Tigers pick off a win against the Bears

When four of the nation's leading offensive teams are in one division, defense will play a huge factor. As was the case Saturday when Georgetown College football flexed it's iron wall against a University of Pikeville team averaging 50-plus a game.

The No. 8 Tigers (4-0, 1-0) scored three defensive touchdowns – pick sixes – helping to break the Bears (2-2, 0-1) as they started Bluegrass divisional play with a 52-14 win.

Zyan Bethel got it going with a snag mid-air of a Lee Kirkland pass that he returned 24-yards and the home team led 14-0. The junior did it again early in the fourth. This time he took Kirkland's pass back 70-yards and might have served up the crushing blow. UPike, held scoreless the first 30 minutes, came out of the half to score twice in the third and were moving the ball for a potential third score to be down just 10. Bethel turned the tide and the visitors never threatened again.

Marcus Omosule capped it off with a 64-yard pick after Payton Standifer knocked the quarterback from the blindside.

"I've had a return before, but this one was longer," Omosule said. "My initial thoughts were don't get caught from behind.

"(My teammates) were really excited for me, probably more than me because I was trying to breathe."

His score was the final tally of the day as each team traded series of running plays until the Tigers lined up in victory formation for the kneel play to end the game.

GC's defense also forced a fumble for a total of five Pikeville turnovers on the day. Georgetown had no interceptions and recovered its one fumble to have no turnovers on the day.

Brandon Burgess continues to pile up the yards through the air. He threw for 269 with three touchdowns. The highlight coming on a 71-yard strike to Dylan Hughes for the fourth score of the game.

After the Bears forced a three and out on the home team's first series, a muffed punt gave the ball right back to GC. Burgess did not waste the opportunity. First play from scrimmage he hit a 25-yard strike to Jake Johnson and the first score of the day. Aaron Maggard recorded the other receiving touchdown and Isaiah Cobb had a one-yard plunge for a late touchdown for all of GC's touchdowns. Josh Edwards added a 41-yard field goal as well as seven extra points for 10 points from the kicking game Saturday.

Georgetown is back in action 2:30 pm ET Saturday at Bethel University.