to 2–4 overall and 0–1 in the Mid-South Conference. The Patriots improved to 5–2 and 1–1.
The Wildcats needed just two plays to reach the end zone on their opening possession. Jamarion Dowdell broke loose for a 55-yard touchdown run, and Eli Burciaga's extra point gave Bethel a 7–0 advantage with 14:21 remaining in the first quarter.
Cumberlands answered less than a minute later when Jayden Clayton raced 69 yards for a touchdown to tie the contest at 7–7.
Bethel regained the lead early in the second quarter. Terris Smith capped a three-play, 68-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown run, putting the Wildcats ahead 14–7 with 13:02 left before halftime.
The Patriots responded with an 87-yard scoring march, finishing with Michael Petty's 11-yard touchdown run to even the score. Cole Ruehling added a 31-yard field goal with six minutes remaining in the half, giving Cumberlands its first lead at 17–14.
Drew Gregg then connected with Clayton on a three-yard touchdown pass with 1:15 remaining, sending the Patriots into halftime ahead 24–14.
Cumberlands extended its advantage on the opening kickoff of the second half as Ronye Watson returned the kick 73 yards for a touchdown. The Patriots added another score four seconds into the fourth quarter when Gregg found Petty for a three-yard touchdown pass, completing a 10-play, 56-yard drive for a 38–14 lead.
The Wildcats closed the scoring with a 10-play, 98-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. Silas Teat connected with Micah Jones for a 34-yard scoring strike with two minutes remaining, and Burciaga's third extra point provided the final margin.
Teat finished with 241 passing yards, while Jones led Bethel's receiving corps with 97 yards. Dowdell paced the Wildcats on the ground with 79 yards.
Clayton led Cumberlands with 169 rushing yards and scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Gregg passed for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while Petty totaled 90 receiving yards and also scored on the ground and through the air.
The Wildcats travel to Georgetown on Saturday to battle the Tigers at 12:30 p.m. CT.