The University of Pikeville Bears will host the University of the Cumberlands at the Hambley Complex on Saturday night looking to win its third straight game.
Head coach Al Holland Jr., knows the Patriots will be a tough match-up for his team in the divisional opener. The Bears fell 49-13 in Williamsburg last November. UC leads the overall series, 10-6.
UPIKE is 2-2 after outscoring Kentucky Christian University two weeks ago, 49-38. The Bears had beaten Bluefield College the previous week after opening with back-to-back on the road at Murray State University and Reinhardt.
The Patriots, now 3-0 and ranked 11th nationally, dismantled Union College, 98-0, in one of the most lopsided wins in NAIA football history last Saturday. UC owns previous wins over Webber International (45-14) and Ave Maria University, Fla. (30-23).
In the victory over KCU, the Bears played without senior running back Xondre Willis, who has suffered a season-ending leg injury. Derius Gibson ran for 125 yards and Alex Sanders added 96. Each had a rushing touchdown.
Alexander Shelton had two rushing touchdowns and quarterback Trevon Wofford added one. Wofford and quarterback Bowen Smith combined to pass for 155 yards. Smith tossed a pair of touchdown passes, one to Arties Clark and a second to Shelton.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tailgating with the Bears will begin at 5 p.m.