LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland football is geared up to host 23rd-ranked University of the Cumberlands Patriots for Homecoming on Saturday. 

This is the 27th meeting of the Battle of the Cumberlands. The Patriots lead the all-time series 15-11. The Patriots won the last meeting last season in Williamsburg 10-6 in a defensive battle. The year before Cumberland knocked off No. 21 Cumberlands 14-10 at home with a touchdown in the last minute of the game. 

The Phoenix are coming off a 34-16 conference loss to Campbellsville. The defense created turnovers in the game, but the offense had two interceptions and lost two fumbles to lose the turnover battle. The Phoenix are 2-0 when they have created more turnovers than they have lost and 0-2 when they have lost more turnovers. 

Cumberland is still racking up the rushing yards though with backs Treylon Sheppard and Nick Burge and quarterback Luke Holloway. The Phoenix are 15th in the NAIA in rushing yards with 965 this season. Sheppard has 418 yards, second-most in the Mid-South.   

The Patriots come in after the first loss of the season to No. 6 Bethel, 30-10. The Cumberlands are 4-1 ranked No. 23 in this week's NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll with wins over No. 22 Reinhardt, Pikeville, Kentucky Christian and Union. 

The Cumberlands rely heavily on sophomore transfer from Middle Tennessee State Darius James at running back. James this season has been a workhorse for the Patriots with 120 carries, fifth-most in the NAIA, for 529 yards, ninth-most, and four touchdowns. 

The Phoenix have the 14th best run-stopping defenses in the country this season giving up just 80.5 yards on the ground per game, so that matchup will be exciting to watch as it unfolds. 

Quarterback Jay Roberts has thrown for 658 yards this season. He is completing 46.8% of his passes at 52-for-111. He has thrown four touchdown passes and has five interceptions. 

Elijah Howard, James out of the backfield, and DK Edwards are his favorite targets. Howard has caught 12 passes for 195 yards and two scores. James has accumulated nine catches for 94 yards and a score and Edwards has eight receptions for 11 yards and a touchdown. 

Linebacker Damon Byrnes-Mitchell is a playmaker for the Patriots as he has accumulated national Player of the Week honors this season. He leads the team in tackles with 31 and has a team-high three interceptions. 

The Patriots defense as a whole is a strong unit with 10 interceptions and forcing five fumbles. They have held opponents to 15.2 points per game giving up 272.6 yards. 

A cold front is coming into Lebanon starting Friday evening that will really cool off the temperatures. The high for the day is slated in the mid-60s with it expected to get cooler as the day progresses.

Kick-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. central time. Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will bring you all the action on the Cumberland Sports Network and WANT FM 98.9 and WCOR AM 1490. 

The presentation of the Homecoming Court and announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen will be at halftime.