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| University of the Cumberlands Football The University of the Cumberlands football Patriots finished the 2005 campaign 8-3 overall, 3-2 in the Mid-South Conference Eastern Division and ranked #21 nationally. The Patriots tied or broke seven individual game or season records, placed 12 players on the All Mid-South Conference teams, and had two players recognized as NAIA All Americans. The 2005 season also marked the third consecutive 8-win season for the Patriots. Prior to the beginning of the streak in 2003, only once had a Cumberlands football team won as many as eight games in a season. The 24 wins over this period ties for the most wins over any three year period in school history (1987-1989, 1988-1990). With all the accomplishments so far it is hard to imagine what the 2006 Patriots are going to get done. Under new management, the Patriots will be under the direction of John Bland and a new coaching staff. The plot continues to thicken as Bland prepares to spice up the already successful option attack and the defense will see a new scheme that should wreck havoc with their opponents. The Patriots lost many key players to graduation but Bland is looking to the talented returnees and incoming freshman to step up and continue the Patriot tradition. Possibly the most crucial replacement will be at the quarterback position. For Bland’s option to continue to be successful he must have a competent intelligent playmaker under center. Quarterback Larry Hay lead the Patriots for the past two seasons and was instrumental in Cumberlands success. On the offensive side of the ball, John Patton (6’0,315), Quincy McNair (6’4,230) Darren Stepp (5’11, 245), Donny Atha (6’1, 235), and Matt Ely (6’2, 255), who is coming off a knee injury, will be returning to the offensive front. They anchored an offense that led the nation in rushing last year. NAIA All-American Second teamer Moses Cochran (5’9,185) and Mid-South Conference Honorable Mention Ricky Walker (5’10,210) will be returning with their speed and hard-nosed running ability in the backfield for the Patriots. Both of whom joined the Patriot 1,000 club last season. Cochran rushed for 1415 yards and eight touchdowns. His 183 all purpose yards per game led the nation and 128.6 rushing yards per game ranked 10 th nationally. Returning on defense will be NAIA honorable mention recipient Lemuel Holifield (6’1,200) who recorded 76 tackles and Matt Rhymer (6’0,215) at linebacker who notched 74. Jeremy Kidd (6’2, 265) will also return to anchor the defensive line. The adjustment to the new football program from the top to the bottom will add an extra twist to the Patriot play books this fall as well. “We are excited as a new staff with the success of the program and what we feel we have to add to take the Patriots to the next level,” stated Coach John Bland. “We are looking forward to the season and how the players respond to the new challenges such as the new staff, new schemes, and the difficulty of a strong conference schedule.” “We want to win ballgames, enjoy playing football, but also help young men to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually,” stated Bland. “We are counting on our veterans and our incoming freshman to take us to the play-offs. From the film I have watched and from what I was able to see in spring practice, the talent here is strong and there are players that have the ability to play at a higher level of football, which is exciting. I can’t wait to see what this team can accomplish when the rough edges are smoothed out and polished. It’s going to be amazing.” The Patriots finished the 2005 season as the top rushing team in the nation for the second consecutive year averaging 303.5 yards per game. They also finished third nationally in total offense at 465.8 yards per game and fourteenth in scoring offense averaging 31.4 points per game. Bland’s “I Will” theme will help to make the Patriots well rounded in the classroom, in the community, and on the game field. With such a positive atmosphere and a group of young men eager to make it to the top, the Patriots should have what it takes to experience the success they have only dreamed about for the past couple of years. See for yourself as the Patriots open up their 2006 campaign in a special guest appearance in Corbin, Kentucky’s annual Pigskin Classic. The Patriots will be competing to bring home the Brass Lantern as they take on Mid-South Conference foe Union College on September 2, 2006.
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