LEBANON, Tenn. – Cumberland’s defense posted four sacks, two safeties, an interception and a fumble return and the offense rushed for 321 yards and five touchdowns, as the 18th-ranked Bulldogs finished the home schedule undefeated with a 45-7 victory Saturday over Belhaven University at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field.

Cumberland ends its regular season next week at the Univ. of the Cumberlands for a possible division title and NAIA playoff berth. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. CT in Williamsburg, Ky.

The Bulldogs (8-2, 4-1 Mid-South) allowed just 28 yards in the first three quarters, opening a 38-0 advantage on Senior Day.

Cody McCallister blocked a punt out of the end zone in the second quarter and Michael Hagewood tackled the Blazers (4-6, 1-5) punter in the end zone just before halftime, as the top-ranked CU defense put the clamps on another high-powered offense.

Ben Miller picked off a pass for the Bulldogs and Jeremy Hurford recovered a fumbled punt, both setting up short fields for the offense. Cumberland took advantage, with Lemeco Miller scoring twice, once rushing and once receiving, and five different players scored, including both quarterbacks – Curt Bureau and Christian Burnett. For her efforts Miller was named the Music City Star of the Game.

Cumberland ran 75 plays for 401 yards of total offense while Belhaven was limited to just 117 total yards and 50 offensive plays. The Bulldogs also held the ball for 37:07.

Cumberland wasted little time getting on the board, going six plays and 56 yards to open the contest. On 4th-and-3 Da’Juan Manning rushed six yards around left end for the score and a 7-0 CU advantage less than three minutes into the contest.

The Bulldogs forced a three-and-out and took its next possession for another score, covering 84 yards on 13 plays. A play-fake to Thomas Goodloe fooled the Blazers defense and left Bureau to run six yards untouched and a 14-0 Cumberland lead.

McCallister provided CU’s next score, blocking a punt out of the end zone three minutes into the second quarter. The Bulldogs took the free kick and turned it into another score, this time Lemeco Miller weaving his way 18 yards around right end and a 23-0 Cumberland advantage.

Late in the period the Bulldogs failed on a fourth down deep inside Belhaven territory, but on the ensuing possession BU punter Jacob Chancelor fumbled the snap in his own end zone and dropped the ball out of bounds as Hagewood made the tackle, giving CU a 25-0 lead at halftime.

Cumberland held the Blazers to just 15 yards of total offense on 21 plays while gaining 245 yards on 42 plays and holding the ball for 19:22 in the first half.

Another Belhaven miscue helped the Bulldogs on the first drive of the third quarter. Miller’s first career interception and 23-yard return set up CU at the Belhaven 19. The drive stalled and Jared White booted a 24-yard field goal but was roughed on the play. CU took over again and Bureau hit Lemeco Miller for a two-yard TD pass and a 32-0 advantage.

Cumberland scored again just before the end of the period after a short punt and return by Daniel Dayton. Christian Burnett faked the handoff and rushed left for 17 yards, stretching the ball over the pylon for the touchdown and a 38-0 lead.

Dayton set up the final score for the Bulldogs, returning a punt 53 yards to the Belhaven four yard line midway through the final period. Ervin Young punched in the touchdown.

Belhaven drove 70 yards on six plays on the next possession, with Kyle Henry catching a 35-yard pass and then a four-yard toss for the score.