Saturday, October 20, 2007

TUSCULUM UPSETS NO. 7 CATAWBA 31-28 IN SAC SHOWDOWN

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College scored the first 24 points of the game and held off second half charge as the Pioneers upset seventh-ranked Catawba College 31-28 Saturday afternoon at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field. Tusculum (5-3, 3-0 SAC) wins its fifth straight game and takes sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic Conference. Catawba (7-1, 3-1 SAC) falls for the first time this season, while ending its nine-game winning streak.

Tusculum's Corey Russell accounted for all four touchdowns as he passed for three scores and rushed for another in the victory. Russell went 25-for-39 for 282 yards, while also rushing for 69 yards on 23 carries. Russell also broke the school career TD passing record (40) and the TC single-season TD passing mark (19).

Catawba's Brad Roach passed for 308 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted three times, including twice in the fourth quarter.

Tusculum's Jarvis Littlejohn recorded a dozen tackles, including two for loss, while Tagon Richard added four stops and a pair of interceptions.

Catawba out-gained the Pioneers in total offense (441-417), but Tusculum didn't commit a turnover, while forcing three by the Indians.

Russell orchestrated a 10-play, 66-yard drive in the first quarter, capped off by a five-yard strike to Ryan Tallent at the 6:58 mark. Justin Higgins' extra point made it 7-0. TC tacked on another tally when Higgins drilled a 32-yard field goal at the 3:04 mark to move the Pioneers up 10-0.

Catawba took the ensuing possession and marched all the way to the TC four-yard line before the drive stalled. Kicker Cory Darnell's 23-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Adrian Samples, keeping the Indians scoreless. Tusculum took the momentum and went 72 yards on nine plays as Russell rushed for a three-yard TD at the 8:14 mark of the second quarter as TC took a 17-0 lead at halftime.

Tusculum took the opening possession of the second half and moved into Catawba territory, but the drive stalled and the Pioneers were forced to punt. John Gregory pinned Catawba as his punt was downed inside the one-yard line. Three straight incomplete passes later, the Indians were forced to punt. Tallent took the short punt and returned the football eight yards to the CAT 25. Three plays later, Russell found Brandon Dixon in the back of the end zone at the 10:57 mark of the third and a 24-0 lead.

Catawba took its next possession to midfield before Roach was intercepted by Richard at the TC 29 on a diving pick. Tusculum couldn't take advantage of the miscue and the Pioneers went three and out. Catawba took over at its own 11, and took only four plays to get on the board, capped off by a 13-yard TD completion to Kory Fisher. Roach tacked on the two-point conversion as Brent Johnson made a diving grab to make the score 24-8.

Tusculum was forced to punt on its next possession as Catawba took over at its 20-yard line. The Indians went 80 yards on 11 plays in 3:50 as Roach completed a 17-yard pass to Antwan Strong. Catawba made it a one-possession game as Roach converted the two-point try with a pass over the middle to George Bell as the Indians trimmed the deficit to 24-16 with over a minute remaining in the third quarter.

On the ensuing possession, Tusculum got to midfield in the opening moments of the fourth quarter. On fourth down and seven, Tusculum faked the punt, but the run by Randy Williams was snuffed out by Leon Ager, stopping him three yards shy of the first down marker.

Catawba took advantage of the gamble as the Indians converted a pair of third downs and scored on a four-yard run by Bell with 9:18 remaining. The two-point conversion failed as Tusculum held onto the slim 24-22 lead.

Catawba looked to have all the momentum as the Pioneers went three and out and were forced to punt as the Tribe took over at the CAT 15. But on the first play, Roach was intercepted by Darik Gary across the middle at the CAT 24 with 7:20 left in the contest. Two plays later, Russell found Jamichael Caldwell in the right corner of the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown. Higgins' kick gave Tusculum a nine-point lead (31-22) with 6:30 left in the game.

On the kickoff, Travis Landrum scampered 42 yards to the Tusculum 45. Roach made four straight completions, including an 18-yarder to Johnson and a 10-yard pass to Fisher to get to the TC 4. Bell capped off the drive with his second touchdown of the period, this one coming with 5:11 remaining. Darnell's kick went wide right, leaving the score at 31-28.

The Pioneers milked 3:35 off the clock before punting the ball to Indians at the CAT 25. Two plays into the series, Roach was intercepted by Richard, but the pick was negated as the Pioneers were whistled for pass interference, moving the football to the CAT 45. But on the next play, Richard intercepted Roach's pass at the TC 34 with 1:02 left in the game.

Catawba utilized its remaining two timeouts, but on third down, the Indians were whistled for a personal foul. The penalty gave Tusculum a first down to seal the win.

Charles McAfee led the Indians with 11 tackles, including two sacks. Joe Brown added eight stops, while Melquan Fair finished with six hits, including four for loss and three sacks.

Tallent made eight receptions for 73 yards, while Caldwell added 89 yards on five catches for the Pioneers.

Johnson led all receivers with six receptions and 91 yards, while Strong added 68 yards on five catches.

Tusculum remains undefeated at home this season, improving to 4-0 at Pioneer Field. The Pioneers will be on the road next Saturday night as they face defending SAC Champion Newberry College for a 7 p.m. contest. Catawba returns home as they host Wingate University at 1:30 p.m. for homecoming.

- TC -