Cumberlands Controls Early-Wildcats Fall on the Road, 34–10
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - The Bethel Wildcats couldn't find their rhythm on Saturday night, falling 34–10 to the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.
The Patriots set the tone from their first possession. Running back Juan Bullard Jr. capped off a 74-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. Bullard struck again just minutes later, punching it in from nine yards out to give Cumberlands a 13–0 lead after one period.
Bethel's offense struggled to find traction early, mustering just 43 total yards in the opening quarter.
Clutch Field Goal Gets Bethel on the Board
Early in the second quarter, the Wildcats put together their best drive of the half — a 10-play, 39-yard march — that ended with a 41-yard field goal by Zachary Clutch, cutting the deficit to 13–3.
Cumberlands answered, however, as quarterback Drew Gregg connected with Eli Davis on a 1-yard touchdown pass to push the Patriots' advantage to 20–3 heading into the locker room.
Second-Half Surge Keeps Patriots in Command
The Patriots kept their foot on the gas in the third quarter. Gregg hit DK Edwards on an 11-yard strike to make it 27–3 before Bethel finally found the end zone.
The Wildcats' lone touchdown came from Jordan Cason, who finished off a 12-play, 64-yard drive with a two-yard scoring run midway through the quarter. Cason led Bethel's ground attack with 13 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Jarvis Stockton added 38 yards on the ground.
Cumberlands responded once again, with Bullard scoring his third touchdown of the game — this one from seven yards out — to extend the lead to 34–10.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter as the Patriots' defense closed out the win.
Stat Leaders
Bethel was held to 262 total yards — 150 through the air and 112 on the ground — compared to 413 yards for Cumberlands. The Patriots dominated time of possession (35:46 to 24:14) and converted 8 of 15 third downs, while Bethel managed just 3 of 15.
Quarterback Destin Chance went 15-for-36 for 150 yards with one interception. Micah Jones led Bethel receivers with seven catches for 60 yards, followed by Jayden Pressey with three grabs for 38.
Defensively, Brandon Hall (seven tackles) and Malik Brown (seven tackles, one sack) paced the Wildcats. Bethel's defense recorded three sacks, with contributions from Brown, TJ Hart, and Amari Chapman.
For Cumberlands, Bullard totaled 66 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Jayden Clayton ran for 102 yards on just 11 carries. Gregg completed 11 of 18 passes for 198 yards and two scores.
Coach's Take
Bethel coach Chris Springer praised his team's effort but acknowledged the need for more consistency.
"We just didn't execute the way we needed to against a good football team," Springer said. "Cumberlands controlled the line of scrimmage and kept our offense off balance. We've got to respond, learn from it, and get back to playing Bethel football."
Up Next
Bethel returns home next Saturday for a key conference matchup against Georgetown College for Homecoming, looking to bounce back and regain momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
By Derrick Hubble