PHOTOS

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson forced seven Cumberlands (Ky.) turnovers today en route to a 31-28 win over the visiting Patriots at Blue Raider Stadium.

No. 22-ranked Lindsey Wilson vaults to the top of the Mid-South Conference East Division standings with a 2-0 divisional record. The Blue Raiders improve to 4-2 overall this season with the win. Cumberlands falls to 1-4 and 0-3 in the East.

The Blue Raider defense yielded just 14 points in the game. Cumberlands scored the remainder of its points on a defensive scoop and score off a Lindsey Wilson fumble and a kickoff return for a touchdown to keep the game within reach.

Lindsey Wilson offense struggled with its consistency today, especially in the first half.

Despite producing some big plays in the second half, the Blue Raiders finished the game converting just four of 17 third downs and none of their five fourth down tries. Lindsey Wilson also struggled in the red zone -- scoring on two of five trips inside the Patriots' 20-yard line, including just one touchdown. The Blue Raiders had entered the game 19-of-22 in the red zone this season -- all touchdowns.

Cumberlands' Arrico Ogletree snapped a scoreless first 13-plus minutes as he scooped up a fumble and returned it 30 yards for the 7-0 lead.

Lindsey Wilson tied the game on a 5-play, 26-yard drive -- following a Cumberlands' fumble -- as quarterback Branden Cresap hit Emilio Gonzalez over the middle for an 11-yard touchdown.

Sandwich in between Lindsey Wilson's scoring drive was a pair of drives halted inside the Patriots' 10-yard line. With the missed opportunities, Lindsey Wilson entered the half tied at 7-7 with Cumberlands.

Following three first-half turnovers, the Blue Raider offense started to find some rhythm in the second half.

Cresap found Cory Davenport out of the backfield for a 72-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to give the Blue Raiders a 14-7 lead.

Once again the Blue Raider defense aided the scoring drive by forcing its fifth turnover the day. Cresap and Davenport -- who ran untouched, never breaking stride to the end zone -- needed just one play to match their first-half production for the Blue Raiders' first lead of the day.

While Lindsey Wilson seemingly had momentum on its side, Cumberlands' Blake Ingleton took it away with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.

The Blue Raiders responded with 10 straight points.

Caleb Keeton hit a 23-yard field goal -- his second in as many tries this season -- for a 17-14 lead.

The Blue Raider defense got into the scoring act on the next Cumberlands' drive as Corrion Cooper forced a fumble and Justin Wade recovered it in the end zone for a 24-14 lead.

The two teams swapped five-play drives resulting in touchdowns to push the Lindsey Wilson lead to 31-21.

Cumberlands quarterback Randy Maynard kept the ball on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line for the Patriots score while Cresap found Carmetrick Ross for a 44-yard score to give the Blue Raiders a 10-point lead with 9:53 left in the game.

Cresap finished 16-of-32 for 277 passing yards and three touchdowns.

The methodical Cumberlands offense provided its biggest play from scrimmage with 6:29 left as Maynard connected with Wendall Williams on a 56-yard score. Maynard was 6-for-14 for 107 yards and two touchdown passes.

The Lindsey Wilson defense did the rest. Forcing a three-and out with 3:15 left in the game and capping off the game with an interception by Jordan Elery to seal the win.

Lindsey Wilson finished the game with 456 total yards of offense compared to 339 for the Patriots.

Austin Howell led the Blue Raider defense with nine tackles, including two for a loss. Elery and Eric Shaw each finished with interceptions.

Lindsey Wilson returns to action at 12:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 11 as the Blue Raiders travel to Kentucky Christian in Grayson, Ky.