Knights Pick Up First Win Of Season
Grayson, KY - KCU Knight Football was able to ride a strong defensive performance and an effective ground game on their way to the first win of the season in what turned out to be a cold and wet Homecoming day contest with a 30-6 victory over the Cincinnati Christian University Eagles.
The Knights, who improve to 1-8 (1-3) set the tone early when they held the Eagles on 4th down that halted a 15-play drive to open the game. The Knights then marched the football right down the field for an impressive 80 yard opening touchdown drive capped off by a 42 yard TD run by De'Anta Sipp, his longest of the season. Sipp finished the game with 160 yards on the ground on only 16 carries. Junior Darian Rawls added 44 yards on 11 carries and 1 touchdown on the ground as well.
The Eagles, who will fall to 0-9 (0-4) could never find a rhythm on offense, gaining just 218 yards on 84 plays against the KCU defense. Down 16-0 with 4:08 left in the 2nd quarter, the Eagles gained some life when Donyell Denson took an interception back 25 yards for a touchdown which turned out to be the Eagles only score of the game. Both offenses had their struggles in the first 30 minutes leading to a 16-6 KCU advantage with 0:23 seconds left in the half when Knight Freshman WR Hakeem Ellington took a punt return 78 yards the distance just before halftime to give the Knights a 23-6 lead heading into the break.
The Knights defense came up big in the 2nd half holding CCU scoreless despite being on the field much of the half. Elijah Hines and Jonathan Adams led the way defensively for the Knights each tracking down 11 tackles. Emmett Keyes had another big game defensively forcing 1 fumble and snatching another interception, his 3rd of the year. A Darian Rawls touchdown from 11 yards out with 0:35 seconds left in the 3rd quarter ended up being the final score of the game giving the knights their first win of the 2017 season.
The Knights will be at home next week for their final home game of the season against Bethel University (2-7) at 1:30 P.M. on Senior Day.