LEBANON, Tenn.– The wait is almost over as Phoenix Football will return to action for the 2024 season opener on the road at Missouri Baptist University.

The Phoenix are looking for a hot start for the 2024 season as they enter this season with some key starters returning at most positions on both sides of the football. 

Last season, the Phoenix had the sixth-best rushing attack in the NAIA rushing for 231.9 yards per game. Luke Holloway returns for his third season as the signal caller for the Phoenix. Holloway has accounted for 26 touchdowns over two seasons. 

Cumberland brought in graduate transfer running back Jeremiah Bryant who transferred from Missouri Valley where he was named First Team All-South Division. Bryant rushed for 1,789 and 25 touchdowns. He was also a threat in the passing game out of the backfield catching 70 passes for over 600 yards. CU also returns veteran offensive lineman Will Sanchez to protect Holloway's blindside.

The defense returns a lot of starters as well from last year's starting 11. A key piece to the Cumberland defense is defensive end Jalen Brown who has played in 33 games for the Phoenix since 2020. Brown has recorded 20.5 TFL's and 14 sacks for CU in his career. 

Cumberland also returns second year starter Dezman Wallace who had a very big year last year and was second in TFL's tallying 10. Wallace also recorded 4.5 sacks in his first season for the Phoenix. 

On the backend of the defense, CU returns redshirt Sophomore Derek Taylor who played in all 10 games last year. Taylor led the teams in interceptions with four on the season and recorded 44 tackles from the safety position. 

Missouri Baptist had a fairly balanced offense last season rushing for 188.9 yards per game while throwing for 208.0 per game. The Spartans return Quarterback Jordan Simpson who is coming off of a 1300 yard passing year with nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Simpson also rushed for 160 yards and four scores on the ground. 

The Spartan's lost their leading rusher Darius Morrison who rushed for 798 yards on 123 attempts. Morrison also added seven scores on the ground for MBU. They will expect junior Lionel  Banks to get the majority of the touches. They also lost their leading receiver who caught 44 passes for 704 yards and four touchdowns. 

On the defensive side of the ball the Spartans lost their leading tackler in 2023, Blake Kight who had 111 tackles, 8.5 TFL's, and 2 sacks. Kight was also named All-MSFA Midwest Second Team honoree. 
 
We should see the Spartans in a 4-3 base defense for most of the game. Missouri Baptist has experience in the front seven led by senior defensive lineman Rakweon Ramsey, Giovannoi Sanes, and Brady Davis and linebacker Nick Stepney. 

The game will be aired on WANT FM 98.9 with play-by-play commentator Christian Kapost and color commentator Bob Lea back for their third season together. Pregame coverage will begin at 12:30 p.m. central time. 

Missouri Baptist will provide a live stream for free on the Spartan Digital Network. Live stats will also be available for the game here.