Football 10/23/2026 1:42:00 PM

Phoenix Travel to No. 24 Cumberlands for 30th Meeting

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland football travels to Williamsburg, Ky., Saturday, October 24, for a Mid-South Conference matchup against No. 24 Cumberlands. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.

The Phoenix, who are receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, enter the contest at 4-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play following a 31-14 loss at Campbellsville. The Patriots stand at 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-South after picking up a 38-21 road victory over Bethel last Saturday.

Saturday marks the 30th all-time meeting between the programs. Cumberland claimed a 40-37 overtime victory in Lebanon last season and will look to earn another win in the series on the road. The Patriots lead the series 15-14 while the Phoenix have won three straight and six of the last 10 games. Cumberland is 5-10 in Williamsburg all-time.

The matchup features a Cumberland defense allowing 17.7 points and 241.6 yards per game against a Cumberlands offense averaging 35.6 points and 420.1 yards. The Phoenix have limited opponents to 111.7 rushing yards and 129.9 passing yards per contest while recording 15 sacks and eight interceptions.

Knox Watson leads Cumberland with 42 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Eli Denton follows with 37 stops, two sacks and an interception, while Lance Mathews has totaled 31 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a team-high 4.5 sacks. Cannon Johnson has added 30 tackles and shares the team lead with Daniel Doegan at two interceptions apiece.

Offensively, the Phoenix average 31.7 points and 355.1 yards per game, led by a rushing attack that ranks 16th nationally at 215.0 yards per contest. Jordan Cason paces the ground game with 459 yards and four touchdowns on 80 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. Jaylen Abston has added 308 yards and four scores, while Jake Parker has rushed for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Rashod Daniel leads the group with five rushing touchdowns to go with 224 yards.

Parker has completed 77-of-139 passes for 917 yards and five touchdowns. Kaiden Hatchett leads Cumberland with 22 receptions for 242 yards and two scores, followed by Jordan Parker with 15 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Jarrius Rogers has added nine receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown.

Cumberlands brings a balanced offensive attack into the meeting, averaging 195.7 rushing yards and 224.4 passing yards per game. The Patriots rank 25th nationally in total offense and 28th in scoring.

Quarterback Drew Gregg has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,354 yards and 13 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Michael Petty is his leading target with 26 receptions for 488 yards and four scores, while Cade Lamb has hauled in 20 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns. Skylar Adams adds 201 receiving yards, and Maddux McKinney has contributed 152 yards.

Jayden Clayton leads the Patriots on the ground with 527 yards and five touchdowns on 77 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. Juan Bullard has rushed for 391 yards and five scores, while Tanner Marsh has added 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Cumberlands allows 29.3 points and 397.7 yards per game, including 173.3 yards on the ground. JD DeRoche leads the Patriots with 51 tackles, followed by Ritt Tankersley with 50 tackles, six tackles for loss and an interception. Zander Curry has recorded 39 stops and eight tackles for loss, while Jaquon Hall leads the team with 3.5 sacks.

Ball security and discipline could play a key role Saturday. Cumberland owns a plus-three turnover margin compared to Cumberlands' minus-five mark. The Phoenix also average 29.9 penalty yards per game, while the Patriots average 85.4.

The Patriots have another scoring threat in the return game, where Ronye Watson has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and averages 41.8 yards per return. Kicker Khalil Arman has connected on 7-of-9 field goal attempts with a long of 47 yards.

Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will have the call on the road from James H. Taylor II, Stadium on WANT FM 98.9. Pre-game coverage will begin 30 minutes before kick-off.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Jaylen Abston: ATH; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#26 Rashod Daniel: RB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

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

#4 Daniel Doegan: DB; 5' 11"; Graduate Student

#3 Kaiden Hatchett: WR; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

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

#0 Lance Mathews: LB; 6' 1"; Graduate Student

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

#81 Jordan Parker: WR; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#2 Jarrius Rogers: WR; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Jaylen Abston
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: ATH

#26 Rashod Daniel
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: RB

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

#4 Daniel Doegan
: 5' 11"; Graduate Student
: DB

#3 Kaiden Hatchett
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: WR

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

#0 Lance Mathews
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student
: LB

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

#81 Jordan Parker
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: WR

#2 Jarrius Rogers
: 5' 11"; Junior
: WR