LEBANON, Tenn.- Cumberland committed a crucial turnover and had a punt blocked for a score as No. 11 University of the Cumberlands defeat the Phoenix, 26-8.

Cumberland (3-3, 1-2 MSC) offense was forced to throw the ball more times than they have all year as Rushin threw 33 passes in the game. The offense collected 256 yards of total offense with 174 yards through the air. The typically run heavy offense was held to 82 rushing yards after running for an average of 202 yards in their first five games this season. 

The Cumberland shut down the Patriots offense in the second half after giving up a couple long touchdowns in the first half. The Cumberlands offense was averaging 457 yards of offense and 49 points per game coming in, but the Phoenix forced two turnovers in the redzone and held the Patriots high octane offense to 271 yards and only 61 yards in the 2nd half.

Cumberlands quarterback Joseph Rushin completed 18-33 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown. Ian Hafner caught a career-high nine receptions for 73 yards. Shaw Niblett caught 3 passes for 51 yards including a 30 yard touchdown. 

Jon Carrothers led the Cumberland defense with 10 tackles. Tyler Martin-Miles added six tackles and one interception. Martin-Miles also had three pass break ups. Jace Capps added another sack to bring his total to 7.5 sacks on the season and also recovered one fumble.

Patriots running back Maritize Smith ran for two touchdowns on 23 carries for 137 yards. Quarterback Josiah Robbins completed only 9 passes on 21 attempts for 140 yards and one touchdown and one interception. Linebacker Tyler Pendleton was all over the field registering 14 total tackles the most on the game for either team. While Brad Montgomery blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown as well as recovering a fumble that led to a touchdown in the first quarter.

The Patriots opened up the scoring after Treylon Sheppard fumbled the ball on Cumberland's own 15 yard line. The Patriots Brad Montgomery recovered the fumble on the 10. Three rushing plays by Martize Smith, finished with a touchdown. The extra point was blocked by Ahmed Taylor.

Jace Capps recovered a Smith fumble in the second quarter to get the Phoenix going. However, the Patriots defense stepped up and forced the Phoenix to punt. Montgomery got loose and blocked Helman Garcia's punt. The ball ricocheted back into the endzone and Montgomery won the foot race for a touchdown. 

Next possession, the Phoenix went for it on 4th and 3, but could not convert. The second play of the Cumberlands drive Smith showed a burst of speed and ran for a 61 yard touchdown run right up the middle. The point after was missed to extend the Patriots lead to 19-0.

The next Patriots drive quarterback Josiah Robbins threw a 49 yard bomb to a wide open KJ Burton for 49 yards and another touchdown on the first play of the drive.

Cumberland got the ball moving in the second half through the air. Rushin found Shaw Niblett for a 30 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Cumberland committed 14 penalties in the game for 83 yards the most that Cumberland has been called for all season.

Cumberland will be at home next week for Homecoming against Bethel. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.