The Patriots scored 129 points (64.5/per game) and averaged 629 yards in their first two games. The Wildcats defense did their job limiting UC in both categories. But, as the case has been in the first three games, the Wildcats found themselves down early. The Patriots scored at 7:31 of the first quarter on a nine play 65 yard drive for a 7-0 lead.
Facing third and 18, Cumberlands hit a 73 yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter to open a 14-0 lead. Bethel responded with a nice 10 play 61 yard drive that produced a Sean Fraser 25 yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-3. Back came the Patriots on a nine play 66 yard scoring drive. The Wildcats' special teams produced a fumble recovery on the kickoff giving Bethel the ball on UC's 36 yard line. Facing fourth and two at the 28, BU came up a yard short. After an exchange of possessions, Bethel got their second turnover when Phillip Collier picked off a pass at the Bethel 27 yard line. But, the ‘Cats were forced to punt as time in the half expired.
The Patriots took the second half kickoff and marched down the field and faced a third and two at the two yard line. Gregory Hines forced a fumble at the one yard that rolled into the endzone where UC's Justin Norman fell on the loose ball for the score and a 21-3 UC lead. Late in the third quarter, Bethel faced fourth and two at the Patriots two yard line, but came up short on a Troy Watson quarterback sneak.
Cumberlands were knocking at the door at the beginning of the fourth quarter scoring a five yard rushing touchdown and taking a 28-3 lead. But, credit the Wildcats for not giving up. On the third play after the kickoff, Cordarius Mann got around the right side of the line and streaked 28 yards for a touchdown and Bethel trailed 28-10. UC drove again, but the Wildcats defense held forcing a field goal try that missed wide right. With the Patriots driving again, the defense came up with another take away as James Barham forced a fumble that BJ Banks was able to recover. But, again the offense was not able to take advantage. On the ensuing Cumberlands possession, BJ Banks forced and recovered another fumble at the Patriots 28 yard line. Bethel was able to covert the turnover into points scoring a touchdown on a quarterback sneak from the one yard line by Watson cutting the lead to 28-17. Bethel attempted an on-sides kick and got a good bounce but could not secure the football before it went out of bounds.
Watson seemed to find himself late in the ballgame and completed 24 of 32 passes for 200 yards. Dominique Macon led the receiving corps with eight catches for 81 yards. Justin Rogers had four grabs for 25 yards. Jahron Reynolds had three for 35 yards and Jacob Fussell had one for 14 yards.
Mann led the rushing attack with 8 carries for 85 yards and a score. Josh Boyd had 44 yards on 13 carries.
Defensively, the Wildcats were led by Alex Hayes with nine tackles. Antonio Wardlow had eight tackles, one forced fumble and a partial block punt. Sean McCormick had seven stops with one tackle for a loss. BJ Banks had six stops with two fumble recoveries and half a sack.
Bethel will continue their road trip playing in Jackson, Miss. against Belhaven College on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 6:30pm in a Mid-South Conference Western Divisional game. Last season Bethel defeated the Blazers 31-21. The Wildcats will be playing their first home game of the season on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 6:30 against Cumberland University (Tenn.). Jerry "The King" Lawler of WWE Fame will make an appearance at the game and then will take part in The Bash at Bethel, an athletics fundraiser, at the Dishman Gymnasium after the game. The Bash will feature five wrestling matches and tickets are $10.
| Southern Polytechnic State University at | 5:00pm |
| Bethel | CST |
