Saturday, September 15, 2007

TUSCULUM THWARTS TIGERS 69-0 IN HOME OPENER

"10 Different Players Score Touchdowns in Pioneer Victory"

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Ten different players scored touchdowns as the Tusculum College football team routed visiting Saint Paul's College 69-0 Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field. The 69-point margin of victory is the third largest in Tusculum history as the Pioneers (1-3) amassed 559 yards offensively, while limiting the Tigers (1-2) to 120 yards on the day and forcing four turnovers.

The 69 points are also the fourth most in school history and the 10 touchdowns scored are the second most ever in the modern era of football at Tusculum.

Tusculum quarterback Corey Russell passed for 213 yards and three touchdowns in his two-plus quarters of action. Russell also rushed for 58 yards on eight carries, including his 15-yard TD in the opening moments of the second half. The TC quarterback trio of Russell, Brandon Behenna and Garrett Sutphen completed passes to 11 different receivers for 276 yards and five touchdowns, tying a school single-game record, matching the five TD passes thrown against Lenoir-Rhyne College in 2002.

The Tusculum defense recorded a safety while the special teams blocked a field goal and two punts including one on the first play of the fourth quarter that was picked up by Jeremy Thompson and returned 19 yards for a touchdown.

The Tusculum ground attack churned out 283 yards and four touchdowns, including a 64-yard scamper by Marcus Foster late in the game to conclude the scoring barrage.

Tusculum scored on its first four offensive possessions to take a 28-0 in the opening quarter to begin the onslaught. Ryan Tallent got the scoring started when he hauled in a 19-yard TD pass from Russell at the 11:21 mark of the first period. Justin Higgins' extra point made the score 7-0.

The Tusculum defense forced a punt on the next Tiger possession. Russell completed a 41-yard pass to Calvin Britt on the first play of the series to move the ball to the SPC 22. TC got as close as the 12 before the drive stalled. With reserve quarterback Garrett Sutphen lined-up as the kicker on the ensuing, apparent field goal try. The Pioneers faked the kicked as holder John Gregory took the snap, flipped the ball over his head to the sprinting Sutphen who found Jarrell NeSmith in the right corner of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. Higgins' kick made it 14-0.

Tusculum's third score was set-up by the defense when Justin Scott recovered a fumble at the SPC 18. Patrick King carried the ball on the next four plays, including a five-yard TD run to move TC up 21-0. Three players later, Jarvis Littlejohn sacked quarterback Jean Dessein, causing a fumble which was recovered by Zach Walker at the SPC 31.

Russell completed back-to-back passes to Chris Young covering 21 and eight yards, with the last one finding the end zone and a 28-0 TC advantage.

The score would remain that way until late in the first half. Following a 59-yard punt by Gregory that pinned the Tigers at their four-yard line, Demetrius Brown was sacked in the end zone by Brandon Kelley for a safely, moving TC up 30-0. TC capped the first half scoring with 45 seconds remaining before intermission when Russell completed a 21-yard strike to Jamichael Caldwell and a 36-0 halftime score.

Tusculum took the opening possession of the second half and marched 66 yards in eight plays, including Russell's 15-yard TD run. Back-up signal caller Brandon Behenna relieved Russell and connected with Britt on a 47-yard strike to the end zone to make the score 48-0.

Tusculum also got a 10-yard touchdown run by Marques Stewart later in the final period as TC won its ninth home opener in the last 10 years, all under head coach Frankie DeBusk, who was coaching in his 100^th game for the Pioneers on Saturday

Saint Paul's was led on defense by Clinton Gee, who accounted for nine tackles, a sack and an interception. Jason Grove finished with seven tackles for Tusculum, while teammates Zach Norman and Jarvis Littlejohn added six stops each.

Jermaine Williams led all rushers on the day with 71 yards on 15 carries for the Tigers.

Tusculum will be idle next weekend as the Pioneers prepare for its Sep. 29 home contest against Wingate University in the South Atlantic Conference opener for both teams.

- TC -