Football 10/10/2025 10:43:00 AM

Phoenix Open Mid-South Conference Play on the Road at Bethel

LEBANON, Tenn.--Riding a four-game winning streak, Cumberland football opens Mid-South Conference play this weekend with a road trip to McKenzie, Tenn., to take on Bethel University. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday inside Walter Butler Stadium.

The Phoenix (4-1) enter the matchup with momentum after stringing together four straight victories, including a forfeit win from Florida Memorial before the bye week. Cumberland has leaned on a physical ground game and a gritty defensive unit to overcome adversity early in the year and will now look to extend its success into conference play.

Bethel (2-2, 1-0 MSC) comes in with back-to-back wins after a challenging start to the season against teams receiving votes in the polls. The Wildcats fell to Mary Hardin-Baylor and had to forfeit on the road at Keiser to open the season but have rebounded with wins over Webber International and Faulkner, outscoring those two foes by a combined 54-14.

Cumberland's offensive identity has been clear through five games: control the clock, run the football, and limit mistakes. The Phoenix average 185.2 rushing yards per game, ranking 21st nationally, and have scored 10 touchdowns on the ground. Quarterback Jaylen Abston has been key to that success, rushing for 247 yards while also throwing for 199 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

With quarterback Zach Holtzclaw sidelined and Abston playing through injury, the Phoenix offense may continue to emphasize the run game, led by Jacob Cornejo (397 yards, 4 TD) and Rod Payne (143 yards, 2 TD). Jake Parker may also get some time as the signal caller in this game. Parker completed 3-of-8 passes for 49 yards and an interception after Abston went down against Florida Memorial.

Cumberland will be tested against one of the toughest defensive units in the conference. Bethel is allowing just 237.0 yards per game, the third-best mark in the NAIA, and has been dominant against the run, holding opponents to only 61.0 yards rushing per game. Linebacker Darrien Lewis leads the way with 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks, while the Wildcats' front seven has accounted for seven total sacks.

The Phoenix defense continues to set the tone. Cumberland allows 344.0 yards per game but has thrived in key moments, ranking among the national leaders in fumbles recovered (5) and sacks (12). Linebacker Cannon Johnson anchors the group with 38 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks, while Daniel Smith has been a playmaker in the secondary with one interception and five pass breakups.

The Phoenix have also found success in the red zone, scoring on 88% of trips while forcing multiple takeaways defensively. That opportunistic style helped Cumberland snap Bethel's three-game win streak in the series last fall with a 21-14 victory in Lebanon.

While Bethel's defense has been the story, the Wildcat offense has been efficient through the air behind quarterback Destin Chance. The senior has completed 62.5% of his passes for 770 yards and six touchdowns, spreading the ball to a deep receiving corps led by Jayden Pressey (22 rec., 236 yards, 3 TD) and Micah Jones (199 yards, 2 TD).

Cumberland's secondary, allowing 207.2 yards per game, will look to pressure Chance into mistakes, having thrown four interceptions this season. Bethel's offensive line has allowed seven sacks, something the Phoenix front hopes to exploit.

Special teams could play a pivotal role Saturday. Cumberland holds a +2 turnover margin on the year and averages over 21 yards per kickoff return. Both teams have been efficient in the kicking game — Bethel's Zach Clutch is perfect on field goals (3-for-3), while Cumberland's Jack Kantner has connected on 3-of-5 attempts and 14-of-16 PATs including a new career-long 31 yards.

The Phoenix will also look to clean up penalties after averaging 65.4 yards per game, compared to 44.0 for Bethel.

Saturday marks the 29th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Cumberland holding a 16-12 series lead. The Phoenix snapped a three-game skid in last year's contest, defeating a fourth-ranked Bethel squad 21-14 at home. The last 10 meetings have been closely contested, with each team winning five games and one matchup decided in overtime, a 62-55 CU win in 2016. Cumberland is 5-9 all-time in McKenzie, last winning there in the Spring 2021 season.

Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will be live on the Cumberland Sports Network starting at 1:00 p.m. on WANT FM 98.9. Vice President for Athletics Ron Pavan will be joining Bethel's Dave McCulley on the Wildcat's feed at halftime.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Jaylen Abston: QB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

#0 Jacob Cornejo: RB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#10 Zach Holtzclaw: QB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior

#8 Cannon Johnson: DB; 5' 8"; Junior

#17 Jack Kantner: K; 5' 11"; Junior

#2 Rod Payne: RB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#12 Jake Parker: QB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#6 Daniel Smith: DB; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Jaylen Abston
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: QB

#0 Jacob Cornejo
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: RB

#10 Zach Holtzclaw
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior
: QB

#8 Cannon Johnson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: DB

#17 Jack Kantner
: 5' 11"; Junior
: K

#2 Rod Payne
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: RB

#12 Jake Parker
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: QB

#6 Daniel Smith
: 5' 11"; Junior
: DB