Football 9/11/2026 11:03:00 AM

Football Heads to Florida for Ave Maria Matchup

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland returns to action following a bye week as the Phoenix travel to Ave Maria, Florida, to take on Ave Maria University on Saturday evening.

Both teams enter the matchup looking for their first win of the season after opening against nationally recognized opponents. Cumberland fell to No. 16 St. Thomas, 27-6, on Aug. 27, while Ave Maria dropped its season opener at Lindsey Wilson, 52-6, last Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time at Gyrene Field.

The Phoenix defense kept Cumberland within striking distance against St. Thomas, holding the Bobcats to 314 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers. Cumberland limited a St. Thomas passing attack that averaged 264.4 yards per game last season to 133 yards through the air.

The Phoenix offense finished with 140 total yards while controlling possession for 32 minutes and 16 seconds. Cumberland picked up 13 first downs and committed just two penalties in the opener.

Jake Parker completed 13-of-28 passes for 134 yards. Kaiden Hatchett led the receiving corps with five catches for 47 yards, while Zavian Parker hauled in a 30-yard reception.

Jaylen Abston led Cumberland on the ground with 46 yards on 11 attempts and added two receptions for 28 yards. Rashod Daniel carried five times for 16 yards.

Cumberland's defense produced several disruptive plays against the Bobcats, finishing with eight tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Lance Mathews led the Phoenix with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Eli Denton added six stops, one sack and a pass breakup, while Tavarius Pitts recorded five tackles, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Knox Watson and Josh Jones each finished with five tackles. Tyriq Edwards added four stops, broke up three passes and recovered a fumble for the Phoenix.

Ave Maria was limited to 153 yards of offense in its opener at Lindsey Wilson. The Gyrenes rushed for 52 yards and passed for 101 while converting one of their 11 third-down attempts.

Quarterback Joseph Thole completed 9-of-21 passes for 101 yards with one interception. He also carried five times for 21 yards. Javien Durham led the Gyrenes' rushing attack with 29 yards on five attempts, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

Wide receiver Welsey From provided Ave Maria's biggest offensive play with a 50-yard reception. Running back Reggie McBride caught a team-high four passes for 29 yards and rushed six times for 11 yards.

The Gyrenes' scored on two field goals from Jake Matigian from 30-yards and 39-yards out.

Sean Battle led the Gyrenes in tackles with eight and also forced a fumble. Marco Casci followed with six tackles and half a tackle for loss. Gregory Thomas III recorded four tackles and Ave Maria's only sack, while Justin Jean-Louis added three tackles and one stop behind the line of scrimmage.

Ave Maria will be playing its home opener after beginning the season on the road. The Gyrenes went 3-7 last season, including a 2-3 record at Gyrene Field.

Saturday will be the third meeting between the programs. Cumberland holds a 2-0 record and won last year's matchup, 55-7, last season at Nokes-Lasater Field. The Phoenix rushed for 382 yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground in the victory. Cumberland finished putting up 550 yards of total offense.

The current forecast calls for rainy conditions in Ave Maria, with temperatures around the low 80s. There is a chance for scattered thunderstorms early afternoon up until about kickoff with rain chances at around 30% throughout the game.

Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Central Time and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Live video and live statistics will be available through Ave Maria Athletics. Christian Kaposy and Bob Lea will be there for the call. Radio coverage will be carried on WANT FM 98.9 and WCOR AM 1490 and will begin 30 minutes before kick-off.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#33 Tyriq Edwards: DB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

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

#96 Josh Jones: DL; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

#25 Lance Mathews: LB; 6' 1"; Senior

#35 Knox Watson: LB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#26 Rashod Daniel: RB; 5' 10"; Freshman

#40 Tavarius Pitts: DL; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

#33 Tyriq Edwards
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB

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

#96 Josh Jones
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: DL

#25 Lance Mathews
: 6' 1"; Senior
: LB

#35 Knox Watson
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: LB

#26 Rashod Daniel
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: RB

#40 Tavarius Pitts
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: DL

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