Fifth-Ranked Patriots Handle Highland Cavaliers

October 29, 2005
Game Stats

Wise, VA – Fifth-ranked University of the Cumberlands Patriots took advantage its opportunities and handled the University of Virginia’s College at Wise Saturday evening. After falling behind 3-0, the Patriots scored four times in the opening half and added two more touchdowns in the third frame for a 40-17 victory.

Cumberlands moves it season mark to 8-1 and will do no less than maintain its fifth-place national ranking. The Patriots improve to 2-0 in the Mid-South East Division while the Cavs go to 1-2 in the league and 4-5 overall.

UVa-Wise opened the game strongly by driving 55 yards to the Cumberlands 10-yardline before kicker Ray Damm booted a 27-yard field goal to make it 3-0. Godfrey Pestana keyed the drive with 45 yard run.

Cumberlands battled back two possessions later when the offense went 40 yards culminating on a one-yard plunge by quarterback Larry Hay to make it 7-3. The Patriots’ Josh Boston and Jeremy Kidd combined to sack Cavs’ quarterback Randy Hippeard to take the home team out of field goal range. After the visiting defense held on fourth down, the Cumberlands offense drove 75 yards on eight plays when Hay hit Lawrence McGee from eight yards to make it 14-3.

UVa-Wise answered with its first touchdown when quarterback Randy Hippeard found Daniel Adams in the back of the endzone to make it 14-10 with 10:17 in the second quarter.

Cumberlands put the ball in the endzone for the third time and second occasion for Hay to dive in from a yard for a 20-10 lead. After a Cav fumble with 2:48 left in the half, the Patriots took advantage. Cumberlands extended its lead to 26-10 on a three-yard pass from Hay to Jeremy Vaught with sevens seconds left in the half.

The Patriots took charge from the opening drive of the second half to paydirt to eliminate any chance of a Highland Cavalier comeback when Moses Cochran ran around the right side 26 yards to bring the tally to 33-10. Nate Martin ran in from a yard for the second visitor score in the third for a 40-10 score after three frames.

Hakeem Abdul-Saboor rumbled four yards for the Cavs early in the fourth quarter but the home team could not get any closer to fall 40-17.

Cumberlands outgained Uva-Wise 522-312 yards of total offense on the night and took advantage of three turnovers and posted two sacks. Hay had a solid night running the offense with 188 yards passing on 10 of 12 attempts with two tds while running for two one-yard scores. Cochran rushed 19 times for 132 yards and one score. Vaught caught four of Hay’s passes for 109 yards and a score. Chaz Stradley paced the defense with eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

For UVa-Wise, Hippeard threw for 200 yards on 14 of 26 attempts with one touchdown. Pestana rushed 12 times for 68 yards while Adams caught a career-best six passes for 70 yards and one score. Ben Robertson had a season-high 17 tackles and a tackle for loss. Donne Avant added 11 stops with eight of the solo variety.

UVa-Wise will host nationally-ranked Pikeville College for a 5:00 p.m. start next Saturday.

-Go Cavs-