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Cumberland University

Daniel Smith
24
Cumberland (TN) CU 4-2 , 0-1
28
Winner Bethel (TN) BETHEL 3-2 , 2-0
Cumberland (TN) CU
4-2 , 0-1
24
Final
28
Bethel (TN) BETHEL
3-2 , 2-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
CU Cumberland (TN) 0 14 3 7 24
BETHEL Bethel (TN) 0 7 7 14 28

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at Georgetown College (Ky.)

10/18/2025 | 12:30 PM

WANT FM 98.9/WCOR AM 1490

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Full Schedule
Oct. 18 (Sat) / 12:30 PM
at Georgetown College (Ky.)
History

Game Recap: Football |

Cumberland Loses Late Lead in Heartbreaker at Bethel

McKENZIE, Tenn.--Cumberland football saw a 10-point fourth-quarter lead slip away Saturday afternoon, falling 28-24 to Bethel University in a Mid-South Conference matchup at Walter Butler Stadium.

The Phoenix (4-2, 0-1 MSC) held a 24-14 advantage early in the final quarter but couldn't hold off a furious Wildcat rally as Bethel (3-2, 2-0 MSC) scored two touchdowns in a four-minute span to steal the victory.

Cumberland struck first early in the second quarter when quarterback Jake Parker connected with Jarrius Rogers for a 79-yard touchdown on just the third play of the drive to put CU up 7-0. Bethel responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by a two-yard rushing score from Jordan Cason to even things at 7-7. Parker and the Phoenix answered right back, marching 80 yards down the field before Parker found Kaiden Hatchett from 38 yards out to make it 14-7 at the break.

After Bethel tied it early in the third with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Destin Chance to Ray Harvey, Cumberland regained the lead as Jack Kantner knocked through a 29-yard field goal to make it 17-14 heading to the fourth. The Phoenix appeared in control after Parker threw his third touchdown pass of the day, a 16-yard strike to Isaiah O'Neal,that stretched the lead to 24-14 with 14:07 remaining.

However, momentum swung quickly. On the ensuing drive, Cason broke free for a 33-yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to three, and after a CU three-and-out, Chance connected with Harvey again, this time from 20 yards out, to give Bethel its first lead of the day at 28-24 with 9:43 left.

Cumberland had one final chance late. The Phoenix got a big three and out that they needed. The first play of the drive, Parker threw a bomb to Rogers to set the Phoenix up in great field position. The Phoenix were stopped on downs at the Wildcat six-yard line with just under two minutes remaining. Bethel was able to run the clock out after a defensive pass interference call on third down. 

Parker finished 10-for-21 through the air for 238 yards and three touchdowns, while Rogers led all receivers with 131 yards on two catches. The CU offense totaled 367 yards (129 rushing, 238 passing) and controlled possession for over 38 minutes but could not capitalize on late opportunities.

Defensively, Chazz Hunter led Cumberland with seven tackles, while Eli Denton and Josh Jones each recorded a sack.

Cumberland will look to bounce back next week as the Phoenix complete a four-game road swing at No. 19 Georgetown.
 
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Players Mentioned

Eli Denton

#41 Eli Denton

LB
6' 1"
Junior
Kaiden Hatchett

#3 Kaiden Hatchett

WR
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
Josh Jones

#96 Josh Jones

DL
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Jack Kantner

#17 Jack Kantner

K
5' 11"
Junior
Jarrius Rogers

#82 Jarrius Rogers

WR
5' 11"
Sophomore
Chazz Hunter

#36 Chazz Hunter

LB
5' 8"
Graduate Student
Jake Parker

#12 Jake Parker

QB
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Eli Denton

#41 Eli Denton

6' 1"
Junior
LB
Kaiden Hatchett

#3 Kaiden Hatchett

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
WR
Josh Jones

#96 Josh Jones

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
DL
Jack Kantner

#17 Jack Kantner

5' 11"
Junior
K
Jarrius Rogers

#82 Jarrius Rogers

5' 11"
Sophomore
WR
Chazz Hunter

#36 Chazz Hunter

5' 8"
Graduate Student
LB
Jake Parker

#12 Jake Parker

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
QB