GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Tusculum Pioneers return home this Saturday as the Sons of Davy Crockett welcome the Anderson Trojans to the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field. Kickoff this Saturday begins at 2 p.m.
Tusculum (2-1, 1-0 SAC) is coming off last week’s thrilling 28-26 win at Emory & Henry as the Pioneers snapped an 11-game South Atlantic Conference losing streak while also posting its first-ever win at Emory & Henry.
Tusculum quarterback Tedros Gleaton accounted for two touchdowns, while the defense, led by linebacker Greg Williams and defensive back Judah Knight, thwarted a game-tying two-point conversion in the fourth quarter while also forcing a turnover on downs in the final minute to seal the victory.
Anderson (2-1, 1-0) was also victorious in its league-opener last week as the Trojans came away with a 39-21 road victory at UVA Wise.
AU signal caller Wilson Edwards passed for 308 yards and four touchdowns, went 10-of-15 on third down conversions while the defense recorded four sacks in the victory.
Tusculum has forced five turnovers this season while the Pioneers are one of eight teams remaining in NCAA Division II to have yet to have a lost turnover this year. The Trojans lead the SAC with six turnovers gained, while only committing three miscues for a plus-3 turnover margin.
THE SERIES
This week will be the third meeting on the gridiron between the Pioneers and Trojans.
Tusculum was victorious in the 2024 inaugural encounter, winning 30-28 in Greeneville for head coach Billy Taylor’s first win as a collegiate head coach.
TU receiver Corey Moraux’s school-record 90-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Matthew Palazzo in the fourth quarter proved to be the winning score.
In the second encounter, Anderson exacted revenge with a 30-0 shutout victory at Younts Stadium. Quarterback Tyler Wesley threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans scored on its first five possessions and built a 24-0 lead at halftime.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
With three games in the books for the Tusculum Pioneers, the Black and Orange returns home to face off against Anderson in a battle of the SAC-unbeatens.
Tusculum opened the year with a 42-7 win over Bluefield State on Aug. 27. In that game, the TU defense forced four first half turnovers, all setting up touchdowns including a 100-yard interception return by Kevin Jordan and a 53-yard punt return from Ashton Hagans. Thirty-five (35) of their 42 points came in the second quarter alone, a new TU record.
Tusculum followed with a short trip to Johnson City to take on NCAA-FCS East Tennessee State University where the Bucs came away with a 48-14 setback to the Buccaneers.
Last week, Tusculum overcame an early 7-0 deficit, opened the second half with a 14-3 run and held off a furious fourth quarter charge in a 28-26 win at Emory & Henry.
The Tusculum offense continues to feature its option ground which has the Pioneers averaging 224.0 rushing yards per game, which is the second-best average in the SAC and 22nd in NCAA Division II.
Quarterback Tedros Gleaton paces the Tusculum offense where he is rushing for a team-best 68.7 yards per contest which is best amongst SAC signal callers and fourth overall in the league. He has totaled 250 passing yards while completing 46.4 percent of his pass attempts with a pair of touchdowns. Gleaton had a successful TU debut vs Bluefield State as he ran for a team-best 74 yards on nine carries. He also went 2-for-3 for 51 passing yards including a touchdown, all in the first half before coming out of the game at halftime. Last week, he was responsible for two touchdowns with a rushing score and a 59-yard scoring strike for the Pioneers.
Gleaton began his collegiate career with the U.S. Naval Academy, before transferring to Carson-Newman where he played the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In 2025, he appeared in seven contests for the Eagles and was the team’s third-leading rusher with 374 yards and rushed for five touchdowns. He completed 26-of-53 passes for C-N for 458 yards and six TD tosses.
Former Carson-Newman teammates Cam Ferguson and Keithan Washington join Gleaton in the offensive backfield this year.
Washington is second on the team in rushing this year with 87 yards on 13 carries for a team-best 6.7 yards per carry average. He has scored two rushing touchdowns in his first three outings, including last week’s 21-yard TD run at Emory & Henry which gave TU its first lead of the game.
Washington played in 19 games in his two years at Carson-Newman as he scored a pair of touchdowns and ran for 171 yards on 15 carries. In the opener against Bluefield State, he recorded three rushing attempts for 19 yards, including a six-yard TD run in the second quarter as Tusculum took a 21-0 lead.
Ferguson accomplished a personal milestone last week as he has rushed for 1,000 yards in his collegiate career including his 919 yards in his first three seasons at Carson-Newman. This year, he has 20 rushing attempts for 81 yards and two touchdowns, posting a rushing TD in each of his first TU outings.
Redshirt freshman Teryntino Brown-Freeman played in the final four games of the 2025 season for the Pioneers as he totaled 180 yards on 33 carries averaging 5.5 yards per attempt with a touchdown. In 2026, he has rushed for 77 yards on 20 carries.
Former Western Kentucky University running back Ja’von McMahan has appeared in all three games this year where he has 67 rushing yards on 20 attempts including a TD.
Senior Ashton Hagans is one of the top targets when Tusculum goes to the air. He has appeared in 24 career games where he has collected 20 receptions for 268 yards and seven touchdowns including his career-long catch of 59 yards for a score last week at Emory & Henry. This year, he has posted five catches for 118 yards and two TDs. He has also handled TU’s punt returns where he leads the SAC with his 17.0 average including a 53-yard TD in the season-opener.
Junior Javon Richardson has yet to record a reception in his three outings this year, but has been targeted on numerous occasions. In 2025, he played in all 10 games where he made 10 catches for 140 receiving yards and a TD.
The Tusculum offensive line is anchored by junior Gabe McLamb. McLamb has been named a SAC Player to Watch in each of the last two seasons. He has played in 21 straight contests in the offensive trenches, including all 10 games in 2025 where he was the starting right guard.
Junior Matt Nunley started in all 10 contests last year at right tackle for Tusculum and earned the start in the first two games this season. He went down to injury on the first play from scrimmage at ETSU two weeks ago and missed the Emory & Henry game. He is listed as day-to-day but is expected to return.
Five true freshmen have stepped up so far this season and have worked their way into significant playing time in the TU offensive front including four of the five starting spots.
Rookie Caleb Wray is the starting left tackle for the Black & Orange. He was a two-time All-Region selection at McEachern High School in Georgia. Wray’s prep teammate DJ Elkins has emerged as the starting left guard. He also garnered All-Region distinction as the duo helped McEachern capture a Region Championship last year.
Freshman Javeon Hinton is the starting center for Tusculum after serving as a three-year starter at Newnan High School. He was a two-time All-Region performer and was considered one of the best offensive linemen in the state.
Jermichael Hardy took over at the right tackle position when Nunley went down and played very well against ETSU. He earned the starting nod and went the distance last week at Emory & Henry. Rookie Delhart Courtney has also been filling in when needed in the front five.
Sophomore Brady Rinkus has earned the start at tight end in the first three games this year. He has seen action in 11 contests over the last two years, including eight career starts.
The offensive line leads the SAC in fewest sacks allowed (0.33 – 5th in NCAA II) and tackles for loss allowed (3.33 – 13th in NCAA II) per game.
The Tusculum defense continues to be a steading force in the early part of the 2026 campaign. Through three games, the Pioneers have forced five turnovers, resulting in four touchdowns. TU’s +5 turnover margin leads the conference and is ranked 11th in the country. The Pioneers are averaging 2.33 sacks per game (3rd in SAC / 47th in NCAA II), while TU’s 7.0 tackles for loss per game average is also third in the league and 31st in DII. Tusculum’s secondary has recorded four interceptions which are third in the league and 11th-most in the nation.
Sophomore linebacker Greg Williams is the team’s top tackler with 27 stops (3rd in SAC) and has recorded 10 tackles in each of his last two games. He has also posted 2.5 tackles for loss (-6 yds).
Williams played in all 10 games as a rookie in 2025 where he finished with 22 tackles including two for loss and a sack. He led all players with seven tackles in the season-opener including 1.5 for loss.
Junior defensive back Kevin Jordan is second on the team with his 16 tackles, including a TU-leading 11 solo hits. Jordan has forced a fumble and recorded a school-record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, both coming vs Bluefield State. For his efforts, he was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Sophomore defensive back Justin Thomas is third on the team with 15 tackles to go along with a SAC-best two interceptions (14th in NCAA II). Thomas has accounted for 1.0 tackle for loss.
Carson-Newman transfer Jimi Olarinde has made 13 tackles in his first three games with the Pioneers. He has made two tackles for loss with a 1.5 sacks (4th in SAC).
Olarinde played in 10 games at C-N last year where he made 23 stops including 5.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks. In his 25-game college career, he has 53 tackles with 10 for loss and seven sacks to go along with an interception and two blocked kicks. Last week at Emory & Henry, he tallied six tackles with a sack which came on the first play of the final defensive series of the game.
Senior Cameron Garnett is tied for fourth with 13 tackles including 1.5 for loss and a sack. The 2026 SAC Player to Watch has totaled 44 tackles in his 13-game career at Tusculum including 4.0 for loss (-12 yds) and two sacks (-6 yds).
Kupakwashe Zvandaziva has been a force on the defensive front where he has made 12 tackles including 2.0 for loss.
Muskingum University transfer Nathan Thomas has been playing well in the defensive line for the Pioneers through his first two games. He had an outstanding debut three weeks ago where he made two stops and forced a three-and-out with a second quarter sack. He followed with five tackles at ETSU.
Thomas earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference first team honors at Muskingum as he totaled 50 tackles including 10.5 for loss and five sacks. The 2025 NCAA Division III All-Region honoree forced a fumble and recovered another to go along with two pass break-ups. In his two seasons at Muskingum, he posted 72 total hits with an interception and two forced fumbles. He also shined in the classroom and is an Academic All-District first team honoree.
Senior linebacker TJ Jingozian has made eight tackles this year including a team-leading 3.5 for loss. In his 30-game career, he has made 63 stops with 10.0 for loss and three sacks, to go along with a forced fumble and two blocked kicks.
Also contributing on the defensive line is SAC Player to Watch Malachi Jim-Lawson. In his three seasons with the Pioneers, he has accounted for 42 total tackles including 5.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks. He has forced a fumble and broken up two passes in his 19-game TU career.
Thomas More University transfer Jean Richemond has made contributions at the defensive tackle position. Both of his tackles this year have come behind the line of scrimmage including a sack last week at ETSU. He played last year at Thomas More where he made eight tackles including one for loss in his nine games with the Saints. He preceded that with three seasons at Concordia University Ann Arbor where he amassed 41 total tackles in his 22-games there.
Redshirt freshman Nathan Holbrook has emerged as the starting punter for the Pioneers through the first three games of 2025. His 45.3 punting average currently leads the conference and is ranked 14th in the country. Last Saturday, he averaged 46.5 yards on his six punts including a critical 58-yarder that flipped the field on the final defensive series of the game. He was named the SAC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Greeneville junior Quinton Brandon, last year’s starting punter, is handling the kickoff duties for the Pioneers in 2026.
Sophomore Max Turan is manning the placekicking duties where he is a perfect 12-for-12 on his extra points. He missed a 42-yard field goal in his lone attempt of the season. He has connected on 30 of his 31 career PAT’s which gives him a school-record 96.8 success rate so far and enters this week having made 15 consecutive PATs.
The duo of Cam Ferguson and Keithan Washington lead the kickoff return units. Ferguson returned 19 kickoffs while at Carson-Newman for a 26.2 yards per return average including a 92-yard touchdown two years ago. This year, he is averaging 20.5 yards on his four kickoff returns.
True freshman Zachary Radsicki has earned the start at long snapper for the Pioneers. He garnered All-State 6A honorable mention laurels at Sickles High School.
SCOUTING ANDERSON
The Anderson Trojans provide the opposition for this week’s South Atlantic Conference contest at Pioneer Field.
Head coach Bobby Lamb’s club comes to Greeneville winning its last two games including last week’s 39-21 SAC opening victory at UVA Wise. The Trojans passed for over 300 yards and the defense recorded four sacks in the victory.
Anderson, who is playing in its third season as a NCAA Division II football playing member, opened 2026 with a respectable 20-3 loss at NCAA-FCS Furman. The Trojans followed in its home opener with a solid 21-14 victory over NAIA powerhouse Keiser, who entered the preseason as the No. 2 team in the country. In that game, AU scored 21 straight points in the second half to secure the win.
Coach Lamb has built the Anderson program from scratch when he was named to the Electric City post in 2021. In his 19 seasons as a head coach, he has recorded over 100 wins spanning stops at Furman (2002-2010), Mercer (2013-2019) and Anderson (2024-present).
Quarterback Wilson Edwards has started all three games for the Trojans this year where he has passed for 486 yards (6th in SAC) with four touchdowns (4th in SAC / 43rd in NCAA II). He has completed 59.3 percent (4th in SAC) of his passes, going 48-of-81 with zero interceptions. Three of his four TD tosses came last week against UVA Wise.
The Anderson running attack, which averages 121.7 yards per game, is led by Zaidon Gunn who has rushed for 202 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns. He is averaging 67.3 yards per game (5th in SAC) and 8.8 yards per carry.
Darren Lloyd is second in rushing with 67 yards on 25 attempts with a TD. Lloyd has also made seven receptions.
Edward’s top target has been Zay Williams who has posted 10 receptions for 109 yards and a TD. Kenneth Brown is second with eight grabs for 105 yards. Lennix Valarie leads the team in receiving yards with 112 on just four catches with a touchdown.
Carter Wit leads the Anderson defense with his 28 tackles (14 solos, 14 assists) to along with four passes defended and two interceptions (1st in SAC / 14th in NCAA II). His 9.3 tackles per game average is second in the SAC while his 4.67 solo tackles per game average is fifth in the league.
Alex Ledford is second with 18 tackles including a sack, two interceptions and a pass break-up. Cross Killen is third with 15 stops, while the trio of Chase Brightharp, Aaron Bryan and Daniel Williams have made 13 tackles each.
Ross Burnette handles the placekicking duties where he has connected a 28-yard field and has gone 5-of-7 on extra points.
Samuel Millis is the punter where he averaged 39.2 yards per kick including 10 fair catches, seven punts inside the opponents’ 20 and two punts over 50 yards.
WHAT’S GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GAME
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 game including: Old Oak Field Goal Challenge; Texas Roadhouse Halftime Challenge; Smoothie King Run; Name That Tune and the Zaxby’s Fan of the Game.
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 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
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 1 p.m. from William B. Greene Jr. Stadium. The In-The-Booth Audiocast will be live-streamed on the GreeneSportsZone YouTube page along with the GreeneSportsZone and Radio Greeneville Facebook pages.
