GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Brayden Phillips completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Hunter as time expired to lead the Orange Team to a 13-7 win over TU Black on Saturday afternoon during Tusculum University’s Spring Football Game at Pioneer Field.
Over 500 fans were in attendance for TU’s annual spring game and were treated to a thriller during the inaugural spring season for head coach Billy Taylor.
Coach Taylor and his coaching staff got one final chance to evaluate the Pioneers as the spring season culminated with TU’s annual intersquad scrimmage.
On fourth down and goal with five seconds remaining, TU Orange went for it as Phillips rolled out to his right and found Reggie Hunter in the back corner of the end zone for the game-winner as time expired.
With the score tied and TU Black driving at midfield, TU Orange’s Rashaad Watson recovered a fumble with two minutes remaining to set up TU Orange.
Running back Jojo Restall converted a key first down moving the ball to the TU Black 35-yard line. Phillips would have to scramble on the next play and posted positive yardage to the 30. Phillips followed by completing a 25-yard strike to tight end Tanner Oliver who was pushed out of bounds at the 5 to set up first and goal and the late game heroics.
Jalen Hunt gave TU Orange a 7-0 lead in the second quarter as he plunged in from three yards out for the score.
It would remain that way until early in the fourth quarter as TU Black signal caller Richard Hunter orchestrated a drive and completed a 39-yard pass to Corey Moraux who made and acrobatic catch and was tackled at the one-yard line. From there, sophomore running back Dominic Vance ran it up the middle to tie the game at 7-7.
Both teams exchanged possessions during the final stanza as the TU Orange defense recorded the only takeaway of the afternoon with Watson’s fumble recovery.
The Pioneers will open the 2024 fall season on Sep. 7 when Tusculum travels to West Alabama.
