When things seemed to be most dire, (7) Ravens football made the plays it needed to keep the 2018 season alive. The Ravens defeated (11) University of the Cumberlands Patriots 48-41 in double-overtime in the opening round of the NAIA Football Championship Series.

Each team scored a touchdown and made its extra point in the first overtime period, setting up a 41-41 score heading into the second overtime.

The Ravens moved to the 14 yard line following a Patriots penalty, then Charlie Nihart took a handoff to the six yard line. Two plays later, Nihart punched into the end zone and the Ravens went up 48-41.

The Patriots Milton Shelton had three carries in the second OT as the Patriots moved inside the Ravens five yard line. But, on fourth-and-3 at the Ravens five yard line, Patriots quarterback Eric Forrest rolled right then threw back left to Adam Smith who pushed forward for what would have been a first down. However, Isaiah Flowers forced Smith to fumble, then recovered the ball to seal the win and advancing the Ravens to the second round of the Championship Series.

Momentum swayed back-and-forth the entire game. After the Ravens took a 17-13 lead into halftime, the Patriots scored two straight touchdowns to take a 27-17 lead with just under 13 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. A decision made prior to the game turned out to be critical for the Ravens.

Sensing a time when he might need the stiff wind out of the north at his offense's back, at the opening coin toss Head Coach Larry Wilcox elected at to take the wind in the second and fourth quarters. That pre-game decision was beneficial as the Ravens attempted their comeback in the fourth quarter.

Shaefer Schuetz led a seven-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Logan Harris to cut the deficit to 27-24 with 11:15 to play. Schuetz completed four passes on the drive.

The Ravens defense stepped up on the ensuing Patriots drive, forcing a three-and-out. The offense took over at their own 37 yard line. This time, Schuetz connect on three passes, including an important third-and-14, first down conversion to Aaron Jackson. The final play of the 63-yard drive was a five-yard touchdown pass to Jackson, putting the Ravens up 31-27.

The Patriots started their next drive at their own nine yard line following a penalty on the kick return. Nine plays later, though, Shelton rushed in from one yard out for a touchdown, putting Cumberlands back up 34-31 with 3:21 left to play in the fourth quarter.

After the Ravens drove into Patriots territory on the ensuing drive, Schuetz was intercepted by Jaelon Benjamin, putting the Ravens defense in a difficult spot.

It wasn't an impossible spot, though. On the Patriots second play of the drive, Shelton fumbled and Matt McCullough pounced on the ball at the Patriots 21 yard line.

The Ravens managed three yards before Jacob Young came on for a 35-yard field goal, which tied the game at 34-34. A late Patriots drive ended with an incomplete pass, setting up overtime.

The Ravens won the coin toss prior to the overtime periods, selecting to play defense first. Shelton took the first hand off of overtime and rumbled 25 yards for a touchdown. He finished the game with 193 yards on 32 carries.

The Ravens first OT possession was highlighted by a Schuetz-to-Jackson third down conversion, then the same connection resulted in a touchdown to send the game into the decisive second overtime.

Schuetz finished with 275 yards passing and five touchdowns – he now has 27 touchdown passes on the season, matching the school record for most in a season that he set in 2017. Nihart had 92 rushing yards, Tre Adger had five catches for 117 yards, Logan Harris had five catches and 65 yards, and Jackson hauled in four passes for 39 yards.

The Ravens were led on defense by Brett Shepardson, who was involved in 14 total tackles. Jalen James was in on 13 and Keegan Bell recorded an interception. Schuetz and Shepardson were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game following the contest.

A key aspect to the game was the turnover battle; the Ravens forced four Patriots turnovers and only committed two of their own.

In the second round of the NAIA Football Championship Series, the Ravens will play at noon Saturday, Nov. 24 at home against Concordia (Mich.).