GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Tusculum University football team will kick off its 27th season in the South Atlantic Conference this Saturday night when the Pioneers (1-0, 0-0 SAC) host nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field. Kick-off time is 6 p.m.
Tusculum is coming off a convincing 49-23 win over Bluefield State while the Bears (0-1, 0-0 SAC) dropped a tough 48-21 road loss at eighth-ranked West Florida.
Tusculum enters this week’s league opener as the top rushing team in the country averaging 468 yards per game. Lenoir-Rhyne, who is ranked 24th in the AFCA Coaches Poll and 20th in the D2Football.com Media Poll, has the SAC’s No. 1 passing offense, posting 310 yards per contest (11th in NCAA II).
In the victory over Bluefield State, Tusculum boasted three 100-yard rushers for the first time in program history. The running back duo of Lex Dinwiddie and John Celestin rushed for 145 and 121 yards, respectively, while quarterback Buddy Taylor had 105 rushing yards including two touchdowns in the win.
Of Tusculum’s 66 offensive plays, 10 were explosive plays covering 20 or more yards.
THE SERIES
For the 29th time since 1924, Tusculum and Lenoir-Rhyne will square off on the collegiate gridiron. Lenoir-Rhyne owns a 17-11 edge in the series winning 14 of the last 16 match-ups. The Bears had posted eight straight wins over Tusculum until TU snapped that run with a 28-23 win in the 2021 SAC Spring Championship game in Hickory.
Lenoir-Rhyne won the first meeting of the series on Nov. 15, 1924 as the Bears blanked Tusculum 6-0 at College Field in Hickory. The two teams wouldn’t meet again until 74 years later at Pioneer Field as Tusculum posted its third straight win to open the 1998 season with a 20-5 home victory over the Bears.
LR won the first South Atlantic Conference meeting in 1999 in Hickory when Ryan Wilson scored the game-winning TD with 4:09 left in the game in a 21-14 L-R win in Hickory. Tusculum got its first league win over the Bears the following season when D.J. Starling blocked a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter as the Pioneers held on for a 10-9 win in the first game at the newly renovated Pioneer Field (Sep. 30, 2000).
The Tusculum win sparked five straight victories over the Bears from 2000-2004 and a stretch where the Pioneers went 8-1 over Lenoir-Rhyne in a nine-year span.
Lenoir-Rhyne has won four straight games in the series dating back to 2021. The Bears have not lost to Tusculum in Greeneville since 2011 (5-game winning streak).
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
For the first time in four seasons, Tusculum enters week No. 2 of the football campaign undefeated after last Saturday’s 49-23 win at Bluefield State.
Offensively, Tusculum racked up a dozen offensive plays including seven alone in the opening quarter. TU finished the contest with 562 total offensive yards and scored seven touchdowns, including six rushing scores which are tied for the third-most in school history.
Tusculum offensive attack is ranked second in the nation (NCAA II) while its 49.0 points per game average is fifth-best in the country.
Transfer quarterback Buddy Taylor had an outstanding Tusculum debut last week. The 5-11, 165-pound signal caller from River Ridge, Louisiana spent the last three seasons at NCAA II Arkansas-Monticello where he logged 14 games under center. He accounted for 1,300 yards of offense with the Boll Weevils to go along with eight touchdowns (5 pass, 3 rush).
On Saturday, he rushed for 105 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground. He also went 6-of-7 with 94 passing yards including a TD.
The running back duo of John Celestin and Lex Dinwiddie got the starting nod last week in the offensive backfield in Tusculum’s option attack.
Dinwiddie ran for a career-high 145 yards on 14 carries last week, while Celestin also established a career-best with his 121-yard outing (13 att.) including a TD.
Eight different Pioneers recorded an official rushing attempt last week as redshirt freshman Jerome Newland ran for 43 yards on three carries including a touchdown. He also hauled in a 55-yard reception.
Junior Otasowie Dion had a pair of rushes for 28 yards including a TD. Kam Williams (13 yds), ETSU transfer Javon Richardson (7 yds) and senior Dominic Vance (4 yds) also had carries for the Pioneers. Rookie Ike Perry recovered a TU fumble and scored a rushing score for the Black & Orange.
Senior wideout Ashton Hagans had a pair of catches for 17 yards including an 11-yard touchdown toss from Taylor. Richardson had two receptions for 19 yards and tight end had one grab for three yards.
The offensive line is anchored by SAC Player to Watch Gabe McLamb. The 6-3, 295-pound sophomore from Jacksonville, Florida made nine appearances in the offensive trenches from a year ago.
Junior Nehemiah Storey is the starting center as the 6-1, 285-pound native of Rockwood, Tennessee played in seven games last season for Tusculum.
Also back up front are junior tackle Chris Sweeney (Jr., 6-6, 300, West Palm Beach, Fla.), junior guard Jeff Linton (6-5, 315, Rockingham, N.C.) and redshirt freshman tackle Matt Nunley (6-2, 255, Hixson, Tenn.).
Linton got the start in the opener but was injured in the first half and did not return for the remainder of the game. He is listed as probable on the depth chart and will be a game-time decision on Saturday for the LR game.
Also looking to contribute this season will be Bethel University sophomore transfer Ramirez Young (6-3, 285, Smyrna, Tenn.), junior Conrad Smith (6-4, 275, Dunwoody, Ga.) and the true freshmen duo of Donovan Dark (6-0, 290, Niceville, Fla.) and Henry Chambers (6-6, 280, Maryville, Tenn.).
Dark took over for Linton when he went down with injury and had an outstanding debut on the line.
Tusculum’s defensive depth chart includes a healthy blend of returners to go along with an infusion of new talent with 10 transfers including six student-athletes from the Division I ranks.
Anchoring the defensive line is senior tackle Solomon Maosa. The 6-3, 270-pound native of Nashville, Tennessee, played in 10 games where he totaled 13 tackles from a year ago. He is listed as a SAC Player to Watch and came to TU last season after starring two years at Cumberland University. Maosa had a tackle and a QB hurry in the season-opener vs Bluefield State.
Sophomore defensive end Malachi Jim-Lawson (6-4, 260, London, England) appeared in eight games for Tusculum and totaled 25 tackles including four for loss, one sack and tied for the team-lead with four quarterback hurries. On Saturday, he posted two sacks and forced a fumble.
Earning the other starting defensive end spot is junior Dylan Horne. Horne’s season was halted early due to injury for the 6-3, 245-pound product from Ocoee, Florida. He had an outstanding return as he tied for the team lead with seven tackles which included two for loss and two QB hurries.
Southern Connecticut State transfer Jamaine Galloway enters his first TU season and is one of the starting tackles. The 6-2, 290-pound senior from West Haven, Connecticut earned a spot on the Northeast-10 Conference Rookie Team and later was a solid presence on the SCSU defense. He recorded a solo tackle for the Pioneers on Saturday
Also joining the defensive front is Murray State University transfer Colbe Haddox (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and former ETSU defensive end Jayson Graham (Jonesborough, Tenn.). Haddox, a 6-2, 245-pound junior, played two seasons with the Racers where he played in 11 career games. Graham saw action last year with the Buccaneers and was an All-Region and All-Conference standout during his prep career at Clinton High School. Haddox did not see action against Bluefield State but Graham played in several series and finished with a pair of solo stops.
Sophomore Taeshawn Clark (6-3, 260, Clarksville, Tenn.) is back in the TU defensive trenches where he totaled 11 tackles including three hits behind the line of scrimmage during his redshirt freshman season in 2024.
True freshman Malachi Jefferson, a 6-0, 275-pound native of Charleston, South Carolina, was a three-time All-State and four-time All-Region honoree at James Island High School.
Also returning up front is 6-2, 240-pound senior Aiden Dark. The Niceville, Florida native tallied 30 tackles in 2024 including a team-best 10 for loss. He also had two sacks and four QB hurries. Dark did not play in the opener but is expected to return to the starting line-up this week.
The linebacker corps is a talented and deep one for Coach Billy Taylor’s Pioneers with returning starter Rashad Watson anchoring the group. The 5-11, 205-pound junior from Apopka, Florida, led the team last season with his 64 tackles (32 solos, 32 assists) as he started in every game. He tallied six tackles for loss with one sack, while also posting four passes defended including an interception. Watson led TU with seven tackles at Bluefield State including five solo hits. He also tallied one sacks and had a pass break-up.
Two mid-year transfers will join Watson on the attack in linebackers Tre Mobley and Cam Garnett.
Mobley, a 6-1, 200-pound senior from Ocala, Florida, played the last two seasons at Webber International where he recorded 98 career tackles (62 solos, 36 assists) with a dozen hits for loss, one sack, nine passes defended, one interception, forced two fumbles, recovered a pair of fumbles and blocked a kick. For his efforts, he has been named a SAC Player to Watch. Mobley was third on the team on Saturday with six hits including one for loss and a pass break-up.
Garnett, a 6-1, 230-pound senior from Harlem, Georgia, played the past four seasons at ETSU where he logged action in 23 contests. In his TU debut, he was credited with a pair of tackles.
True freshman linebacker Greg Williams carried his fall camp performance into Saturday’s opener where he finished with two solo hits. The 6-0, 210-pound rookie from Cincinnati, Ohio was and All-Southwest Ohio selection at Princeton High School where he posted 80 tackles with 18 for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception in his final prep campaign.
Junior linebacker TJ Jingozian (Ocala, Fla.) finished fifth on the squad last year with his 31 tackles including five for loss and a sack. He has seen action in 18 games during his TU career where he has also been credited with a forced fumble and a blocked kick. He saw action on defense and special teams where he tallied two tackles.
New to the linebacker group is Lyon College transfer Mason Davis. The 5-11, 210-pound graduate student from Little Rock, Arkansas, earned All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference first team honors. During his career at Lyon College, he recorded 212 tackles which are the second-most in program history. He also totaled 28 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass break-ups and returned six interceptions for touchdowns. In his TU debut last week, he accounted for two solo tackles.
The defensive secondary will be balanced with returning players as well as veteran leadership from four-year and two-year programs.
Senior strong safety David Alston (Groveland, Florida) recorded 26 tackles last season including two for loss. Alston contributed one tackle in the win at Bluefield State.
Back are sophomore cornerbacks Xavier Gunn and Dayquan Diston. Gunn, a 6-0, 165-pounder from Deerfield Beach, Florida, redshirted last year after making three appearances in his 2023 rookie season including his first collegiate tackle vs Lenoir-Rhyne in the South Atlantic Conference Championship Game. Gunn had three tackles last week and had an interception called back due to a penalty.
Diston, a 5-11, 175-pound native from Lake Butler, Florida, recorded 12 stops in five games last year including 10 solo hits. Diston was an All-Area standout at Union County High School as he was the team leader with seven interceptions.
Junior Jaden Outar comes to Tusculum from Iowa Central Community College. The 5-10, 190-pound native of Miami, Florida started his collegiate career at NCAA-FBS Florida Atlantic University after stellar career at Palmetto High School. He tallied one tackle in the opener.
One of the most experienced of the new additions is free safety Jahaad Scales. The 6-0, 195-pound senior from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, played the previous two campaigns at Wofford College after playing 11 games at Old Dominion University.
Missouri Valley transfer DJ Dailey, who will also see action at free safety, was named a SAC Player to Watch this fall. The 5-11, 170-pound sophomore recorded 19 tackles last year at Missouri Valley to go along with his two interceptions and two pass break-ups. Dailey finished with two tackles and tied a TU single-game record with two interceptions.
Junior Da’Shawn Elder comes to Tusculum after playing three seasons at MTSU. He played in 22 games with the Blue Raiders, following a glowing prep career at Oconee County High School. The 6-0, 215-pound Watkinsville, Georgia product was an All-State performer and two-time Region Player of the Year. During his final prep season, he finished with 62 tackles with eight for loss to go along with six interceptions. He would post a tackle in the opener.
Redshirt freshman Jasec Smith will see playing time at one of the corner positions. The 6-1, 175-pounder from Toccoa, Georgia signed out of high school at Kennesaw State. He was an All-State first team choice at Stephens County HS where he recorded seven interceptions in his senior campaign including two he brought back for touchdowns.
The Tusculum special teams will have an entirely new look with the loss of All-America punter Stefaan Forbes along with the graduation of long-time kicker John Aiden Pittman.
Getting the starting nod at punter is Greeneville native Quinton Brandon. The 6-0, 175-pound sophomore signed with ETSU out of Greeneville High School where he did double-duty at punter and kicker for the Greene Devils. He was the 2023 Region Specialist of the Year as he averaged 40 yards per punt while going 4-of-6 in field goals with a long of 48 yards. He also went 52-of-59 on his extra points and recorded 49 touchbacks on kickoffs. He averaged 30 yards per punt on his two efforts in the opener.
Redshirt freshman Max Turan (Johnson City, Tenn.) is place kicker as he went a perfect 7-of-7 in his collegiate debut. The Science Hill High School product went 4-of-6 in field goals in his senior season with the Hilltoppers. He also went 37-of-39 on extra points during that 2023 season.
Senior Caleb Swinehart is once again handling the long-snapping duties for Tusculum for a second straight season. The 6-3, 220-pound native of Erwin, Tennessee has recorded 15 career outings on TU’s special teams’ unit.
WHAT’S GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GAME
Tusculum fans are asked to show their Pioneer Pride and wear their Black for this week’s home-opener.
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 4 p.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. The Pioneer Walk will begin at 4 p.m.
The first 150 fans to attend Saturday’s game will receive a FREE Chick-Fil-A sandwich card. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
At halftime, we will have the Jersey Mike’s Field Goal Challenge. One lucky fan will have a chance to win some prizes, courtesy of Jersey Mike’s of Greeneville.
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 4:30 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 valid Tusculum ID is required.
Spectators using HomeTown Ticketing can choose to print tickets at home or use mobile entry tickets at the gate.
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
If you can’t make it to Saturday’s game, fans can watch the action on-line at www.TusculumPioneers.com on the Pioneer Sports Network and FloSports.com, the official video stream provider of the South Atlantic Conference.
The “Voice of the Pioneers” Brian Stayton along former Tusculum quarterback Matthew Palazzo ‘25 will describe all the action with the radio pre-game show beginning at 5 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.
