LEBANON, Tenn. – Reed Gurchiek rushed four yards for the score and Cumberland missed the extra point, but the Bulldog defense held on four plays, getting a sack in the sequence in defeating Belhaven University, 36-30, in overtime on Saturday at Nokes-Lasater Field.

The back-and-forth contest featured nearly 800 yards of offense between the two teams, several long, clock-eating drives as well as turnovers that the opponents turned into touchdowns. Belhaven scored with 21 seconds remaining in the game to force overtime, completing an 11-play, 82-yard drive, but that answered a 13-play, 75-yard march by the Bulldogs that gave CU the lead.

After the worst game of his career last week against the University of the Cumberlands, Gurchiek turned in perhaps the best performance of his career, rushing 19 times for a game-high 149 yards and the one touchdown. He also threw two scores, both to BJ Stewart, including a four-yard strike in the back of the end zone with 4:36 remaining to put the Bulldogs ahead, 30-23.

Belhaven took over at their own 18 after the ensuing kickoff and gained 13 yards on the first play plus a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty. From there the Blazers converted a 3rd-and-7 and then 6-foot-5, 235-pound quarterback Raymond Cotton sneaked in from outside the 1-yard line for the score. James Bryan’s extra point tied the contest.

In overtime the Bulldogs lost the toss and took five plays to score, with Gurchiek rushing on three, including the last one from four yards away. After making three field goals and three extra points in the game, Jared White pulled the PAT wide left, giving the Blazers a chance to win the game with a touchdown and the extra point.

But the Bulldog defense stiffened after a first down by the Blazers. Jarred Williams pulled down BU’s Kadero Edley for a five-yard loss and Tim McKee yanked Cotton to the ground on second down before pass knockdowns by Grant Jones and Josh Walker in the end zone ended the contest.

Cotton finished 14-of-23 for 163 yards and one score while rushing for 65 yards on 14 attempts. Edley led the Blazers on the ground with 23 carries for 137 yards and one touchdown.

Gurchiek was 11-for-19 passing for 149 yards with two scores, including the final one to Stewart where the 6-foot-5 tight end outjumped BU’s Craig McDonald in the back of the end zone.

The Blazers took the opening possession of the game and moved 51 yards before stalling out at the CU 10. Bryan booted a 41-yard field goal for an early lead for the visitors.

Late in the opening quarter the Bulldogs put together a 10-play, 93-yard drive that also fell short of the goal line and a 24-yard field goal from White tied the contest at three.

Belhaven took the lead again in the second period, with a 24-yard TD pass to Frederick Boggs capping a six-play, 85-yard drive. Cody McCallister just missed the interception on the play for the Bulldogs.

The Blazers were driving again later in the period before Adam Wiss forced a fumble by Justin Gaines at the CU 24. Allanté McLemore scooped up the loose ball and scampered 76 yards for the score, tying the game at 10 with 3:49 to play in the half.

Belhaven took the ensuing possession eight plays and 35 yards before another Bryan field goal, this one from 37 yards, gave the Blazers a 13-10 advantage at the half.

Cumberland’s opening drive of the third quarter resulted in another field goal, this one from 38 yards, the second-longest of White’s career, tying the game at 13.

Belhaven fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Bulldogs took advantage, going 30 yards on five plays before Gurchiek and Stewart hooked up for an 18-yard TD pass. After a Belhaven punt CU moved 37 yards on eight plays, ending with a 36-yard field goal by White for a 23-13 lead. At that point in the period the Bulldogs had outgained Belhaven, 121-5.

But the Blazers answered with a nine-play drive and Bryan booted a 51-yard field goal that nudged just over the crossbar against the wind. This time Cumberland made the miscue, with Lemeco Miller fumbling at the BU46. Belhaven took advantage, going 11 plays and 54 yards before Edley punched in the one-yard TD run, tying the game at 23 with 11:56 remaining and setting up the final fireworks.

Cumberland plays its next two games on the road – next week at UVA-Wise at 5 p.m. CT and September 29 at the University of Pikeville – before returning home October 6 for Homecoming against Union College.