Neal's 201 yards send Tigers to Playoffs

Georgetown entered Week 8 with a lot on the line. First, the Tigers just wanted to go 1-0 for the week. A win would exact revenge on Cumberlands from a year ago. It would also clinch at least a share of the Mid-South Conference Championship and an automatic berth in the NAIA playoffs. Check, check, check and check. Led by a dominant running game, Georgetown knocked off Cumberlands, 31-17, to remain unbeaten in the MSC.

Darius Neal set off on a career day on the opening drive with 35 yards on just 5 carries. A promising drive was stalled though as Georgetown went for a 4th down conversion from the Patriots' 21-yard line but was denied. The offense's stay on the sidelines would not last long. Kyren Simpson picked off a Patriot pass and brought it to the UC 43-yard line just 3 minutes later. Georgetown's 2nd drive started with a 12-yard pass from Gehrig Slunaker to Neal. Dillon Warren followed with a 21-yard run to the Cumberlands' 10. 2 plays later, Neal rumbled in for the 14th time on the season. After Drew Rader's extra point, Georgetown led 7-0 late in the 1st.

The Tigers took the lead and the ball to the 2nd quarter and showed movement again. Isaiah Cobb carried twice for 20 yards but consecutive sacks took the Tigers out of scoring range and forced a punt that Drew Rader dropped at the UC 7-yard line. The teams traded possessions until the 3:41 mark of the 2nd quarter. Cumberlands' Jay Roberts hit Jakobie Hughes for a 40-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7. Georgetown took the ball with 3:33 left in the half looking for points while knowing Cumberlands got the ball to start the 2nd half. On the 2nd play, Gehrig Slunaker connected with Luke Olive for a gain of 14 to the Tigers' 38. Darius Neal then followed with a run of 60 yards, all the way to the Patriots' 2. Isaiah Cobb came on and finished the drive with a score to put the Tigers ahead, 14-7 at halftime.

Cumberlands punted to start the 2nd half and Georgetown got the ball at its own 20. Darius Neal tallied runs of 8 and 9, surrounded by a 3-yard catch to move the Tigers to the 40. Cobb then came in with runs of 7 and 5 to cross midfield. With the ball at the Patriots' 40, Slunaker found Aaron Maggard streaking down the left slot wide open for the touchdown and a 21-7 Georgetown lead with 9 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. Cumberlands went 3 & out on its ensuing drive and Georgetown got the ball on its own 48. Jahmir Ackerson entered the backfield and immediately ripped off a 38-yard run to the UC 14. The drive would stall but Drew Rader converted a 26-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-7.

In need of quick points, Cumberlands went to the air as Jay Roberts found Eli Evans for a 61-yard touchdown to get the Patriots right back in the game. The score energized Cumberlands as it forced a Tiger punt which only traveled 27 yards, giving the Patriots the ball on their own 43 as the 3rd quarter neared its end. The drive carried into the 4th as Cumberlands kicked a 20-yard field goal to cut the score to 24-17.

With a 7-point lead and 10:35 to go, Georgetown Head Coach, Chris Oliver, turned to his offensive line and run game to grind the clock and slowly seize momentum. Enter Darius Neal. He toted the rock on the 1st 5 plays for a total of 38 yards. On a 3rd & 8, JC Shegog pulled in a catch for a gain of 13 to the Cumberlands' 25. 3 more runs for Neal and 16 yards later, the ball was at the Cumberlands 9 as the clock dwindled to 4:08 to go. Disaster then nearly struck for the Tigers as a shotgun snap came back to Gehrig Slunaker before he was expecting it. The ball popped loose on the ground but was thankfully recovered by Boots Ellett. It brought the possession to a 3rd & 14 from the Cumberlands' 15. Well inside field goal range, the Tigers kept the ball on the ground. Darius Neal punctuated his best night in the orange & black with a 15-yard TD run over the right side that proved to be the knockout blow. The score gave the Tigers a 31-17 lead after a 12-play, 79-yard drive that took 6:48 off the clock. Jacob Brass sealed the win with an interception on the ensuing drive to close it out.

Darius Neal finished the day with 201 yards on 25 carries and 2 touchdowns. Neal now has 15 rushing scores on the year, putting him 1 away from tying the school record for most rushing TDs in a season. He needs just 32 more yards to become just the 5th Tiger ever with 1000 rushing yards in a season. Isaiah Cobb finished with 55 yards on 11 carries and a score. Jahmir Ackerson chipped in with 51 yards as Georgetown ran for 291 total yards. Gehrig Slunaker turned in an efficient day throwing ball, going 11-17 for 192 yards and a touchdown.

Jacob Brass and Kyren Simpson each tallied interceptions for the defense, while Payton Standifer recorded another sack. The defense allowed just 192 total yards and 10 first downs.

Georgetown has secured a playoff berth and can clinch the outright Mid-South Conference Championship with a win over Campbellsville on Senior Day next Saturday at Toyota Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30pm.