Football 10/13/2023 10:48:00 AM

Phoenix hit the road to take on No. 14 Georgetown

LEBANON, Tenn.--The Phoenix are set for a second-straight bout with a Top 25 opponent, this time on the road at No. 14 Georgetown at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

This is the 22nd time Georgetown and Cumberland are meeting this week. The Tigers lead the all-time series 17-to-4 and have won the last seven games between the two schools.

Last week, the Phoenix flourished during homecoming, knocking off No. 23 the University of the Cumberlands Patriots, 21-17. This week, Georgetown will host their annual homecoming game after downing undefeated No. 6 Bethel 52-24 on the road in McKenzie.

The Tigers suffered a tough loss to Reinhardt a couple of weeks prior, but bounced back with the huge win over last season's Mid-South Conference Champions in a big way. Jayson Hayes and Drew Rader were named the NAIA National Players of the Week for their efforts as Hayes had two pick-sixes and Rader was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra points, converted a 43-yard field goal and pinned the Wildcats inside the 20 three times punting.

The Georgetown offense is averaging 46.8 points per game with a run-heavy offense. Running back Darius Neal is their guy on the offensive end carrying the ball 59 times for 474 yards and Mid-South Conference best 10 touchdowns. The Tigers will also rotate in senior Isaiah Cobb and Reese Johnson for some carries.

Quarterback Gehrig Slunaker has completed 32-of-63 passes for 400 yards, right at 100 yards a game, with two touchdowns. Slunaker has made some mistakes throwing the ball though with six interceptions.

The Georgetown defense is allowing on average 283.3 yards per game and just 16.5 points per game. Senior linebacker Chad Holleran has been a staple for the Georgetown defense the last several years. Holleran leads the team in tackles with 33, an average of 8.7 per game. Jacob Brass is second on the team in tackles with 20.

This matchup lines up a lot like last week for the Phoenix. Two teams that feature run-heavy offenses and two good defenses at stopping the run.

The Cumberland defense has been up for the challenge all season. This year when the Phoenix have won the turnover battle, they have won the game. Cumberland is averaging 2.6 takeaways a game with seven interceptions and six fumbles recovered through five games.

Tennessee transfer Derek Taylor has picked off three passes in the last two games and is second on the team in tackles. Freshman cornerback Kion Threalkill has made it tough on opposing wideouts this season with two pass break ups. Freshman Joey Samples has been a force up front on the line with 26 tackles and 5.5 for a loss. Jalen Brown has picked up 4.5 sacks this season and 22 tackles on the edge. When Josh Jones makes his return that Phoenix front will be a force.

If the Phoenix can create turnovers and take care of the ball on the offensive end, they will give themselves a chance to do some damage against the No. 14 Tigers.

Offensively, Treylon Sheppard has looked as good as ever in his final season. The fifth year senior is one of the best backs in the NAIA with 564 yards on 87 rushes for a 6.5 average. Quarterback Luke Holloway has added another dynamic that defenses have to account for throwing for 458 yards and rushing for 307 and five scores. Nick Burge has also added 257 yards rushing to give the Phoenix 254.0 yards on the ground per game, sixth-best in the NAIA.

Special teams could play a big factor in this game. Both teams have guys that have been electric returning the ball this season. For the Phoenix, freshman Nate Stephens is averaging 23.9 yards per return on kickoffs and 16.0 yards per return on punts. The Tigers have a few guys that they get it done with. Dillon Warren has had four returns for 187 yards, an average of 46.8 yards per return. Chandler Godby has three returns for 136 yards and is averaging 15 yards per return on punts. LaDarion Montgomery also has one return for 98 yards to really push their average up to 39.5 on returns.

Field position will be key to this game. Taking over in plus territory and giving Georgetown long fields to work with will really help Cumberland's case on the road.

Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. eastern time/12:30 p.m. central time. Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will be on the call on the Cumberland Sports Network heard live on WANT FM 98.9, WCOR AM 1490, or at wantfm.com. Video will be provided by Georgetown via their youtube page.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Jalen Brown: DL; 6' 1"; Junior

#28 Nick Burge: RB; 5' 9"; Junior

#3 Luke Holloway: QB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

#96 Josh Jones: DL; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#40 Joey Samples: DL; 6' 0"; Freshman

#23 Treylon Sheppard: RB; 5' 9"; Senior

#9 Nate Stephens: WR; 5' 9"; Freshman

#19 Kion Threalkill: DB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#14 Derek Taylor: DB; 6' 5"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

#22 Jalen Brown
: 6' 1"; Junior
: DL

#28 Nick Burge
: 5' 9"; Junior
: RB

#3 Luke Holloway
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: QB

#96 Josh Jones
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: DL

#40 Joey Samples
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: DL

#23 Treylon Sheppard
: 5' 9"; Senior
: RB

#9 Nate Stephens
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: WR

#19 Kion Threalkill
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: DB

#14 Derek Taylor
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB