Phoenix Football Excited for Home Opener Against Reinhardt

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland opens up their home schedule with a top matchup in the NAIA this Saturday facing off with a tough Reinhardt team.

The Phoenix will look to get even on the season after facing a very tough FCS team, Tennessee Tech in week one. Cumberland and Reinhardt will meet for the fifth time in school history. Reinhardt was a part of the Mid-South Conference in football for several seasons over the last decade. Reinhardt has won the last three meetings including the last meeting in 2016 44-27 in Waleska.

The Phoenix will look to get the offense going this week against the Eagles. Tennessee Tech's defense held Cumberland to just 104 yards in the game. Zach Holtzclaw completed 6-of-15 passes. Jaylen Abston also spent a lot of time in the backfield leading the team in rushing last week.

Running back Jacob Cornejo carried the ball seven times for 27 yards. Kaiden Hatchett led the team in receiving with four catches and 23 yards.

Cannon Johnson led the team defensively with seven tackles, all solo, and a forced fumble. Will Harris added six tackles. Daniel Smith had two pass break ups and Shakyi Hannah and Keenan Hill each added one a piece.

Reinhardt comes into the game with a 1-0 record after beating Florida Memorial 49-35. The Eagles led throughout scoring two touchdowns in the first, second, and third quarter. The Eagles led by as much as 42-6 before the Lions stormed back to make it a one score game in the fourth quarter.

Reinhardt went for 428 yards of offense passing for 247 and rushing for 181. Quarterback Taylor Jackson was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Week after completing 15-of-27 passes for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Jah Colbert led the ground game with 12 carries for 74 yards. Ethan Rice had four carries and a touchdown and Jamarion Walker had nine carries and two scores. Walker and Colbert we're each named First Team All-AAC last year at running back.

Eight different receivers caught passes in the game for Reinhardt. Xavier Walker had the most receptions with three finishing with a touchdown. Jordan Ghant and Tyress McKey each caught two passes and had a touchdown.

McKey was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year, First Team All-AAC, and Third Team All-American as a returner. He is a weapon for the Eagles tying an NAIA-record last season with four kick-offs returned for a touchdown.

Adam Mweemba led the team in tackles last week with seven. He also recorded a sack and a forced fumble in the game. Emmanuel Olaitan added six tackles.

Kicker and Punter Alex Hanson was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Week last week after going a perfect 7-for-7 on PATs. He also punted six times for 210 yards and put four punts inside the 20.

The game will be live on the Cumberland Sports Network. Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will go on 30-minutes before kick-off at 5:30 p.m. on WANT FM 98.9, WCOR AM 1490, and the Cumberland Sports Network.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Kaiden Hatchett: WR; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#10 Zach Holtzclaw: QB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#8 Cannon Johnson: DB; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#29 Jacob Cornejo: RB; 6' 0"; Freshman

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

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

#7 Keenan Hill: DB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

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

Players Mentioned

#15 Kaiden Hatchett
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: WR

#10 Zach Holtzclaw
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: QB

#8 Cannon Johnson
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: DB

#29 Jacob Cornejo
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: RB

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

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

#7 Keenan Hill
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: DB

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