Mathews Named MSC Defensive Player of the Week After Three-Sack Performance

LEBANON, Tenn. – Cumberland senior linebacker Lance Mathews earned Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping lead the Phoenix to a 48-21 road victory over No. 24 Cumberlands on Saturday in Williamsburg, Ky.

Mathews recorded five total tackles, including four solo stops, while delivering a disruptive performance in the Patriots' backfield. The Nashville, Tenn., native finished with three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, accounting for 23 yards lost.

Three of his four solo tackles were sacks as Mathews consistently pressured the Cumberlands passing attack. His 3.5 tackles for loss represented more than half of his total stops, helping Cumberland put the Patriots behind the chains throughout the contest.

The performance continued a productive stretch for the senior, who has recorded 5.5 sacks over the last two weeks. Mathews followed a 2.5-sack outing the previous week at Campbellsville with three more against Cumberlands, providing a steady presence in the opposing backfield. On the season he has 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss.

His efforts helped the Phoenix secure the 27-point victory while limiting the Patriots to 21 points. Cumberland scored 48 points on the road to complement Mathews' standout defensive performance.

Mathews is the fourth Phoenix to earn Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors this season joining Knox Watson, Tyriq Edwards, and Cannon Johnson.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Tyriq Edwards: DB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

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

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

#35 Knox Watson: LB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#7 Tyriq Edwards
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DB

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

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

#35 Knox Watson
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior
: LB