July 28, 2015

Better Know the Opponent, Week 1: University of the Cumberlands (KY)

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the first in an 11-part series breaking down each of Carson-Newman football's opponents for the 2015 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles' opener – a Sept. 3, Thursday night date with the University of the Cumberlands Patriots.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the first in an 11-part series breaking down each of Carson-Newman football's opponents for the 2015 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles' opener – a Sept. 3, Thursday night date with the University of the Cumberlands Patriots.

First things first, let's get Cumberlands right. So there's no confusion, Carson-Newman opens up with the University of the Cumberlands located just across the Kentucky border in Williamsburg. These are the Patriots, two years removed from an NAIA national title game appearance. Carson-Newman has never faced this school before and will meet them for the first time on the gridiron Sept. 3.

They are not to be confused with fellow NAIA and Mid-South Conference mate Cumberland, located in Lebanon, Tenn. Carson-Newman last faced the Bulldogs during the Frosty Holt era in 1947 and picked up an 18-6 win over their Volunteer State brethren. Ergo, 1947 will remain the year that Carson-Newman last faced Cumberland.

Onward to the Patriots, who look to rebound from a 3-7 mark last year. Cumberlands has been one of the premier NAIA teams over the last decade. John Bland was named MSC Coach of the Year on five occasions and helped guide the Patriots to a trio of 10 win seasons, culminating in a 13-1 season and an NAIA title game appearance in 2013.

Bland headed south to take over the Mississippi College Choctaws program in 2014 and Matt Rhymer took over. Rhymer was a defensive assistant for five years under Bland before leaving to coach high school ball for two years.

However, the Patriots' first losing season in 12 years shouldn't be blamed on Rhymer. The first-year head coach saw 20 seniors and 13 starts leave the program because of graduation.

One of the key returners from that NAIA title game appearance is MSC East Division Freshman of the Year and quarterback Adam Craig. Craig made a huge mark on the Patriots program becoming the first player to ever rush for more than 1,000 yards and throw for over 1,000 in the same season. He also scored 39 touchdowns.

However, as a sophomore, Craig split time with Randy Maynard under center. Craig was the more efficient of the two QBs, completing 54 percent of his passes for 310 yards. However, Maynard received the lion's share of the reps, appearing in eight games to Craig's four. Maynard only completed 45 percent of his passes for 699 yards. He tossed four touchdowns against eight picks.

The bulk of the men either Maynard or Craig will hand off to return. Six Patriots rushed for more than 200 yards last season. All six return. Ricardo Lyons was UC's leading rusher. He gobbled up 426 yards on the ground last year. Maynard and his team best five rushing touchdowns return, as do Hunter Lewis and DJ Rozier and their four scores on the ground a piece.

Wendell Williams returns as the team's leading receiver. He snagged 16 passed for 362 yards last year and scored three of the Patriots seven touchdowns through the air.

Defensively, opponents were able to generate loads of pressure in the Patriots backfield, making 91 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Compare that to the Eagles, who allowed just 30 tackles for loss last year (which granted, was second in the nation in Division II).

The Patriots top three tacklers return from lasat year in Arrico Ogletree, Corey Washington and Brandon Ford. Ogletree and Washington each made 62 stops last year while Ford brought down the ball carrier on 49 occasions.

Carson-Newman's Better Know The Opponent series returns Thursday with a preview of week two opponent Shorter.