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.