GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — For the 55th time since they started playing in 1904, the Tusculum vs Carson-Newman football rivalry will add another chapter when the East Tennessee foes face off at Pioneer Field this Saturday afternoon in the finale of the 2026 regular-season. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
The storylines are almost too many to count when the Pioneers and Eagles battle in the second oldest football series in the State of Tennessee this week.
During the off-season the transfer portal traveled up and down US-11E between Greeneville and Jefferson City as four players from each of this week’s rosters were on the opposing sideline last year. Cam Ferguson, Tedros Gleaton, Jimi Olarinde and Keithan Washington made the move from Carson-Newman to Tusculum. Former Pioneers John Celestin, Bryson Blanford, Jerome Newland and Lex Dinwiddie are now playing for the Eagles.
Tusculum will be celebrating Senior Day this week as 12 Pioneers will be honored in pregame ceremonies. Scheduled to be honored are seniors: Easton Dellinger, Cam Ferguson, Cameron Garnett, Tedros Gleaton, Colbe Haddox, Ashton Hagans, Malachi Jim-Lawson, TJ Jingozian, Rio Little, Gio Newsome, Jean Richemond and Keithan Washington.
THE SERIES
The Tusculum/Carson-Newman football rivalry began in 1904, making it the second oldest collegiate gridiron series in the State of Tennessee (The Tennessee/Vanderbilt rivalry is the oldest as the Volunteers and Commodores first met in 1896). C-N leads the all-time series 37-15-2, but Tusculum has won five of the last nine meetings including four of the last five in Greeneville.
Carson-Newman won the first two meetings in 1904 and 1913, before Tusculum reeled off six consecutive wins from 1914-1920. On Oct. 11, 1919, the Pioneers scored a program-record 103 points in a 103-0 shutout of the Eagles.
C-N would go 6-0-2 in the next eight meetings before Tusculum ended the drought with a 3-0 win over the Eagles in Jefferson City en route to capturing the Smoky Mountain Athletic Conference football title.
Carson-Newman would run off a string of 13 consecutive wins including 10 straight from 1935-1950 and then three in a row from 1998-2000 when the Pioneers joined the South Atlantic Conference. Eight of those C-N wins during the streak were by shutout.
Tusculum ended the losing streak with a thrilling 37-36 win over Carson-Newman on Oct. 13, 2001 in the Eagles’ inaugural trip to Pioneer Field. Aaron Claridy scored go-ahead touchdown with 35 seconds left. C-N answered 21 seconds later when Shane Kelley hit Alvin Sanders with an 18-yard TD pass to pull the Eagles to within one. Carson-Newman went for the two-point conversion and the victory, but Antwon Oliver was stopped shy of the goal-line by Michael Anderson to preserve the TU win.
Two years later, Tusculum would post a 27-18 triumph over Carson-Newman as the Pioneers captured its first SAC football title.
The Eagles would win the next four meetings, before Tusculum would get back in the win column. On Nov. 8, 2008 in the regular-season finale, the Pioneers jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first half and led 38-24 midway through the third quarter. C-N quarterback Alex Good rallied the troops with TD runs of one and 80 yards to tie the game in the fourth quarter. With 4:24 left in the game and C-N driving Jeremy Thompson scooped up a fumble and went 55 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Good completed a 43-yard TD pass to Otis Miller with 1:49 on the clock. But the game-tying extra point was blocked by TU’s Brandon Kelley as the Pioneers won 45-44. The win secured a three-way tie for the SAC Championship and earned TU its first NCAA Division II Playoff appearance.
The Eagles won the next seven meetings including a 49-48 victory in the 2010 season-finale which is arguably considered the most exciting game in the history of the rivalry. In a game which featured 10 lead changes including with 5:50 remaining when LiRonta Archie put the Pioneers back in front 48-41 with his 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown. C-N responded with a 14-play, 77-yard drive as Tyron Douglas scored on a one-yard TD with 35 seconds remaining. After a C-N timeout, the Eagles elected to go for the lead and Doug Belk’s successful two-point run gave the visitors a one-point lead (49-48). With only one timeout remaining, the Pioneers moved into C-N territory and with six seconds left, All-American kicker Gareth Rowlands lined up for a 53-yard field goal try. His kick was plenty long enough but hit the left upright on the game’s final play.
The 2016 game was another thriller as Tusculum scored the first 20 points of the game only to see Carson-Newman rally and tie the game at 23-23 in the fourth quarter with nine minutes left in regulation as the contest would go into overtime for the first time in series history. Carson-Newman scored on its first possession and kicked the extra point to go up 30-23. After two incomplete passes on its first two plays of its possession, TU quarterback Luke Lancaster completed a 20-yard strike to Rodnell Cruell for the first down. Tony Belle would run it in for a three-yard touchdown. The Pioneers elected to go for two and the win. Lancaster rolled out to his right and completed a pass in the flat to Jordon Shippy who would dive and extend the ball over the goal line for the game-winner (31-30). The contest was a monumental one for another reason as it was the final game for legendary Carson-Newman head coach Ken Sparks.
Carson-Newman would win the next two in Jefferson City to extend its streak to 16 in a row in home wins over the Pioneers dating back to 1934.
TU would post a 41-28 win in the 2018 meeting at Pioneer Field to start a four-game home winning streak. Tusculum would post a 34-6 including 34-6 win over the Eagles in 2022 in Carson-Newman’s last visit to Greeneville.
In 2023, Tusculum snapped an 89-year drought with a 27-21 victory, its first win in Jefferson City since 1934. It would mark the Pioneers’ first 3-game winning streak against Carson-Newman since winning three in a row from 1918-1920.
The Eagles were victorious 56-14 in the 2024 encounter in Greeneville. C-N scored 42 straight points while pounding out 330 rushing yards while the defense forced three TU turnovers including two that were returned for scores.
C-N won last year’s (2025) game 26-0, the first shutout of the series since 2005 and the first ever blanking of the Pioneers at Burke-Tarr Stadium history.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE
Carson-Newman (8-2, 6-2 SAC) enters this week ranked 20th in the nation and are currently tied for first place in the South Atlantic Conference standings.
The Eagles had a chance to clinch the outright title last week, but dropped a 23-21 decision to Newberry in C-N’s home finale.
A Carson-Newman win this week or a Newberry loss to Anderson and the Eagles clinch at least a share of the conference championship. A Newberry win over Anderson and the Wolves will earn the league’s automatic qualifier to next week’s NCAA II Playoffs. A C-N win and a Newberry loss gives the outright title to the Eagles and the AQ for the NCAA Playoffs. If both Carson-Newman and Newberry lose this week, both share the title and the Wolves get the AQ based on the head-to-head win last week.
Carson-Newman is ranked fifth in this week’s NCAA II Super Region 2 National Power Index, which decides the field of next week’s NCAA postseason.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Tusculum Pioneers wrap up the 2026 season with Senior Day and the Battle of US-11E with arch-rival Carson-Newman.
After posting back-to-back 1-9 campaigns the last two years, the Pioneers have shown marked improvement with its option offensive attack and a defense that has emerged as one of the best in the South Atlantic Conference. TU enters this week with a 4-6 overall record and a chance to play spoiler as they look to halt Carson-Newman’s chances of winning its 22nd SAC Championship.
This year’s Tusculum team has been battle-tested with six of its 10 games being decided by seven points. Last week’s 21-7 loss at Lenoir-Rhyne was a lot closer than the score would indicate. Tusculum worked its way into LR territory on three occasions in the fourth quarter including two times inside the red zone. But the Pioneers turnover the ball over on downs twice and threw an interception on the final possession of the day.
Offensively, the Tusculum option run attack has been clicking for the most part this season where it ranks second in the conference in rushing offense averaging 187.9 rushing yards per game (37th in NCAA II). Those numbers took a hit last week when the Pioneers were held to just 52 rushing yards at Lenoir-Rhyne, its second fewest in a game this season.
Tusculum is second in the SAC in fewest times intercepted (3 – 4th in NCAA II), second in passing yards per completion (17.79 – 3rd in NCAA II), third in the SAC in time of possession (32:10 – 20th in NCAA II) and third in fewest turnovers lost (13 – 44th in NCAA II).
Leading the TU offense this year is transfer quarterback Tedros Gleaton. Gleaton is averaging 174.5 total offensive yards per game (8th in SAC) including 53.5 rushing yards per contest which leads the team and is 11th in the SAC. He has rushed for a SAC-best nine touchdowns (41st in NCAA II) which are the eighth-most by a Pioneer and second-most by a Tusculum quarterback in a season.
He has passed for 1,210 yards with seven touchdowns against three interceptions. He has a 49.6 completion rate and averages 121.0 passing yards per game (9th in SAC).
Gleaton began his collegiate career with the U.S. Naval Academy, before transferring to Carson-Newman where he played two seasons (2024, 2025).
Ja’Von McMahan is second on the team with his 438 rushing yards including a career-high 138 yards against UVA Wise. He also rushed for 123 yards at Mars Hill.
Cam Ferguson is third on the team with his 383 rushing yards on 81 carries including six touchdowns (6th in SAC). Two weeks ago at Newberry, he ran for two scores and rushed for 79 yards on his 10 attempts. Ferguson also has made seven receptions for 132 yards with a pair of TD catches including his game-tying 27-yarder to end the first half vs UVA Wise. Last month, he ran for a career-high 114 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in the Catawba game.
Including his three seasons at Carson-Newman, Ferguson has totaled 2,489 all-purpose yards (1,302 rushing, 389 receiving, 798 kickoff return) while scoring 17 career touchdowns in his 41 career games.
Keithan Washington, one of three Carson-Newman transfers in the TU backfield this year, is fifth in rushing in 2026 with 117 yards on 23 attempts for a team-best 5.1 yards per carry average. He has scored two rushing touchdowns.
Zion Job leads the Pioneers in receiving with his 18 catches for 331 yards.
Javon Richardson has made 16 grabs for 244 yards including a 65-yard TD reception vs Catawba. He has made 26 career receptions for 384 yards and two TDs. He posted six receptions for 75 yards at Newberry.
Ashton Hagans has made 16 catches for 283 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has appeared in 31 career games where he has collected 31 receptions for 433 yards and eight touchdowns including his career-long 59-yard TD at Emory & Henry.
The Tusculum offensive line is second in the SAC in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.80 – 37th in NCAA II) per game and are third in the conference allowing 1.30 sacks per outing (37th in NCAA II).
The Tusculum defense has been outstanding this season as the Pioneers are ranked in the top half in the league in several numerous categories including: defensive touchdowns (2 – 1st in SAC/31st in NCAA II), interceptions (11 – 2nd in SAC / 39th in NCAA II), rushing defense (98.9 ypg – 2nd in SAC / 17th in NCAA II), red zone defense (.618 – 2nd in SAC / 6th in NCAA II), sacks (2.60 spg – 3rd in SAC / 27th in NCAA II), tackles for loss (6.8 – 5th in SAC / 27th in NCAA II), total defense (312.7 – 5th in SAC / 39th in NCAA II), turnover margin (+4 – 3rd in SAC / 45th in NCAA II) and turnovers gained (17 – 3rd in SAC / 45th in NCAA II).
Sophomore linebacker Greg Williams is the SAC’s top tackler with 92 stops (10.2 tpg – 11th in NCAA II) and has recorded 10-plus tackles in six of his last eight games including career-high 17 stops at Wingate which are tied for the ninth-most ever by a Pioneer. He has tallied 7.0 tackles for loss (-23 yds) this year to go with a forced fumble, an interception and a pass break-up.
During his 19-game career at Tusculum, Williams has totaled 114 tackles including 9.0 for loss (-29 yds) with 2.0 sacks (-11 yds).
Junior safety Kevin Jordan is second on the team with 74 tackles (8th in SAC), including a TU-leading 38 solo hits (6th in SAC). Jordan has forced a team-best three fumbles (2nd in SAC / 18th in NCAA II) and recorded a school-record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. He has made two interceptions this season to go along with a tackle for loss.
Jimi Olarinde is third on the team with 60 tackles including a career-high 11 stops against Catawba. In his last home game vs UVA Wise, he made a career-best 4.0 tackles for loss with two QB hurries and blocked a field goal. He leads the team with 13.5 tackles for loss (3rd in SAC / 20th in NCAA II) with 5.0 sacks (5th in SAC), five QB hurries, forced two fumbles (7th in SAC), recovered another and blocked a field goal.
During his 33-game college career, Olarinde has posted 100 tackles with 21.5 for loss (-106 yds) and 10.0 sacks (-77 yds) to go along with an interception and three blocked kicks.
Sophomore defensive back Justin Thomas is fourth on the team with 49 tackles to go along with three interceptions (4th in SAC). Thomas has accounted for a tackle for loss and five passes defended.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Judah Knight is second in the SAC in interceptions and passes defended. His four interceptions are ranked 25th in the country including his two-pick performance against UVA Wise. His 15 passes defended are the fifth-most in Division II and are already tied for the fourth-most by a Pioneer in a single-season.
Knight has posted 44 tackles including 30 solo hits and returned a fumble for a 20-yard touchdown at Wingate.
Muskingum University transfer Nathan Thomas has made 43 tackles on the defensive line, including 12.5 for loss (6th in SAC / 28th in NCAA II) with 5.0 sacks. Last week at Lenoir-Rhyne, he posted eight tackles including a school-record 5.0 for loss against the Bears.
Thomas recovered a pair of fumbles against Anderson and followed with four stops with 1.5 sacks and a pass break-up against Catawba. His two fumble recoveries this year are second in the SAC and 15th in Division II.
Senior linebacker Cameron Garnett is seventh with 41 tackles including 5.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He has totaled 72 tackles in his 19-game career at Tusculum including 6.0 for loss (-17 yds) and 3.0 sacks (-10 yds).
Redshirt freshman punter Nathan Holbrook is second in the conference averaging 43.1 yards per punt (17th in NCAA II). He has pinned the opposition inside the 20 on nine occasions and has 10 punts covering 50 yards or more including a season-long 59-yarder.
Greeneville junior Quinton Brandon has handled the kickoff duties and field goal kicking for the Pioneers, while Johnson City sophomore Max Turan is manning the placekicking duties where he is 29-of-30 on his extra points this year. Turan has connected on 47 of his 49 career PAT’s which gives him a school-record 95.9 success rate so far. Last week at Newberry he had his 29-game consecutive extra points streak halted.
Cam Ferguson leads the TU kickoff return unit where he is averaging 23.2 yards (6th in SAC) on his 13 returns. Ferguson returned 19 kickoffs while at Carson-Newman for a 26.2 yards per return average including a 92-yard touchdown two years ago.
Ashton Hagans has been shining on the TU punt return squad where he is averaging 20.4 yards per return. He opened the season with a 53-yarder for a touchdown against Bluefield State.
SCOUTING CARSON-NEWMAN
The Carson-Newman Eagles provide the opposition for this week’s South Atlantic Conference clash at Pioneer Field.
It has been a remarkable season for first-year head coach Tyler Almond in his inaugural campaign at Mossy Creek.
Carson-Newman opened with four consecutive victories over Tiffin (41-38), Thomas (44-0), Wingate (24-23) and UVA Wise (42-7). The Eagles momentum was stopped briefly by a 10-6 home loss to Mars Hill. But C-N followed with four straight victories over Lenoir-Rhyne (20-17 OT), Anderson (29-13), Emory & Henry (31-10) and Catawba (41-7). Last week’s 23-21 home loss against Newberry put a damper on the SAC Championship celebration. But a win this week in Greeneville over their in-state rival, would give the Eagles their first conference title in 17 years.
The C-N running attack is back with a vengeance as it is churning out 312.9 rushing yards per contest, which is tops in the SAC and third-best in NCAA Division II. Twenty-one (21) different players have been credited with a carry led by Josh Adams who has rushed for 619 yards on 115 carries and seven touchdowns (4th in SAC). In his eight games, he has rushed for 77.4 yards per game (2nd in SAC / 38th in NCAA II).
Freshman quarterback Shooby Coleman has run for four touchdowns while passing for another. He has posted 293 rushing yards this season averaging 3.8 yards per carry. Junior Malaki Dowell has also scored four rushing TDs while averaging 9.6 yards per carry in his 10 games. He has rushed for 289 yards on 30 attempts.
The Eagles have scored 33 rushing touchdowns this season, while four touchdowns have come via the pass. In fact, only three Eagles have recorded a reception this season including Don Bradley (5 rec., 64 yds, 2 TD), Jacob Dalton (4 rec., 131 yds, TD) and Wes Harper (2 rec., 86 yds, TD).
As potent as Carson-Newman is offensively, it has been the defense that has the Eagles in SAC title contention. Carson-Newman leads the SAC in scoring defense (14.8 ppg – 7th in NCAA II), total defense (258.6 – 7th in NCAA II), sacks (2.8 spg – 15th in NCAA II), interceptions (14 – 9th in NCAA II), turnover margin (+10 – 10th in NCAA II), turnovers gained (20 – 18th in NCAA II) and defensive TDs (2 – 31st in NCAA II).
Junior safety Caleb Benton leads the Eagles with three interceptions, while the quartet of Dre’von Hollis, Isaiah Cane, Jerron Blakely and Jacob Mattison have made two picks apiece.
Junior linebacker Terry Lemon leads the team in tackles with his 52 stops including four for loss and one sack. Junior defensive end Martavis Mason is second with his 48 tackles including 9.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Senior defensive lineman Jaxson Hickson and Blakely are tied for third with 37 stops each. Hickson is the team’s top player behind the line of scrimmage where he has made 13.0 tackles for loss (4th in SAC / 24th in NCAA II) with 6.5 sacks (2nd in SAC / 23rd in NCAA II).
Junior kicker Bennett Smith is the Eagles’ top scorer where he is averaging 6.4 points per contest (2nd in SAC). Of his 64 points, 30 have come on his 10 field goals where he has been impressive going 10-of-13 and is a perfect 6-of-6 on his kicks of 40 or longer. He has also been nearly flawless going 34-of-35 on extra points.
Junior punter Grayson Campbell is averaging 39.5 yards on his 40 punts this season including 15 inside the 20 and 19 fair catches.
Cane is averaging 13.2 yards on his 13 punt returns which is the top average for players with 10 or more per game.
Also on special teams, the Eagles have blocked four kicks this season including two by Jesse Combs.
WHAT’S GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GAME
This week is Senior Day as well Military Appreciation Day at Pioneer Field
The Pioneer Club Tailgate is located under the big tent at the corner of Shiloh Road and Pioneer Way on the outdoor basketball courts. Pioneer Club Tailgate starts at 11:45 a.m. and for more information, please contact Rasmus Nylander, Director of Athletic Development & Revenue Generation at (423) 636-7331 or email: [email protected]. The official meal provider for all Pioneer Club Football Tailgates is Texas Roadhouse of Greeneville.
The “Pioneer Walk” will start in front of the Niswonger Student Commons and proceed down Pioneer Way, crossing Shiloh Road and will turn right at the service road between Pioneer Field and the Nichols Tennis Complex.
There will be various promotional events and games throughout Saturday afternoon’s football contest including: Old Oak Field Goal Challenge; Texas Roadhouse “Peanut Stampede”; Smoothie King Run; Name That Tune and the Zaxby’s Fan of the Game.
Seniors for the Tusculum cheerleading squad and the football team will be honored in pre-game ceremonies beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Veterans will be recognized in pre-game festivities prior to the game at approximately 12:45 p.m.
TICKETS
Fans may purchase tickets on-line through HomeTown Ticketing on the Tusculum Athletic web site at: www.TusculumPioneers.com/Tickets.
All ticket purchases (on-line and in-person) are CREDIT CARD ONLY. Cash WILL NOT be accepted at the gate. Gates open this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Admission for Tusculum home football games is $15 for all entrants. Admission is $10 for adults 65 and older and for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under will be admitted free. Tusculum students will be admitted free and a valid Tusculum ID is required.
This Saturday is Tusculum’s annual Military Appreciation Game as all veterans and U.S. military personnel will be admitted FREE with a valid military/veteran ID.
Spectators using HomeTown Ticketing can choose to print tickets at home or use mobile entry tickets at the gate. Tickets are available on-line at www.TusculumPioneers.com/Tickets.
PARKING
Parking for Tusculum football games is FREE and on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tusculum students and fans are asked to utilize the main stadium parking lot behind Pioneer Field and Pioneer Park as well as other available parking lots on campus.
VISITING FANS are asked to utilize the South parking lot by the Indoor Practice Facility. Visiting fans will have easier access to the South Entrance and the visiting grandstand area.
Fans are asked to utilize the clearly marked spots in the parking lot. Parking is not permitted at curbside or in grass areas
FOLLOW THE GAME
Tusculum fans can follow the action with video and audio links, along with live statistics at www.TusculumPioneers.com.
The “Voice of the Pioneers” Brian Stayton along with former TU quarterback Matthew Palazzo ’25 will describe all action with the radio pre-game show beginning at 1 p.m.
The radio call of the game will be available locally on WSMG Radio on 95.5 FM and 1450 AM, as well as online at https://jewel955.com/listenlive with kickoff at 2 p.m. from Pioneer Field. The In-The-Booth Audiocast will be live-streamed on the GreeneSportsZone YouTube page along with the GreeneSportsZone and Radio Greeneville Facebook pages.
