McKENZIE, Tenn. – Cumberland found trouble moving the ball in the second half as the Bulldogs managed only one first down after halftime and dropped their Mid-South Conference West Division opener to Bethel University with a 13-3 loss.

 

The Bulldogs (1-4, 0-1 MSC) gained just 48 yards in the second half and finished with 181 total yards in the contest. The CU defense held Bethel to only 313 total yards, but the Wildcats put together two scoring drives in the second half, both double-digit plays that resulted in a field goal and a touchdown.

 

Bethel’s Josh Boyd rushed 33 times for 143 yards and one touchdown, a five-yard score with less than two minutes remaining that put the game away for the Wildcats (1-4, 1-0). Bethel ran 51 times in the contest for 224 yards.

 

Cumberland freshman quarterback Christian Burnett drew his first career start after an injury last week to starter Curt Bureau, and the Bulldogs rushing and receiving leader, Travis Carter, left the game early in the second quarter with an injury and did not return.

 

Cumberland controlled the ball for almost 10 minutes in the first quarter, with the defense causing three 3-and-outs for Bethel. But the Bulldog offense mustered only one drive into scoring position, with Nick Sasser’s 30-yard field goal blocked late in the period.

 

After a short punt early in the second period, Bethel drive inside the Bulldog 20-yard line, but Justin Cox sacked Troy Watson, causing a fumble. Stephon Ransom picked up the fumble and returned it 29 yards, but the CU offense stalled again, though Sasser pinned the Wildcats at the 11-yard line.

 

No matter for Bethel, who put together an 11-play, 66-yard drive that stalled at the CU 23. Sean Fraser hit a 41-yard field goal with 1:18 remaining in the half.

 

The Bulldogs responded before the end of the period, with Burnett hitting Mitch Reynolds for a 25-yard completion. On the final play of the half, Sasser booted a 45-yard field goal through the uprights, tying the contest at three at intermission.

 

Bethel moved quickly down the field to open the second half, but Fraser hooked a 31-yarder, keeping the score tied at three.

 

But Fraser redeemed himself on the Wildcats next possession, capping a 12-play, 62-yard drive with a 28-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, giving the home team a 6-3 advantage.

 

Bethel milked the clock again on its next possession, running more than eight minutes off the scoreboard and adding the nail in the coffin with Boyd’s 5-yard touchdown with 1:41 left in the game. The score capped a 16-play, 83-yard drive.

 

Cumberland hosts Faulkner Univ. next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for Homecoming at Lindsey Donnell Stadium.