University of the Cumberlands Football
2005 Season Preview

Coming off a remarkable 2004 season that landed the University of the Cumberlands football team as high as 12th in the NAIA National Poll and a record of 8-3 after a solid 2003 season with a record of 8-2, the future continues to look bright for the Patriots. Head Coach Chuck King, now entering his 5th season at the helm, and the rest of the coaching staff have really gotten the program turned around into a NAIA play-off and championship team. Many have been skeptical with King’s hard nose option offense, but the Patriots proved they were up to the challenge as they finished ranked number one in the NAIA for rushing. The 2005 Patriots are looking to make even more noise and break through all barriers as they look to take over the Mid-South Conference.

The Patriots will miss their nineteen seniors who were lost to graduation, but look to continue to be strong with an extremely talented returning class and a group of newcomers who have the ability to take the Patriots to the top. The loss of All-American’s Ben Beeler and Dustin Huffaker will be hard to replace, but there are many capable and ready to step up and pursue the football to the next level. The improvement continues to be seen and King and his staff expect even more this season. The Patriots have passed the turning point and are no longer a “Diamond in the Rough” team; they are a group of young men who are looking to “Take It Over.”

With the loss of almost the entire defensive secondary and several key offensive linemen, both the offensive and defensive leadership roles on the field will need to manned by someone new this year. Even though the loss of Beeler and Huffaker will be huge, the Patriots should still be triumphant. Returning for the defense will be Brandon Lucas (6’1,270) at the defensive tackle position and Lemuel Holifield (6’1,200) as the outside linebacker. Matt Rhymer (6’0,215) and Ben White (6’0,225) will return to their starting positions at linebacker to continue to wreck havoc on the opposing team’s offensive schemes. On the offensive side of the ball, John Patton (6’0,315), J.R. Dean (6’1, 280), Quincy McNair (6’4,230), and Kyle Singleton (6’1, 240), who is coming off a 2004 knee injury, will be returning to the offensive front. They anchored an offense that led the nation in rushing last year. Moses Cochran (5’9,185) and Ricky Walker (5’10,210) will be returning with their speed and hard-nosed running ability in the backfield for the Patriots. At the wide receiver position, Lawrence McGee (5’9,185), Jeremy Vaught (6’2,215), and Jordan Jeffers (5’9,180) will likely see playing time as the Patriots look to mix things up. And at quarterback look for Larry Hay (6’1,215) to lead the Patriots to the promise land as he amassed 824 yards rushing and 490 yards through the air. Hay currently holds multiple records in the Patriots books and was picked as the #6 quarterback in the NAIA by Jason Dannelly’s naiafootball.net ratings.

“We feel pretty good right now with our offense,” said King. “There is some work to do before we line it up on September 3rd, but we believe Larry Hay is coming off a good junior season and he should be surrounded by some great talent. Our offensive line had a good spring practice and we even believe we might be a little better up front that last years group and that group was great! But, as you know, things can change drastically but we hope to keep it together and put a solid offensive group on the field in September. Although, we graduated several key players off our defensive unit, we believe we will still be pretty athletic but young in our secondary. We worked hard on experience in the spring and we know there will some question marks and growing pains up front, but we also feel confident our returnees and incoming players have what it takes to fill the gaps.”

"We will continue to play one play at a time, one game at a time, that’s our style. We have a group of guys that are goal oriented and know what they have to do if we are going to make it to the post-season,” King said.

The Patriots finished number one in country in rushing offense, number five in scoring and total offense where in 2003 they finished 16th in total offense. On the defensive side the Patriots finished 16th in rushing defense and 20th in total defense. Overall, the Patriots moved from a final 20th ranking in 2003 to a 16th place ranking in 2004 thus proving they have what it takes to make it to the top. All of these rankings and the Patriots did not make it to the 2004 post-season play. Imagine what they could do with an extra couple of games and an NAIA title match in December.

The Patriots have what is necessary to “Take it Over”. Their drive and ambition will make sure that they lay it all on the line each and every play of every game. So, will it be enough to take them to the top? Find out as the Patriots open the 2005 season at home on September 3rd as they host North Greenville College with kick-off scheduled for 1:30 PM.

2004 Season Preview