Tough AAC Loss on the Road at UPike for the Eagles

photos by Gaiter/Sports Photography

Pikeville, KY - Reinhardt Football has reigned supreme over the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) since switching from the Mid-South Conference after the 2021 season. The Eagles had not lost a conference game going back to 2022, and they were crowned AAC and MidSouth Champs the past eight seasons. Today, the Eagles suffered their first AAC loss to a tough University of Pikeville (UPike) team who put 47 points on the board. The final was 47-21 in this important AAC matchup.

The game started great for the Eagles when on the first play from scrimmage - wide receiver Tyshun Jordan took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Jackson at his own 27-yard line and scampered 73 yards putting the Eagles up 7-0. It appeared that the Eagles would have an easy time against the Bears, but this would be their only score until nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Jackson found wide receiver Cedric Cullars in the back of the endzone giving the Eagles their second score of the day.

Between those two Eagles touchdowns - UPike was able to put thirty-three points on the board and the Eagles seemed not to have an answer.  Remarkably, Reinhardt led at the halftime break 7-6 - but the Bears scored 20 points in the third and 21 points in the fourth to put the game away for the AAC win.

Reinhardt made things interesting in the fourth after Cullars' touchdown.  The Eagles had a successful onside kick to get the ball back. After a few plays, the Eagles made the most of a fourth and one play where running back Jamarion Walker found a hole up the middle for a 45-yard touchdown.  It was the Eagles' longest run of the day and put Walker at 96 yards on seven carries.

On the next drive, UPike took the ball up the field after a deep kickoff and shaved valuable minutes off the clock. UPike's big quarterback, Lee Kirkland, punched in a one-yard run, putting the game away for the Bears.

There were not a lot of highlights today for the Eagles, but a few did have great games individually.  Cullars led the receivers with five catches for 72 yards (14.4 yards per catch average).  Jordan's first play 73-yard score and Walker's fourth-quarter breaththrough touchdown were the other highlights for the Eagles.

Keon McGhee and Jeremiah Rowe led the Eagles defensively for the Eagles with nine tackles each. McGhee had a forced fumble that was recovered by defensive end Colby Sloan.

Reinhardt will be back at home next weekend versus Point University, where they will try to get back on the winning track to finish out the AAC schedule strong. The game is set for a noon kickoff at Ken White Field. You can expect the Eagles to bounce back from this tough loss and set the tone high for the remainder of the regular season schedule.