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Phoenix Football Receive Votes in Seventh-Straight Poll

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland Football continues to hold a place earning votes for the seventh consecutive week in the Netting Professionals NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released Monday afternoon by the national office.

The Phoenix (6-3, 2-2 Mid-South) collected 62 voting points in this week's poll after edging Cumberlands (Ky.) in a 40-37 shootout last Saturday to win their second straight game. 

Cumberland is one of six Mid-South programs featured in the national rankings. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is the highest-ranked team in the Mid-South at No. 9.  Campbellsville (Ky.) is next at No. 11.  Georgetown (Ky.) dropped five spots after losing to Bethel to No. 21. The Phoenix are the first team out of the Top 25 in the receiving votes category. Bethel earned 46 votes and the University of the Cumberlands earned five votes. 

Nationally, Grand View (Iowa) remained the No. 1 team for the eighth consecutive week, followed closely by Keiser (Fla.), which earned two first-place votes to stay at No. 2. Benedictine (Kan.), Friends (Kan.), and Montana Tech rounded out the top five.

Cumberland enters the final stretch of the regular season riding an improving offense and a defense that has found its rhythm. The Phoenix average 360.2 yards per game, including 187.7 rushing yards, ranking 19th nationally, and 172.6 passing yards. The team is scoring 26.3 points per game, its highest offensive clip since 2021.

Defensively, the Phoenix have allowed just 105.3 rushing yards per game, good for 24th in the NAIA, while recording 16 sacks and 12 takeaways through nine contests. The unit has also thrived on third down, holding opponents to a 36% conversion rate, and ranks among the top 40 nationally in time of possession (31:18).

Special teams have been equally reliable, as Cumberland ranks 10th in the nation in field goals made (9) and 17th in field goal percentage (81.8%), while kicker Jack Kantner has been one of the NAIA's most consistent performers this fall.

The Phoenix have a big test on Saturday as CU travels to No. 9 Lindsey Wilson. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. in Columbia. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jack Kantner

#17 Jack Kantner

K
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Jack Kantner

#17 Jack Kantner

5' 11"
Junior
K