Football 10/17/2025 3:07:00 PM

Phoenix Travel to Face No. 18 Georgetown in Mid-South Clash

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland football hits the road this weekend for a tough Mid-South Conference matchup, traveling to face No. 18 Georgetown College on Saturday afternoon in Georgetown, Kentucky. The Phoenix (4-2, 0-1 MSC) will look to bounce back after a narrow loss at Bethel, while the Tigers (4-2, 1-1 MSC) come off a 37-35 victory at Faulkner.

Cumberland has leaned on a balanced offensive attack through six games, averaging 309.7 yards per contest behind 175.8 rushing yards per game and 133.8 through the air. The Phoenix are scoring 24.8 points per game while allowing 26.5 defensively. Jake Parker will make his second straight start at quarterback after a strong showing last week, throwing for 238 yards and three touchdowns against Bethel.

The Phoenix backfield has been led by Jacob Cornejo with 438 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Rod Payne has added 177 yards and two scores. Through the air, Jarrius Rogers and Isaiah O'Neal have emerged as big-play threats, combining for over 460 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Both receivers are averaging over 30 yards per grab this season.

Defensively, the Phoenix have been anchored by junior defensive back Cannon Johnson, who leads the team with 42 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Chazz Hunter and Will Harris have combined for 61 stops and three forced fumbles, while Boston Follis has been a disruptive force up front with two sacks and three tackles for loss.

Cumberland enters the weekend allowing 335.7 yards per game and just 125.8 on the ground, ranking among the conference's better run defenses.

Georgetown enters the matchup ranked No. 18 in the NAIA, boasting a potent offense that averages 30.7 points and 378.2 yards per game. Senior quarterback Gehrig Slunaker has thrown for 964 yards and eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, with Clayton Davis (410 yards, 3 TD), Colin Bratcher (21 receptions, 284 yards), and Chandler Godby (247 yards, 5 TD) serving as his top targets.

On the ground, Gus Bailey leads the Tigers with 546 yards and five touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry.

The Tiger defense is holding opponents to 21.5 points per game and has tallied 11 sacks and three interceptions on the season, led by linebacker Darion Neal's 34 total tackles.

Georgetown has got four wins including one over a common opponent Pikeville. The Tigers beat UPike 34-17 in their first game of the season. Georgetown lost to No. 14 St. Thomas 26-7 in Miami Gardens as well as lost to No. 7 Lindsey Wilson at home 37-13 two weeks back.

Saturday's matchup features two teams built around physicality and ball control, with both squads averaging over 30 minutes of possession per game. Cumberland ranks 21st nationally in time of possession (31:56), while Georgetown's offense has thrived in the red zone, scoring on 91% of its trips.

Georgetown has historically dominated the series holding a 20-5 record over the Phoenix. Cumberland has never won on the road at Georgetown going 0-11 in Kentucky. The Tigers have also won the last nine meetings including a 14-9 win in Lebanon last season.

Kickoff between the Phoenix and Tigers is set for 12:30 p.m. CT from Toyota Stadium. The Cumberland Sports Network crew of Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will be on the call starting at noon on WANT FM 98.9.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

#46 Boston Follis: LB; 6' 0"; Senior

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

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

#82 Jarrius Rogers: WR; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#36 Chazz Hunter: LB; 5' 8"; Graduate Student

#24 Will Harris: LB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

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

Players Mentioned

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

#46 Boston Follis
: 6' 0"; Senior
: LB

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

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

#82 Jarrius Rogers
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: WR

#36 Chazz Hunter
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student
: LB

#24 Will Harris
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: LB

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