On Saturday October 29^th, University of the Cumberlands (UC) sophomore wide receiver Willie Gibson (Abbeville, GA) helped lead the University of the Cumberlands Patriots to a 58-0 shutout of Belhaven University, the first since 2002 and the first in the John Bland Era.  During the game, Gibson caught two touchdown passes in the first quarter while also rushing for a touchdown.  His second touchdown grab gave him 15 touchdowns in his career, eclipsing the school record for touchdown passes caught in a career.  

Gibson is well on his way to becoming one of the best athletes to play football for UC.  He is having a stellar season for the Patriots in 2011 already accumulating 599 receiving yards on 32 catches and 7 touchdowns.  Gibson is just 9 receptions behind the single season record which is held by Joe Daniel (2000) with 41 receptions.  His 7 touchdowns on the season also has him close to another school record he currently is tied for. 

Gibson will look to break the touchdown receptions record in a single season, a record he already holds a share of.  In 2009, he caught 19 passes for 473 yards and 8 touchdowns, tying the record also held by Jeremy Vaught (2005) and Beau Canada (1995).  The outstanding receiver looks to break it against Cumberland University on Saturday November 12th. 

Gibson is currently only 549 yards away from breaking the career receiving yards record currently held by Eddie Miller who had 1,621 yards from 1991-1994.  He also is only 286 yards away from breaking the single season mark for receiving yards held by Joe Daniel in 2000 with 831 yards. 

This has been a season for the record books and Gibson will look to continue his stellar athletic play for the remainder of this season and on into his junior and senior years respectively.

For more information on the football program and other Patriot athletics visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. 

Article provided by Joshua Hallock, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia and Athletic Services Student Assistant.