CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — The Eagles (1-0) opened their season with a 16-10 victory in a top 25 showdown against the 19th-ranked Campbellsville Tigers (0-1) here at Finley Stadium this afternoon thanks to a dominant second quarter, earning Shayne Wasden his first head coaching win. Faulkner scored all 16 points within three minutes of play.

The Tigers drew first blood after Josh Gaines fumbled on the Eagles' 29 yard line in the first quarter. Kendon Young made the visitors pay, scampering 14 yards for the touchdown a little under nine minutes into the game.

Zeryes Rivers returned the favor popping the ball free from Jeremy Hinds. Daylon Fox scooped it up on the Tigers' 14 with about four minutes to play in the opening half. The very next play Reagan Amos completed the trick-play pass to Jacob Pigg to tie the game at 7 after the extra point converted by Logan Roberts.

After a quick three-and-out, D'Arie Johnson blocked the Noah Bicksler punt which was recovered by the hosts in their own end zone for a safety, giving the Eagles a 9-7 advantage and putting the Eagles ahead for good.

Gaines capped off the scoring with a 3 yard rush.

Faulkner's offense tallied 251 yards with 204 coming through the air. Mason Blocker went 17-28 with 190 yards and one interception.

Amos led the team in reception yards, but Terrance Sims had the longest play of the day for the visitors with a 48 yard reception.

Fox led the team with ten tackles. Lincoln Tulimasealii finished the day with one and a half sacks.

This result is atypical in the history between these Mid-South Conference foes. Both teams had scored more than 21 points each in the previous meetings, with several at or above 50.

Wasden was proud of the way his team fought today. "Our guys battled for four quarters to beat a good Campbellsville football team. Like most typical first games, there were many mistakes, but our defense rose to the challenge and played an outstanding game. We were not consistent on offense but managed to score enough for the win. A blocked punt by our punt return unit helped to swing momentum in our favor in the second quarter. We have plenty to work on between now and our next game at The University of the Cumberlands in two weeks."

That road contest will take place on September 8 in Williamsburg, Kentucky at 12:30 p.m.