2006 Football Season Wrap-up

The University of the Cumberlands football Patriots finished the 2006 season 6-4 overall, 3-2 in the Mid-South Conference Eastern Division and ranked #26 nationally. The Patriots placed nine players on the Mid-South Conference teams, had two records broken for the Cumberlands, and were able to bring back home the legendary “ Battle for the Brass Lantern” from their season opening win against Union College all under the reign of new Patriot general John Bland.

Cumberlands opened up their 2006 “I Will” campaign with a win over Union College in the Battle for the Brass Lantern, which for the first time in the series history was played at a neutral site under the lights. Unfortunately, the Patriots then suffered two consecutive losses to North Greenville and Shorter College. Looking for redemption and opening their Mid-South Conference East schedule, the Patriots traveled to West Virginia Tech. The Patriots came out victorious with a score of 16-11 and evened their record at 2-2. Cumberlands then traveled to Mid-South Conference cross-rival Campbellsville and won 27-12 before returning home to host NAIA’s #5 Bethel College. In spectacular fashion, the Patriots pulled out the major upset winning 21-13, pushing their record to 5-2.

After an upsetting loss to Pikeville College, the Patriots came back with an OT win against University of Virginia at Wise, 40-34. At this point, the Patriots had one game left, a chance to win the Mid-South Conference East Division, and to advance to the NAIA play-offs. Georgetown College stood in the path of advancement. With the Georgetown Tigers having a top rated quarterback and a top rated offense, the Cumberlands had a difficult task ahead of them for their final regular season game. Georgetown started the first quarter off with 14 unanswered points prior to the Cumberlands coming back and scoring seven in the second quarter and then seven more in the third quarter. Tied 14-14 going into the final minutes of the game, the Patriots were unable to turn their offensive possessions into points, falling 14-28, in what was one of the best Cumberlands – Georgetown games in quite awhile. With the loss the Patriots fell to 6-4 on the season falling just short of a playoff bid.

In the first 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 2006 ranked 5 th in the nation with an average of 221.100 yards per game. Cumberlands was also number six in the nation for 4 th down conversions with 56 percent.

After some very disappointing injuries from star running backs, such as 2005 All-American Moses Cochran ( Thomasville, GA) and Junior MSC All-Conference back Ricky Walker ( Thomasville, GA), the Patriots searched for new leadership early in the season. With a few games under his belt and his confidence secured, Sophomore Quarterback, Kyle King ( St. Cloud, GA), was able to come through for his new coach and lead the team to victory. King threw for 105 times for 592 yards and ran the ball for 499 yards (49.9 yards per game) on the season and scored seven touchdowns. Marlon Jones (Valdosta, GA) played in seven games and gained 533 (76.1 yards per game) yards on the ground and three touchdowns, assisted by freshman Freddy West (Mulberry, FL) who ran for 349 (58.2 yards per game) yards and only lost one yard in the six games he played, West also scored three touchdowns for the season. Wayne Dabs ( Kimberly, AL), in his senior year, was able to pull through for the Patriots averaging 23.7 yards per game in receiving. Matt Jones ( Williamsburg, KY) was able to pull in seven receptions averaging 21.7 yards per game in receiving.

Defensively, Marcus Wesley ( Tampa, FL) and Lemuel Holifield ( Johnson City, TN) led the Patriots. Wesley had a career high 92 tackles with 45 being solo. He had 14.5 tackles for 67.2 yards loss, 4.5 sacks for 39.5 yards loss, three interceptions, four forced fumbles, and one blocked kick. Holifield had 75 tackles on the season, one sack, and one interception. In the secondary, freshman Brandon Goss (Bowman, GA) set a new interception record with eight on the season. Goss also led the team with seven pass break-ups and had 36 tackles.

In his senior year, Jordan Brown ( London, KY) had an average of 37.9 yards punting on his 44 punts and had a school record long punt of 71 yards. Andrew Carr ( Paducah, KY) came into the Patriots program in the 2006 season as the kicker. Carr went 50 percent on his eight field goal attempts and had a long field goal of 30 yards.

Earning All-Conference Honors were John Patton (Lexington, KY), Quincey McNair (Cochran, GA), Derrick Hightower (Dothan, AL), Marcus Wesley (Tampa, FL), Eric Tisdol (Eastman, GA), Alex Wright (Quitman, GA), Lemuel Holifield (Johnson City, TN), Brandon Goss (Bowman, GA), Jordan Brown (London, KY), Ronnie Bowling (Corbin, KY), Josh Frosch (Corbin, KY), Kyle King (St. Cloud, FL), and Josh Ward (Soddy Daisy, TN).

The University of the Cumberlands Patriots are looking forward to their 2007 season with Coach John Bland and many returnees from the 2006 season. The Patriots will attempt once again to defeat their conference teams in order to make it to the playoffs. Once again, the Cumberlands will kick off their season with the “Brass for the Brass Lantern” match-up against MSC East Division rival Union College in Corbin, KY on September 1, 2007.

2005 Season Wrap-Up

2004 Season Wrap-Up