LEBANON, Tenn. – Cumberland’s defense allowed just 106 total yards and the Bulldogs rushed 57 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-6 victory over Faulkner Univ. Saturday afternoon at Lindsey Donnell Stadium.

 

The victory ended a three-game losing streak for Cumberland (2-4, 1-1 MSC), as the Bulldog defense posted a shutout. Faulkner’s only points came on an interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter.

 

Cumberland dominated possession of the football, posting 40:45 in time of possession and running 82 total offensive plays for 323 yards. Fullback Mitch McChurch rushed 15 times for 61 yards, while Da’Jaun Manning carried 14 times for 54 yards and one touchdown.

 

Ken Dixon also rushed four times for 54 yards, including a 45-yard scamper in the second quarter, and one score, while Kevin Smithson, the backup quarterback and a backup tight end until two weeks ago, carried five times for 29 yards.

 

Faulkner (1-5, 0-3) registered just five first downs and 106 total yards. The Bulldogs forced two turnovers, a fumble recovery by Stephon Ransom and an interception by freshman Cody McCallister.

 

CU quarterback Christian Burnett went 10-for-22 for 101 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

 

Cumberland scored on a 32-yard pass from Burnett to Ronez Harris late in the first quarter, with Harris catching the pass and breaking a tackle at the 10-yard line before heading into the end zone. Nick Sasser’s extra point was wide left, and CU led 6-0.

 

The Eagles’ Matt Fleck blocked a punt in the second quarter and Faulkner took over at the CU 14-yard line, but freshman Cody McCallister intercepted a pass at the one yard line on the first play of the drive and returned it to the Eagles 43.

 

The Bulldogs scored six plays later on a six-yard run by Dixon. Burnett hit Kenny Sallis with the two-point conversion for a 14-0 advantage.

 

Cumberland scored again just before the half, covering 57 yards on 10 plays, including a 45-yard scamper by Dixon. Manning swept around right end, getting into the end zone right at the pylon for a five-yard TD run just 31 seconds before the break. Sasser’s PAT was wide left again, and the Bulldogs took a 20-0 halftime edge.

 

Faulkner’s Q. Braswell got the Eagles on the scoreboard early in the third quarter, intercepting a Burnett pass, breaking several tackles before finding open turf for a 60-yard touchdown.

 

Faulkner tried an onside kick after the touchdown, but the ball did not travel 10 yards, setting up the Bulldogs in Eagles territory. CU covered only 23 yards but took 10 plays, and Sasser booted through a 28-yard field goal for a 23-6 lead for the final scoring of the contest.

 

Cumberland travels to UVA-Wise next Saturday for a 12:30 p.m. CT contest. The Bulldogs play their final home game of the season in two weeks against Belhaven College at 1:30 p.m.