LEBANON, Tenn. - - Cumberland returns home Saturday for its second home game of the 2026 season as the Phoenix welcome RV University of Pikeville to Nokes-Lasater Field.

The Phoenix enter the contest at 1-1 following a 31-10 victory at Ave Maria last Saturday, while Pikeville comes to Lebanon with a 2-1 record after defeating Andrew College, 42-7, last weekend.

Cumberland's defense turned in one of its strongest performances of the young season against Ave Maria, holding the Gyrenes to just 205 yards of total offense and 19 rushing yards. The Phoenix also forced three turnovers, including two fumbles and an interception.

Knox Watson led the defensive effort with nine tackles, including three tackles for loss, and forced a fumble. His performance earned him Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, the first weekly conference award of his career.
Cumberland held Ave Maria scoreless through the first half while building a 21-0 advantage. The Phoenix opened the scoring on a 25-yard touchdown run from Jordan Cason before Jake Parker connected with Kaiden Hatchett for touchdowns of 11 and 10 yards.

The Phoenix finished with 411 yards of total offense, including 266 yards on the ground. Cumberland averaged 5.3 yards per rushing attempt while recording 22 first downs.

Parker completed 14-of-24 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns while also leading Cumberland on the ground with 101 yards on 11 carries. Jaylen Abston added 66 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts, while Cason rushed for 66 yards and a score.

Hatchett finished with the two touchdown receptions, while Jordan Parker provided Cumberland's longest reception of the night with a 32-yard catch.

The Phoenix will face a Pikeville offense that has produced 334.3 yards per game through its first three contests. The Bears are averaging 35.7 points per game, with 209.7 passing yards and 124.7 rushing yards per contest.

Pikeville opened the season with a 51-7 victory at Arkansas Baptist, totaling 357 yards of offense. The Bears followed with a 27-14 loss to Campbellsville before bouncing back last Saturday with a 42-7 victory over Andrew College.
Against Andrew, Pikeville produced 384 yards of total offense, including 260 through the air and 124 on the ground. The Bears completed 27-of-48 passes and scored five passing touchdowns.

Freshman quarterback Caden Henson has guided Pikeville's offense over the past two games. Against Andrew, Henson completed 22-of-37 passes for 218 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown. Deajuan McDougle was Henson's leading target against Andrew, catching eight passes for 92 yards. Ty Perkins added four receptions for 39 yards and two touchdowns, while Grant Scott and Demarcus Calhoun also caught touchdown passes in the victory.

The Bears' rushing attack is led by Amon Williams, who has been a consistent part of the Pikeville offense dating back to last season. Pikeville also has received production from Jayden Pepper.

The matchup also renews a series that produced a memorable comeback for the Phoenix last season. Cumberland defeated Pikeville, 21-17, on Sept. 20, 2025, in Pikeville after trailing 17-0 early in the third quarter. The Bears led 10-0 at halftime before Cumberland scored 21 unanswered points in the second half.

Cumberland was outgained 312-261 in last year's meeting, with Pikeville throwing for 271 yards while Cumberland finished with 92 rushing yards and 169 passing yards. Pikeville also controlled the clock for 35:53 compared to Cumberland's 24:07.
The Phoenix made several key plays on special teams and defense during the comeback. Cannon Johnson returned a blocked punt three yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-14, while a 56-yard fumble return by Chazz Hunter set Cumberland up at the Pikeville three-yard line. Jacob Cornejo scored on the following play to give the Phoenix their first lead of the afternoon.

Cumberland's offense was led by Cornejo, who rushed for 65 yards and the go-ahead touchdown, while Isaiah O'Neal caught four passes for 96 yards and a 66-yard touchdown. Jaylen Abston also contributed 14 rushing yards and threw the touchdown pass to O'Neal.

Pikeville quarterback Xavier Malone completed 31-of-41 passes for 271 yards in last year's matchup. Amon Williams rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown while also catching eight passes for 51 yards.

Saturday marks the 17th meeting between the programs. Cumberland won last year's meeting in Pikeville and currently leads the series 8-7, according to Pikeville's official series history.

The matchup will also mark Cumberland's second home game of the 2026 campaign. The Phoenix opened the season at home against No. 16 St. Thomas before traveling to Ave Maria, and Saturday begins a stretch of three consecutive home games for Cumberland.

Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Central Time at Nokes-Lasater Field. Live video and live statistics will be available through Cumberland Athletics. Radio coverage will be carried on WANT FM 98.9 and WCOR AM 1490.