2007 Football Season Wrap-up

The University of the Cumberlands football Patriots finished the 2007 season 8-3 overall, 4-1 in the Mid-South Conference Eastern Division, 0-1 in the post-season and ranked #17 nationally. With an MSC East Championship, they were pushed into the top 16 teams at #14 to play in the playoffs. The Patriots placed 15 players on the Mid-South Conference teams, had two team records broken, two team records tied, four individual records broken, one individual record tied, and were able to keep the legendary “Battle for the Brass Lantern” from their season opening win against Union College. All the accomplishments were directed by the 2007 MSC East Coach of the Year, John Bland, and his coaching staff.

Cumberlands once again started the 2007 season with a neutral field as they faced Union College for the traditional “ Battle for the Brass Lantern”. The Patriots pulled off the 24-19 win for the second year in a row, allowing them to keep the Brass Lantern and go 1-0 in the MSC East. Another close match-up occurred next as the Patriots traveled to Campbellsville University and squeezed off a win 17-13. Mars Hill College, a NCAA II college came to play in the Cumberland’s first home game of the season and left with a win of 35-17 to put the Patriots at 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the MSC. In welcoming West Virginia Tech for the first time in history, the Patriots sent them back to West Virginia with a 59-6 win and a 2-0 record in the MSC East. The Patriots only recorded six passing yards in this competition, making it the least amount of passing yards in a single game for the season. They also recorded their best defensive stand of the season as they held the Golden Bears to six points and 242 total offensive yards. The next game was September 29, 2007 at Lambuth University. Moving up to 14 passing yards, the Patriots went 4-1 overall with a 41-10 win on the road.

In mid-season, the Cumberlands returned home for a head to head match-up against cross-over divisional opponent, Belhaven University. They continued their winning streak as they pushed over Belhaven with a 41-28 score and a well spread offense as the Patriots had 190 passing yards and 195 rushing yards. Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN was the next obstacle for the Patriots. With a fourth quarter field goal from Hunter Meade ( Bristol, VA), the Patriots went on to win 13-10. The worst game of the season came against long-time rivalry, Georgetown College. The Cumberlands only had 171 offensive yards for their worst offensive stand of the whole season. The Patriots lost at home against Georgetown 27-10. With a 6-2 record overall and a 2-1 record in the MSC, the season deciding game was against #9 UVA-Wise. For the second year in a row, the Patriots went into overtime and pulled out a 41-38 win and completed 489 offensive yards. The Cumberlands went on to win their last regular season game against Pikeville College 42-21. Directly after the Pikeville game was over, the Patriots received word that Georgetown College had lost to Union College which put the Patriots into the playoffs for the first time since 1988. They played Ohio Dominican University in the first round, but lost 62-35. In the playoff game, the Patriots had their best passing yardage in a single game with 218 yards, but gave up 620 yards for the most yards to an opponent in the 2007 season.

In the second year of the Bland era, the winning tradition continued as the Patriots were yet again over the 500 mark. Cumberlands dominance continued in the NAIA as they finished 2007 ranked 4th in the nation with an average of 282.000 rushing yards per game. Cumberlands was also number nine in the nation for 4th down conversions with 58.6 percent.

After a rough junior year for the 2005 All-American, Moses Cochran ( Thomasville, GA), he came back in his senior year better than ever. He led the rushing offense with 755 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and having seven touchdowns on the season. With 1586 All-Purpose yards on the season, Cochran now holds the all-time career record for All-Purpose yards at the Cumberlands with 4386 yards. Cochran finished up his career as a Patriot with four individual records in his four years of play. Ricky Walker ( Thomasville, GA) rushed for 728 yards and led the team with 11 touchdowns. Kyle King ( St. Cloud, FL) was a second year starting quarter who continued to improve throughout the year. King threw for three touchdowns in his 53 completions and 845 yards, along with rushing for 360 yards and eight touchdowns. As the season progressed, King shared the spotlight with freshman, Roderick Mason ( College Park, GA). Mason went 14 for 28 with 3 touchdowns and 147 yards. Mason also rushed for 426 yards and two touchdowns as a QB. To cap off the offensive leaders of the season, Matt Jones ( Williamsburg, KY) led the Patriots in receiving with 24 completions for 382 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, PJ Hughes ( Montezuma, GA) stepped up in his first year as a starter and led the Patriots with 83 tackles. Behind Hughes was Travis Thurmond ( Statham, GA) with 73 tackles and an interception. Both Brian Abshire ( St. Cloud, FL) and Chris Fountain ( Paducah, KY) led the team with five interception a piece and had one touchdown return. Along with his two interceptions and one touchdown return, Caleb Davis ( Manchester, GA) showed the secondary how strong he was with his 10 pass breakups. Jeremy Kidd ( Harrodsburg, KY) helped with his two blocked kicks and led the Patriots with 4.5 sacks on the season.

For the special teams, Moses Cochran showed to be the most distinguished with 575 total kickoff return yards and three return touchdowns, tying the record for most touchdowns on kickoff returns for a single season and career. Hunter Meade made 10 of his 16 attempted field goals (62.5%), with a long of 38 yards and made 38 of his 42 PAT attempts (90.5%). Meade led the Patriots with 68 points, tied with RB Ricky Walker. Sean Mounts ( Norris, TN) punted 42 times for an average of 38.9 yards per punt and had a long of 52 yards.

Earning All-Conference awards were Thomas Leinenbach (Henderson, KY), Ricky Walker, Travis Thurmond, Brian Abshire, Chris Fountain, Moses Cochran, as RB, and Sean Mounts. For the All-Conference Honorable Mention, Shelby Goldey (Lancaster, KY), Josh Frosch (Corbin, KY), Moses Cochran, as kick return specialist, Derrick Hightower (Dothan, AL), Jeremy Kidd, Alex Wright (Quitman, GA), PJ Hughes, Desmond Cruver (Newman, GA) and Shovon Patton (Dublin, OH) were named.

The University of the Cumberlands Patriots are looking forward to their 2008 season with the 2007 MSC East Coach of the Year, John Bland. They will come out in the beginning of the season against non-divisional opponents and the last six games will be against MSC East Divisional opponents. Look for the Patriots to finish strong once again as they strive for a return to the playoffs.

2006 Season Wrap-Up
2005 Season Wrap-Up
2004 Season Wrap-Up