MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Cumberland scored 23 points in the first half, including a 54-yard TD pass from Christian Burnett to Mike Moore 19 seconds before intermission, and then held on in the second half, making two defensive stands in the fourth quarter for a 23-17 victory for the Bulldogs over Bethel University here Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium.

Cumberland (6-2, 2-1 MidSouth) won the first half in almost every category in the first half, outgaining the Wildcats, 185-91. The Bulldogs scored on their first two possessions of the game and then again midway through the second quarter before Bethel pushed across a TD with less than a minute left in the half.

But Burnett hit Moore for the 54-yard score on the first play after the touchdown, giving CU a 23-7 lead at the break.

Bethel’s no-huddle offense dominated the second half, running 51 plays for 218 yards and holding the ball for almost 20 minutes. The Wildcats (2-5, 1-3) kicked a field goal to start the third quarter before both teams missed field goals.

Bethel finally was able to find some cracks in the fourth quarter, driving 61 yards on nine plays for a score. BU was helped by a pass interference penalty on 4th-and-2 at the Cumberland 43, keeping the drive alive.

CU stopped the Wildcats again but a horse collar tackle pushed the ball for the Bulldog 11, where Cordarious Mann rushed around left end for the touchdown, making it 23-17 with 4:48 to play.

Cumberland went 3-and-out for the third time in the second half, punting the ball back to Bethel, who took the ball at the BU 27 with 3:36 remaining. On 4th-and-5 Wildcat quarterback Will Masoud wanted to throw a screen to Mann but had to scramble around and eventually found Mann, who scrambled 24 yards to the CU 44.

CU’s Chris Miles blew up a draw play for a loss of eight on the next play and Masoud completed a short pass on second down. Cody McCallister broke up a deep cross before the Bulldogs sent the house on fourth down, forcing Masoud to throw the ball early to no one in particular down the field, sealing the victory for the Bulldogs.

Cumberland’s defense held Bethel to 309 yards of total offense, almost 150 yards below its average. The Bulldogs managed just 51 yards of total offense in the second half, but the defense made enough plays for the victory.

Burnett finished 7-of-11 for 100 yards and one touchdown. For her efforts Burnett was named the Music City Star of the Game. Lemeco Miller, Da’Juan Manning, Tim McCord and Adrian Baker all rushed seven or eight times for between 27 and 37 yards.

Masoud completed 15-of-32 passes for 188 yards and scrambled for 24 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Mann rushed 20 times for 63 yards and a score, while Josh Boyd carried 12 times for 32 yards.

The Bulldogs took the opening possession of the game and marched right down the field, covering 49 yards on five plays. Baker punched in the touchdown from six yards out, but the PAT was wide left and CU led 6-0 just 1:57 into the contest.

Cumberland took its next possession 49 yards on 12 plays, with Jared White booting a 28-yard field goal for a 9-0 Bulldog advantage with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter.

The CU defense forced the third punt of the half from Bethel midway through the second period, and BU kicker Brandon Reagan shanked the ball right, setting up the Bulldogs at the Bethel 40. Eight plays later Burnett sneaked in from one yard out, giving CU a 16-0 lead with 4:39 left in the half.

Bethel’s offense found some room to maneuver on its next possession, including a 25-yard completion to Jahron Reynolds. Masoud sneaked in on 4th-and-goal from inside the one yard line with just 34 seconds before intermission, but BU left too much time for Cumberland.

Cumberland plays its next two contests at home, starting next Saturday against Union College and again November 6 versus Belhaven University. Both games start at Noon at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field.