LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland Football set to square off with Florida Memorial on Saturday seeking their first 4-0 start since the 2017 season. 

The Phoenix and Lions will meet for just the second time in program history. Cumberland won the first matchup between the two sides 19-7 back in 2021. Despite not many players being on the roster for both squads at the time of that game, there are a few that saw action. Nick Burge had seven carries for 44 yards as a COVID freshman and Josh Mimms, a freshman linebacker at the time for Florida Memorial, finished second on the team in tackles that game with nine. 

This is the second game of a four out of five game home set for the Phoenix. Cumberland picked up a big win over St. Andrews 41-6, however, the score does not tell the whole story of that game. Cumberland had some sloppy play at times posting four turnovers in the contest, two interceptions from quarterback Luke Holloway and lost two fumbles. That was the bad in the game, but there was a lot of good. Cumberland did not punt the ball one time in the game, a feat that Cumberland has accomplished now three times since the 2017 season. CU put up a season-high 491 yards of total offense. 

Cumberland had two backs go for over 100 yards in the game as Jeremiah Bryant carried the ball 15 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns and Jacob Cornejo made his debut in the backfield carrying the ball 17 times for 120 yards and his first collegiate touchdown. Bryant now has 254 yards on the season and five touchdowns. He is tied for third-best in the NAIA in rushing touchdowns alongside the feature back for Florida Memorial Walter Wilbon who has five scores in two games. 

The Phoenix have hung their hat on the run game for the last several years and this season they have the seventh-best running attack in the NAIA right now averaging 258.7 yards per game on the ground through the first three games. Despite what they do on the ground, Cumberland has been much more balanced this season throwing for 177.7 yards per game. Holloway has completed 71% of his passes and has five touchdowns throwing the ball. He has got 11 different receivers in the mix this season. Freshman Jarrius Rogers is the leading receiver with eight grabs for 133 yards and a pair of scores. 

Defensively, CU is holding their opponents to 16.0 points per game, 18th-best mark in the NAIA. The Phoenix also have the 18th-best mark in yards allowed per game, holding opponents to 239.7 yards. The defense will have their hands full with an athletic offensive squad out of Florida Memorial.

Last season, the Lions finished 6-4 and 5-2 in Sun Conference play. The team had a shot at the Sun Conference Championship when they hosted Keiser in the last game of the season. Keiser ended up beating Florida Memorial 44-13 in Miami Gardens on their way to the 2023 NAIA National Championship.

The Lions returned a good chunk of their roster from last season's squad including starting quarterback Cedquan Smith, running back Walter Wilbon, and wide receiver David Studstill. Wilbon was included on the Second Team All-Sun Conference list along with offensive lineman Justyn Mack, linebacker Daeshawn Davis, cornerback Devin Essix, and safety Darius Conley.

They have an explosive offense highlighted by running back Walter Wilbon. Wilbon started his career at Ohio University and this season has 29 carries for 295 yards and five touchdowns. He ran wild in week two against NCAA DII Edward Waters for 170 yards and four touchdowns earning Sun Conference Player of the Week honors. 

Smith controls the offense for the Lions. Last week, in a shortened game due to weather, Smith completed 19-of-21 passes for 284 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target this season has been senior wideout David Studstill. The two have connected for seven catches and 135 yards. The team also added this season Fresno State transfer Vallee Washington at receiver.

Florida Memorial has controlled the ball on the offensive end thus far not turning the ball over yet this season. The offensive line has done a good job keeping Smith upright as he is yet to be sacked this season. 

The Lions defense has given up an average of 24.5 points per game. Florida Memorial has been good at stopping the run, only giving up 51.5 yards on the ground per game. Linebackers Kareem Roberts, Josh Mimms, and Antwan Davis led the team in tackles heading into their third game. The team is yet to record a sack on the opponents this season and have forced two turnovers. 

Saturday's forecast shows that it will be a gorgeous sunny late September day. Gametime temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s-low 90s with a slight four mile per hour wind. 

The game will be live on the Cumberland Sports Network. Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will go on 30-minutes before kick-off at 1:00 p.m. on WANT FM 98.9, WCOR AM 1490, and the Cumberland Sports Network.