Box Score
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky.-In a game dominated by the defenses with a few big plays mixed in, the Belhaven football team came up short at 19th ranked University of the Cumberlands (KY) in the 2012 season opener on Saturday 21-10. The contest was 7-3 through three quarters, but a couple of game changing plays in the fourth proved to be the difference in the game.

One of those plays was from Patriot quarterback Jay Bright, who hit wide receiver Willie Gibson on a 65 yard touchdown with 4:53 left to seal the game. Belhaven (0-1) had pulled back to within four on a 43 yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Alex Williams to senior receiver Kylan Pollard with 5:46 to go. Williams somehow avoided multiple defenders as he rolled out of the pocket and found Pollard at the goal line while on the run. Unfortunately, the momentum was pulled away on the pass by Bright less than a minute later.

The only score of the first half occurred with 2:05 remaining in the opening period. Senior running back Terrance Cobb busted loose for a 36 yard run capping a three play 61 yard drive. Cobb ended the day with 90 yards and two scores on 14 carries. The Blazers had some chances in the first quarter, but a couple of missed field goal opportunities and a turnover on downs stalled three good drives.

Belhaven final broke through for points in third quarter on a 24 yard field goal by senior James Bryan. The drive started at Belhaven's three yard line and covered 90 yards on 10 plays. Cumberlands (KY) (1-0) held on the goal line to force the three points instead of a potential game tying touchdown.

The Patriots answered Bryan's field goal on Cobb's second touchdown of the game with 7:58 left to make it 14-3. They then survived the final Belhaven charge to hang on for the win.

“Disappointed in losing and felt like we had our chances to win it,” said Head Coach Joe Thrasher. “Proud of how our defense played today and our offense moved the ball well, but winning in the stat sheet doesn't translate to winning the game. We had some issues with our field goal unit that we need to correct. We played a tough top 20 team today and had an opportunity to win and have to learn from this one and get ready for Louisiana College next week.”

The Blazers outgained Cumberlands on offense 394 yards to 286 and owned the time of possession 35:38 to 23:08. However, the stats don't always tell the whole story and that was the case Saturday afternoon. The Patriots defense bent, but did not break making some big stops to halt drives.

Senior running back Justin Gaines led the Belhaven ground game carrying the ball 14 times for 74 yards. Sophomore quarterback Raymond Cotton ran the ball six times for 43 yards followed by junior Kadero Edley with 10 carries and 42 yards.

Williams ended the day completing 14 of 27 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown. He was also intercepted once on deflected pass at the line of scrimmage. Senior Bobby Thigpen was the recipient of eight passes for 96 yards.

Belhaven's defense played well and held the Patriots to 165 yards rushing. Cumberlands averaged nearly 250 yards on the ground per contest in 2011. Bright completed only five passes, but they ended up covering a big chunk of yards in crucial situations. Gibson reeled in three for 105 yards and a TD. Bright only had 121 passing yards against the defense, but made the clutch throws in key situations.

Junior linebacker Calvin Lewis made eight stops in his Belhaven debut to lead the defense. Junior Justin Mims had a big game with five tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. Mims led the teams in picks last season. Senior William Triplett and junior Darius Wren also contributed five tackles.

Senior Weston Hazlehurst had 12 tackles for the Patriots including a sack and two tackles for a loss. Junior Jeremy Gardner had six tackles and a pair of sacks. Cumberlands applied relentless pressure all afternoon and ended the game with five sacks and numerous quarterback hurries.

Belhaven will open the home schedule on Saturday night as Louisiana College comes to town for a 7:00 PM kickoff.