COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Bears use big fourth quarter to beat KCU in season opener

University of Pikeville quarterback Lee Strickland passed for 390 yards and fourth touchdowns, and the Bears put up 35 points in the final period to defeat Kentucky Christian University, 54-33, in the season opener played at the Hambley Athletics Complex on Saturday. 

Strickland tossed three scores in the second half, including a pair to Derrick Griffith, who added a first-half TD reception. He returned a KCU kickoff 50 yards to cap the scoring. 

Receiver Diego Soto hauled in nine passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Alex Sanders caught 11 passes for 84 yards and a score. 

UPIKE passed for 500 yards and rushed for 46 yards. 

The Bears will host Cumberland University (2-0) on Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for 3 pm. 

At Pikeville 

SCORE BY QUARTERS: 

KCU (0-2)…….9 10 7 7 – 33 

UP (1-0)……….6 6 7 35 – 54 

Scoring: 

First Quarter 

UP – Alex Sanders, 9-yard pass from Lee Kirkland (kick blocked), 12:45 

KCU – Brian Hughes, 97-yard blocked PAT return, 12:45 

KCU – Jerald Daniels, 17-yard pass from Maxwell Ward (Paul Rodriguez kick), 9:07 

Second Quarter 

KCU – Davonte Williams, 3-yard pass from Maxwell Ward (Paul Rodruguez kick), 12:55 

UP – Derrick Griffith, 12-yard pass from Xavier Malone (kick failed) 3:43 

KCU – Paul Rodriguez, 30-yard field goal, :32 

Third Quarter 

UP – Alex Sanders, 3-yard run (Jakob Headley kick), 10:08 

KCU – Owen Hankins, 1-yard pass from Maxwell Ward (Paul Rodriguez kick), 5:38 

Fourth Quarter 

UP – Derrick Griffith, 4-yard pass from Lee Kirkland (Jakob Headley kick), 13:40 

UP – Alex Sanders, 1-yard run (Jakob Headley kick), 12:24 

UP – Diego Soto, 98-yard pass from Lee Kirkland (Jakob Headley kick), 4:14 

UP – Derrick Griffith, 20-yard pass from Lee Kirkland (Jakob Headley kick), 2:30 

KCU – Austin Mullins, 5-yard pass from Maxwell Ward (Paul Rodriguez kick), 1:04 

UP – Derrick Griffith, 50-yard kickoff return (Jakob Headley kick), :58 

Next up: UPIKE (1-0) vs. Cumberland University (2-0), 3 pm, Sept. 17.