Patriots Gives Cavs Heartbreaking Overtime Defeat

November 4, 2006
Game Stats

Williamsburg, KY -- Jordan Jeffers' 23-yard option run down the left side and the fourth interception of the Highland Cavaliers in overtime gave the Patriots the victory Saturday afternoon. Trailing 34-28, the University of the Cumberlands recovered a fumble in the endzone to send the contest into overtime where the University of Virginia's College at Wise could not match the Jeffers' scoring ramble to fall 40-34 in overtime.

The defeat end the Cavs' NAIA playoff hopes as they fall to 7-3 on year and 2-2 in the Mid-South East Division. The Cumberlands extend it run over UVA-Wise to five-straight games with the victory and take its mark to 6-3 and 3-1 in the league.

On the second play of overtime, quarterback Kyle King ran the option to the left side and pitched it to Jeffers who broke two tackles on his way to a 23-yard touchdown in the extra period. The extra point was missed. UVA-Wise took over and gained three yards on first down. After two incompletions from the 22-yard line, Cavs' quarterback Randy Hippeard searched for a receiver only to fire the ball inside the five yardline but Brandon Goss intercepted the ball to seal the Patriots' win.

UVA-Wise remained perfect on the season by outgaining its 10th opponent of the year, 413 to 374. Hippeard (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge) completed 27 of 49 passes for 315 yards and four scores but threw four costly interceptions. Matt Barbour (Brookneal, VA/William Campbell) and Aric Evans grabbed six passes apiece for 102 and 101 yards with one and two touchdowns. Evans' two touchdown receptions gave him 11 for the season for a new Cavs' single season receiving touchdown catches. Kendon Doe pulled in six balls as well for 57 yards. Running back Ra'Shad Morgan (Chesterfield, VA/Meadowbrook) had a tough day on the Taylor Stadium field with footing and amounted just 76 yards on 23 attempts with one score. The 76 yards was enough for Morgan to set a new UVA-Wise single season rushing yards record of 1,466 yards, breaking Greg Thomas' 1,438 yards from 1996.

Dorsainvil (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem) didn't have many tackles but had a big impact for the UVA-Wise defense. The junior forced two fumbles, batted a pass from the line that teammate Jon Nacy (Chesterfield, VA/Manassas) intercepted, blocked a punt and had three tackles. Ben Robertson posted nine tackles, one sack, a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. Matt Hutchings (Midlothian, VA/Clover Hill) added seven stops, one sack and a fumble recovery while both Brandon Moore (Bristow, VA/Stonewall Jackson) and Aaron Looney had eight tackles. Chas Johnson (Newport News, VA/Warwick) contributed seven tackles and two tackles for loss.

The Patriots lead 21-12 at the half and extended the margin to 28-12 when Freddy West rumbled into the endzone from five yards. After Robertson recovered the second Cumberlands fumble of the half at the home 10-yardline, Hippeard found Doe from 13 yards with 44 seconds left in the third. The quarterback found tight end Adam Payne on a two-point conversion pass to make it 28-20.

On the next Patriots possession, Dorsainvil forced another fumble recovered by Nacy at the Cavs' 25-yard line. UVA-Wise drove 75 yards on six plays when Evans caught a 41-yard pass deep down the leftside line from Hippeard. The two hooked up on a successful two-point conversion to tie the game, 28-28 with 11:14 remaining.

Dorsainvil came up big again two Cumberlands possessions later. The defensive end blocked the Patriots' punt to give the Cavs the ball on the home 10-yard line. Hippeard found Evans from 10 yards for the first lead of the game 34-28 with the extra point being blocked.

With 2:35 left, the Patriots took over at its own 45. King completed a 29-yard pass to Matt Jones to the Cavs' 23-yard line. From the two-yard line three plays later, West carried up the middle, fumble into the endzone and was recovered by the Patriots' Donny Atha. The extra point was missed wide left for a 34-34 tie. From the home 43-yard line, Hippeard passed deep into the endzone where Gary Russell picked off the pass as the final play of regulation.

King was the Cumberlands top rusher with 113 yards on 20 tries while West added 84 yards on 16 carries, both having one score. King also passed for 103 yards on four of 10 tries and two scores. Jones grabbed two passes for 57 yards with a 29-yard score.

UVA-Wise will complete its 2006 season with the home finale next Saturday, November 11th by hosting Union College at 1:30 p.m.

Score by Quarters
UVA-Wise 0-12-8-14 0 34
UC 7-14-7-6 6 40

Scoring Summary
1st 10:47 UC - Kyle King 1 yard run (Andrew Carr kick)
2nd 7:08 UC - Quincey McNair 29 yard pass from Kyle King (Andrew Carr kick)
3:12 WISE - Ra'Shad Morgan 6 yard run (kick missed)
1:16 WISE - Matt Barbour 45 yard pass from Randy Hippeard (pass failed)
0:33 UC - Matt Jones 28 yard pass from Kyle King (Andrew Carr kick)
3rd 10:31 UC - Freddy West 5 yard run (Andrew Carr kick)
0:44 WISE - Kendon Doe 13 yard pass from Randy Hippeard (Adam Payne pass from Randy Hippeard)
4th 11:14 WISE - Aric Evans 41 yard pass from Randy Hippeard (Aric Evans pass from Randy Hippeard)
2:35 WISE - Aric Evans 10 yard pass from Randy Hippeard (kick blocked)
0:58 UC - Donny Atha 0 yard fumble recovery (kick failed)
OT 0:00 UC - Jordan Jeffers 23 yard run (kick failed)

-Go Cavs-