Faulkner drops 23-6 decision to Cumberland
October 10
LEBANON, Tenn. - Faulkner's struggles on offense continued here Saturday afternoon, with the Eagles mustering only five first downs and no offensive points in a 23-6 loss to Cumberland.
The Eagles (1-5, 0-2 MSC) had 106 yards of total offense, averaging two yards a play. Faulkner's lone score came on a spectacular 60-yard, interception return for a touchdown by Q Braswell in the third quarter, but by then the Bulldogs were in total control. The score cut the margin to 20-6, but Faulkner could get no closer.
Cumberland (2-4, 1-2 MSC) amassed 323 yards of total offense, with quarterback Christian Burnett passing for 101 yards and a touchdown. His 32-yard scoring strike to Ronez Harris late in the first quarter gave the Bulldogs a lead they would never relinquish. Ken DIxon and Da'Juan Manning added short touchdown runs in the second quarter pushed the lead to 20-0 at the half.
Nick Sasser's 28-yard field goal with 7:17 left in the third quarter closed the scoring.
Faulkner had its chances but could never take advantage of a pair of possible game-changing plays. Trailing only 6-0 early in the second quarter, Faulkner's Matt Fleck blocked a punt and Bobby Britton picked it up and returned it to the Bulldog 14. But on the first play following the block, Trey Martin's pass was intercepted by Cumberland's Cod McCallister. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles' Anthony Haywood intercepted a Burnett pass and returned in 48 yards to the Cumberland 29. On fourth-and-3 from the Bulldog 22, Jurell Williams was stopped a yard shy.
Faulkner hosts seventh-ranked Lambuth Saturday afternoon at 1:30. The game will be played at Alabama Christian Academy.