MONTGOMERY, Ala.--Jordan Parker returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown,
Jarrius Rogers hauled in two touchdown passes, and Cumberland's defense held Faulkner scoreless over the final three quarters in a 30-7 victory Saturday at Billy Hilyer Stadium.
Cumberland totaled 353 yards of offense, throwing for 249 yards and adding 104 on the ground. The Phoenix picked up 15 first downs and converted 5-of-16 third-down opportunities while forcing three turnovers.
Jake Parker completed 9-of-21 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing score. Rogers turned his two receptions into 103 yards and two touchdowns, scoring from 72 and 31 yards out. He also rushed for 25 yards and completed a 32-yard pass to Isaiah O'Neal. Jordan Cason paced the ground game with 55 yards on 21 carries, while Kaiden Hatchett added a 37-yard reception.
Lance Mathews led the Cumberland defense with nine tackles, followed by Eli Denton with six tackles and a forced fumble. Jeremy Willoughby recovered a fumble and recorded the Phoenix's lone sack, while Daniel Doegan and Peyton Hardway each intercepted a pass. Nolan Gottlied averaged 41.7 yards on nine punts, placing four inside the 20, and Jack Kantner converted all four extra-point attempts.
Faulkner finished with 210 yards of offense, managing 108 rushing yards and 102 through the air. The Eagles converted 6-of-17 third downs and held possession for 36:56, but Cumberland limited them to 3.3 yards per play.
Jordan Moultrie led Faulkner with 56 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Kamden Wellington completed 7-of-14 passes for 70 yards and an interception, while Seth Leebern finished 3-of-15 for 32 yards and an interception. Tomon Felton caught two passes for 37 yards, and Gage Mims added four receptions for 29 yards.
Cumberland struck just 14 seconds into the game when Jordan Parker fielded the opening kickoff at his own five-yard line and raced 95 yards for the touchdown. Kantner's extra point gave the Phoenix a quick 7-0 advantage.
Faulkner answered with a four-play, 67-yard touchdown drive. Moultrie broke loose for a 27-yard gain, and Wellington connected with Felton for 29 yards to set up Moultrie's four-yard scoring run with 9:39 remaining in the first quarter.
The Phoenix responded with a 75-yard touchdown march to regain the lead. Jake Parker found Hatchett for 37 yards and later connected with Rashod Daniel for 22 yards before taking it in himself from 10 yards out. Kantner's extra point put Cumberland ahead 14-7 with 3:07 left in the opening quarter.
Cumberland's defense produced two takeaways early in the second quarter. Denton forced a fumble that Willoughby recovered, and Doegan intercepted Wellington on Faulkner's ensuing possession following a Phoenix interception.
The Phoenix added two points with 5:44 remaining before halftime when a Faulkner snap ended in the Eagles' end zone for a safety. Cumberland carried a 16-7 lead into the break.
After the teams traded punts through much of the third quarter, Cumberland needed just one play to extend its advantage. Jake Parker connected with Rogers for a 72-yard touchdown with 4:38 remaining, pushing the lead to 23-7 following Kantner's extra point.
Faulkner missed a 54-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, and the Phoenix continued to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard. Cumberland later took over at the Faulkner 31 following a fourth-down stop, and Jake Parker immediately found Rogers for their second touchdown connection of the afternoon. The 31-yard strike made it 30-7 with 1:56 remaining.
Hardway intercepted Leebern on Faulkner's final possession, allowing Cumberland to run out the clock and finish the game with 23 unanswered points.
Cumberland has one more game on the schedule this season set to take on Bethel in the finale next Saturday.
