Phoenix Host No. 6 Campbellsville for Homecoming and NAIA UEN Featured Game

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland football returns home to Nokes-Lasater Field on Saturday for Homecoming as the Phoenix host No. 6 Campbellsville in one of the NAIA UEN Featured Games of the Week. The matchup pits a Cumberland team looking to protect its home field against a Campbellsville squad in the midst of one of the best seasons in program history. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. in Lebanon.

Cumberland (4-3, 0-2 MSC) enters the weekend aiming to snap a two-game skid after falling in consecutive road contests to Bethel and No. 18 Georgetown. The Phoenix remain unbeaten at home this season behind a physical, run-first offense averaging 167.3 rushing yards per game. Junior running back Jacob Cornejo leads the way with 459 yards and five touchdowns, while Rod Payne has added 189 yards and two scores. Junior quarterback Jake Parker has thrown for 527 yards and three touchdowns, finding big-play targets Jarrius Rogers (320 yards, 2 TD) and Isaiah O'Neal (238 yards, 2 TD). Cumberland is averaging 316.3 yards and 23.1 points per game while holding opponents to just 323.1 total yards and 115.9 rushing yards per contest.

Defensively, Cannon Johnson anchors the Phoenix with 48 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks, while Chazz Hunter, Eli Denton, and Will Harris have combined for 95 stops, three sacks, and three forced fumbles. The unit ranks among the Mid-South's top run defenses and sits 19th nationally in time of possession at 32:20 per game.

Campbellsville (6-0, 2-0 MSC) has surged to No. 6 in the national rankings behind an offense averaging 41.7 points and 468.5 yards per game. Junior quarterback Jett Engle has been one of the top passers in the NAIA, throwing for 1,567 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 63% of his attempts. Senior running back Tre' Bass powers the Tiger ground game with 676 rushing yards, 273 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns. Campbellsville's offense has proven dynamic through the air as well, with Roland Hazard Jr. (392 yards, 3 TD) and Ashton Auker (182 yards, 2 TD) providing balance alongside tight end Jack Busey.

On defense, the Tigers are holding opponents to 24.7 points per game and an impressive 63.2 rushing yards, led by Chase Maynard with 32 tackles and four sacks. Linebacker Ellis Reed and defensive back CJ Cutliff have also been disruptive forces, combining for 53 tackles and three interceptions.

Saturday marks the 36th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Campbellsville holding a narrow 18-17 series lead. The Phoenix had won four straight from 2019 to 2022 before the Tigers claimed the last two matchups, including a 27-14 victory last season in Campbellsville. Cumberland is 10-8 all-time against the Tigers in Lebanon, with the last home win coming in 2022 when the Phoenix rolled to a 65-22 victory.

Homecoming festivities begin Saturday morning with Kentucky Dom and Justin Lee highlighting the tailgate. Kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT at Nokes-Lasater Field. Live coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. on WANT FM 98.9. With the game being an NAIA UEN Featured Game of the Week it will be aired on Urban Edge Network. Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will be on the call.

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Players Mentioned

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

#41 Eli Denton: LB; 6' 1"; Junior

#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

#41 Eli Denton
: 6' 1"; Junior
: 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