The game went back and forth, but ultimately Cumberland prevailed 36–31 en route to a 10–0 regular-season record and the Mid-South Conference championship.
On Cumberland's first play in overtime, Ahmad Broadnax scored on a 25-yard run, but Lance Gaudet's PAT attempt was no good, giving Union the 24–23 victory.
With 23 seconds left, Elam punched the ball in on a 2-yard run before tossing the two-point conversion pass to Ernie Samuel for the 24–17 victory.
After Cumberlands reclaimed a seven-point lead, Waters tossed two more touchdown passes and added a two-point conversion run to put Union up 35–28 with 7:23 to play in the game.
Cumberlands cut the margin to 35–34 when Jeremy Vaught hauled in a 76-yard pass; at the 3:42 mark however, the PAT was no good as Union held on for the win.
What made this contest unique was that it was the first played on a neutral site and under lights as the game was held at Campbell Field in Corbin, Ky. 2008 – Cumberlands 35, Union 28 – For the first time in series history, both teams were ranked in the NAIA Top 20.
With both teams undefeated in conference play, the victor would have an edge heading into the rest of the season in capturing the MSC East crown and a playoff berth.
After Kyle Callahan hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass with 6:57 to play in the game to pull Union even at 28–28, Freddy West capped a 64-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring plunge at the 5:38 mark to lift Cumberlands to the 35–28 decision.
Chandler Whittlesey connected with Kevin Eichelberger on a pair of touchdown passes of 18 and 15 yards in the fourth to lead the Bulldogs to victory.