Union Football Drops Season Opener to Cumberlands (Ky.)

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The Union Commonwealth University football team (0-1) fell to the University of the Cumberlands (1-0) on Thursday night, 45-11.

First Quarter (Cumberlands 15, Union Commonwealth 8)

After Union's opening drive ended in a punt, Cumberlands took over at the CUMB26. The Patriots needed just 58 seconds to score, as quarterback Drew Gregg connected with wide receiver Juan Bullard Jr. for a 66-yard touchdown. Gregg then found linebacker Major Newman for the two-point conversion to give Cumberlands an 8-0 lead.

Following another Union punt and a turnover on downs by Cumberlands at the UNION45, the Bulldogs regained possession. Running back Taji Jackson opened the drive with a pair of runs. On third-and-10, quarterback Cooper Wick rolled out and hit wide receiver Dom Jones for a 41-yard gain to the CUMB14. Jackson ran twice more, bringing the ball to the CUMB09. Then, on third-and-5, Wick found wide receiver Selatian Straughter at the CUMB02, and Straughter leapt through contact into the end zone at the 4:58 mark. Union tied the game at 8-8 after quarterback Bryson Grabowski ran in the two-point conversion.

The Patriots responded immediately. Ronye Watson returned the kickoff 47 yards to the UNION48. After a few short plays and two penalties, Cumberlands faced second-and-21 from the UNION46. Under pressure, Gregg stepped up and threw a deep pass to wide receiver Cade Lamb for a 46-yard touchdown. Kicker Job Matossian added the extra point to make it 15-8.

Union ended the first quarter with possession at the UNION36.

 Second Quarter (Cumberlands 28, Union Commonwealth 8)

The Bulldogs opened the quarter at the UNION36 and advanced to the CUMB27 after 22 rushing yards from Jackson and a defensive pass interference call on defensive back Ethan Jackson. A few more short gains put Union at the CUMB25, but Wick's pass deflected off his target's hands and was intercepted by safety Jonathan Heralus.

Cumberlands began the drive at the CUMB12. Running back Jayden Clayton picked up nine yards to the CUMB21. On second-and-1, Gregg was sacked for a six-yard loss to the CUMB15. After an offsides penalty and an unnecessary roughness call on Union, the Patriots had the ball at the CUMB49. On second down, Gregg hit Lamb again for a 51-yard touchdown. Matossian made it 21-8 with 8:45 remaining in the half.

Cumberlands surprised Union with a successful onside kick, recovering at the CUMB46. Gregg quickly found wide receiver Michael Petty for a 44-yard pass to the UNION10. Bullard Jr. ran to the 1-yard line, and Gregg finished the drive with a quarterback sneak. Matossian's PAT made it 28-8 with 7:34 left.

After a Union punt, Cumberlands got the ball back at the CUMB46 with 5:04 to play. The Patriots drove to the UNION26, but Gregg was intercepted by safety Donell Casey.

Both teams traded punts. Cumberlands had a final chance to score before the half but Matossian missed a 46-yard field goal wide left. The half ended with Cumberlands leading 28-8. 

Third Quarter (Cumberlands 35, Union Commonwealth 11)

Cumberlands received the second-half kickoff, and Adam Foulk returned it to the UNION48. Gregg began the drive with a 29-yard pass to Bullard Jr., bringing the ball to the UNION21. After a false start, a short run by Carlisle, and an incomplete pass, the Patriots faced third-and-12. Gregg found Petty in the back of the end zone for another touchdown. Matossian's PAT made it 35-8 with 13:25 left in the quarter.

Straughter returned the following kickoff to the 50-yard line. Union moved the ball to the CUMB41, but Wick threw an interception to outside linebacker Brandon Burke with 10:59 remaining.

Cumberlands started at the CUMB13 and drove to the CUMB49, where defensive back Jamarious McClellan forced a fumble. A holding call on the Patriots brought the play back. Officials reviewed the play for targeting and ejected McClellan, resulting in offsetting penalties and Cumberlands retaining possession. Later in the drive, Gregg was sacked and fumbled, and Union recovered at the UNION38.

The Bulldogs advanced to the CUMB10, thanks to contributions from Grabowski, quarterback Calliyon Thompson, and running back Qua Powell. After two incomplete passes by Wick, Union settled for a field goal. The score stood at 35-11 with 2:03 left in the quarter.

Watson returned the ensuing kickoff 24 yards to the CUMB40, but the Patriots were forced to punt. Union got the ball back at the UNION04. Jackson rushed for 14 yards on two carries to the UNION18, and the Bulldogs maintained possession heading into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter (Cumberlands 45, Union Commonwealth 11)

Union began the quarter with the ball, but a pair of incomplete passes by Grabowski led to a punt. Watson returned it 33 yards to the UNION14.

Quarterback Tanner Marsh entered the game for Cumberlands and ran for 12 yards to the UNION02. On the next play, Clayton ran it in for a touchdown. Matossian added the extra point to make it 42-11 with 13:50 to play.

Union punted on its next drive, and Cumberlands took over at the CUMB46. The Patriots drove nine plays over 3:25, ending with a 35-yard field goal by Matossian to increase the lead to 45-11 with 8:12 remaining.

Union started the next drive at the UNION33 and reached the CUMB35 in four plays. On first-and-10, Grabowski was intercepted by defensive back Jeremy Hamilton with 6:16 left. Cumberlands ran out the clock to seal the win.

To find out who the Access Health Player of the Game was, click here.

Up next, Union Commonwealth hosts Thomas University on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1:30 p.m.