Football 10/30/2026 3:31:00 PM

Football set to Host No. 11 Lindsey Wilson on Halloween

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland returns home Saturday for a Mid-South Conference matchup against Lindsey Wilson, with both teams looking to strengthen their postseason position. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Nokes-Lasater Field.

The Phoenix enter the contest at 5-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play following a 48-21 road victory over Cumberlands. Lindsey Wilson carries a 6-2 record and an identical 1-1 conference mark into Lebanon after defeating Andrew College 76-0 last Saturday.

Saturday presents an opportunity for Cumberland to build its postseason résumé against a Lindsey Wilson team ranked No. 11 in the first NAIA National Selection Committee poll. The Blue Raiders also hold the No. 11 position in the Massey Ratings, while Cumberland checks in at No. 18. In the latest Football Performance Indicator rankings, Lindsey Wilson is tied for 13th and Cumberland is tied for 20th.

Cumberland's offense averages 33.8 points and 363.4 yards per game, with a rushing attack that ranks 15th nationally at 219.3 yards per contest. The Phoenix have scored 26 rushing touchdowns and feature four players with at least 248 yards on the ground.

Jordan Cason leads the group with 539 yards and four touchdowns on 98 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. Jaylen Abston has added 367 yards and five scores, while quarterback Jake Parker has rushed for 340 yards and five touchdowns. Rashod Daniel has contributed 248 yards and a team-leading six rushing touchdowns.

Parker has completed 87-of-151 passes for 1,043 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He enters Saturday following an efficient performance at Cumberlands, completing 10-of-12 passes for 126 yards and rushing for 64 yards and three touchdowns.

Kaiden Hatchett leads Cumberland's receiving corps with 25 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Parker has collected 15 receptions for 235 yards and two scores, while Jarrius Rogers has 11 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown.

The Phoenix have converted 47 percent of their third-down opportunities, ranking 12th nationally. That ability to extend possessions will be important against a Lindsey Wilson defense allowing opponents to convert just 23 percent of their third downs.

Cumberland's defense faces a balanced Blue Raider offense averaging 43.5 points per game, seventh in the NAIA, and 448.0 yards per contest, ranking 16th nationally. Lindsey Wilson averages 221.3 rushing yards and 226.8 passing yards per game.

Davontaye Saunders anchors the Blue Raiders' ground attack with 1,228 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 139 carries. Saunders averages 8.8 yards per attempt and 153.5 yards per game. Stevin Mack has added 273 yards and four touchdowns on 46 carries.

Quarterback Tate Rice has completed 91-of-169 passes for 1,568 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. Pryor Lamb has also contributed through the air, throwing for 244 yards and five touchdowns.

Rice's top target, Max Gainey, enters Saturday coming off NAIA Offensive Player of the Week honors. Gainey caught seven passes for 164 yards and a program-record five touchdowns against Andrew, with all five scores coming in the first half. His third touchdown reception established a new program single-season record, and he now has 16 receiving touchdowns this fall.

Gainey leads Lindsey Wilson with 43 receptions for 937 yards, averaging 21.79 yards per catch. Malik Hicks provides another big-play option with 16 catches for 320 yards and two touchdowns.

Cumberland has allowed 18.1 points and 236.1 yards per game, including just 130.3 passing yards per contest. The Phoenix have recorded 22 sacks and eight interceptions, with their ability to pressure Rice and limit explosive plays presenting a key factor Saturday.

Lance Mathews has provided a disruptive presence in recent weeks, recording 5.5 sacks over the last two games. He finished the victory at Cumberlands with five tackles, three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, accounting for 23 yards lost to earn Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Lindsey Wilson has been equally effective defensively, surrendering 15.1 points and 259.5 yards per game. The Blue Raiders have limited opponents to 94.1 rushing yards per contest and 2.9 yards per carry.

Jamahl Gentry leads Lindsey Wilson with 32 tackles, while Howie Gant and Kelson McKinney have each recorded 31 stops. Jayden Walker leads the secondary with four interceptions, and Braden Ford has registered 3.5 sacks.

Both teams enter with positive turnover margins. Cumberland has forced 14 turnovers while committing 10 for a plus-four margin. Lindsey Wilson has generated 16 takeaways, including 12 interceptions, against 13 turnovers for a plus-three margin.

Saturday marks the 15th meeting between the programs. Lindsey Wilson leads the all-time series 10-4 and has won the last seven matchups, including a 56-37 victory in Columbia last season. Cumberland's most recent win in the series came in 2018, when the Phoenix earned a 24-21 home victory. The last meeting in Lebanon was decided by three points, with Lindsey Wilson prevailing 20-17 in 2024.

Fans can watch Saturday's game on the Cumberland Sports Network. Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will have the radio call on WANT FM 98.9 and WCOR AM 1490. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#28 Jordan Cason: RB; 5' 8"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#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

#28 Jordan Cason
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student
: RB