Time: 7:30 PM EDT
Venue: Williamson Stadium, Barbourville, Kentucky
Season Context
Cumberlands enters 2025 as the reigning Mid-South Bluegrass Division champion, coming off a 10–2 season that included a trip to the NAIA second round. The Tigers return a veteran core looking to reassert their conference dominance.
Union Commonwealth posted an 8–3 mark last year in the American Midwest Conference, earning a share of the league title with a balanced offense and a stingy defense. The Blue Raiders aim to build on that success under third-year head coach Marcus Allen.
Team Overviews
Cumberlands Tigers
Head Coach: Kory Allen (4th season)
2024 Record: 10–2 overall, 6–0 MSC Bluegrass champions
Offense:
QB Sawyer Smith – 2,800 passing yards, 27 TDs
RB Malachi Greene – 1,150 rushing yards, 13 TDs
Defense:
LB Jackson Price – team-high 95 tackles
DB Aaron Joyner – 6 interceptions
Union Commonwealth Blue Raiders
Head Coach: Marcus Allen (3rd season)
2024 Record: 8–3 overall, 5–1 AMC co-champions
Offense:
QB Dalton Green – dual-threat with 1,900 passing yards, 450 rushing yards
WR Ethan Rusk – 65 catches, 850 yards, 8 TDs
Defense:
DE Caleb Washington – 9.5 sacks
DB Malik Owens – 4 interceptions, strong in run support
Head-to-Head
This is the first-ever meeting between Cumberlands and Union Commonwealth. Both teams will be motivated to stake an early claim in the national rankings and conference pecking order.
Key Players to Watch
Cumberlands
Sawyer Smith (QB): Precision passer who thrives on play-action and quick reads.
Malachi Greene (RB): Punishing runner between the tackles with home-run speed.
Jackson Price (LB): Sideline-to-sideline tackler and defensive leader.
Union Commonwealth
Dalton Green (QB): Extension of the run game and accurate on intermediate throws.
Ethan Rusk (WR): Vertical threat capable of flipping field position.
Caleb Washington (DE): Early-down disruptor who collapses pockets.
Additional Notes
Forecast calls for clear skies and kickoff temps near 73 °F—ideal football weather. Cumberlands returns four offensive-line starters, likely providing clean pockets for Smith. Union Commonwealth’s special teams, led by returner Isaiah King, could flip field position with one big play.
Game Odds
Cumberlands Tigers (Ky.) – 14
Union Commonwealth Blue Raiders 58.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, August 27, 2025
