WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - No. 17 Union College put up a valiant effort, but it was not enough as host No. 6 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) posted the 24-12 Mid-South Conference East victory Saturday.

The loss dropped Union to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play, while Cumberlands is now 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the MSC East.

For the fourth year in a row, the Patriots keep the Brass Lantern - the traveling trophy for the series. Cumberlands now leads the series 22-9 all-time and 17-8 since 1985.

Cumberlands' ability to dominant the ground game as well as come up with big plays through the air proved to be the difference. The Patriots outgained the Bulldogs 378-256 with 206 rushing yards. Union had 203 passing yards and only 53 rushing yards on 27 attempts.

Justin Pritchett led the Patriot ground game with 69 yards on 10 carries with Marvin Demby adding 50 yards on four attempts.

After a scoreless first quarter, Cumberlands drew first blood when Coheleach Holmes punched the ball in from the 1-yard line with 9:45 on the clock, capping an eight-play, 50-yard drive. After the PAT, the Patriots led 7-0.

Coming quickly answered with a 40-yard strike to P.J. Burrowes (Middlesboro, Ky.) with 8:29 remaining in the half. The PAT was blocked, leaving the score 7-6 in favor of the Patriots. The two-play, 46-yard drive was set up by a 45-yard kickoff return by Sean Mackey (Reddick, Fla.).

Cumberlands wasted little time in answering as Jay Bright hit Willie Gibson for a 35-yard scoring pass, capping a five-play, 54-yard drive. After the PAT, the Patriots led 14-6 with 5:32 to go in the half.

Justin Dyer gave Cumberlands a 17-6 advantage with a 37-yard field goal with 6:57 left in the third quarter.

However, Union sliced the deficit to 17-12 when Terence Pollock (Orange Park, Fla.) scored on a 3-yard run with 8:02 to play in the game. Union went for the 2-point conversion, but the pass was incomplete, leaving the score 17-12.

The Bulldog defense looked as if it has stalled the Patriot offense at midfield, but Bright hit Gibson for a 54-yard strike to put Cumberlands up 24-12 with 5:46 remaining.

Union tried to come back but could not get back into Patriot territory as Cumberlands held on for the 12-point win.

Mike Brinkley (Anthony, Fla.) finished the game with 203 yards passing and one touchdown on 14-of-26 passing. Pollock led the ground attack with 30 yards on 13 carries. Burrowes hauled in 7 catches for 114 yards.

Union returns to action next week at Pikeville (Ky.) College in another MSC East tilt. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

Bulldog Notes

• Mike Brinkley become the fifth player in program history to pass for over 4,000 yards in a career. He now has 4,039 in his career.
• This marks the first time in series history one team has won four years in a row.
• P.J. Burrowes leads the team with 25 catches for 321 yards and five touchdowns.