Saturday, November 4, 2006

TUSCULUM RALLIES LATE TO BEAT MARS HILL 24-17

MARS HILL, N.C. --- Tusculum College rallied with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Pioneers defeated host Mars Hill College 24-17 Saturday afternoon at Meares Stadium. Tusculum (6-4, 3-3 in South Atlantic Conference) posts its fourth straight win over the Lions (4-6, 1-5 SAC), while securing its sixth winning season in the last seven years.

Sophomore quarterback Corey Russell passed for two touchdowns and ran for another. Junior receiver Jamichael Caldwell scored the game-winning touchdown with 9:06 remaining as he hauled in a 64-yard strike from Russell. For Caldwell, it was his 13^th career touchdown catch, matching the all-time TC record by former All-SAC honoree Matt Riggs. Caldwell finished with three catches for 81 yards. Senior Travis Oliver also tallied three receptions for 86 yards and a score.

The Tusculum defense was ruthless as it established a new school record as it limited the Lions to minus 50 rushing yards and forced a pair of turnovers. Jeremy Thompson was brilliant in his return to the Tusculum line-up as he posted eight tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage and forced a fumble. The Pioneer defense, entered the game ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II rushing defense, allowing 47.3 yards on the ground per game.

Tusculum converted one of those turnovers into points late in the first quarter. Tusculum recovered the MHC fumble at the Lions' 17, but the Pioneers drive stalled. Senior Glen Black connected on a 37-yard field goal as TC took a 3-0 advantage. That lead lasted until Mars Hill's Brandon Sims completed a 53-yard TD strike to Demario Zachery at the 12:35 mark of the second quarter.

TC regained the lead 10 minutes later when Russell completed a 74-yard pass to Oliver. Black's extra point moved Tusculum back in front 10-7. But on its next possession, MHC drove to the TC 9, but had to settle for a Chase Harris 29-yard field goal with 27 seconds left in the period as the score was tied 10-10 heading into the locker room.

The score remained that way until the 4:22 mark of the third quarter when back-up signal caller Ricky Spradling relieved the injured Brandon Sims and found Tyrea Allen in the end zone from 29 yards out. Harris was successful on his kick as MHC moved back in front 17-10.

Tusculum took the opening drive of the fourth quarter and marched 75 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a one-yard run by Russell with 10:33 remaining. Black tied the game at 17-17 with his extra point. Mars Hill went three and out on its next possession and were forced to punt. On TC's first play, Russell found Caldwell open on a 64-yard pass as Tusculum regained the advantage 24-17 with over nine minutes left.

The Tusculum defense was tough down the stretch as it limited the Lions' offense to minus 18 yards on its final three possessions to preserve the victory.

Zachery finished with eight catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Allen also posted four grabs for 66 yards and a score for the Lions. Sims went 11-for-23 for 156 yards.

Tusculum will close out the regular season next week when it hosts arch-rival Carson-Newman College for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Pioneer Field.

- TC -