GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Tusculum Pioneers return home this Saturday afternoon when the Sons of Davy Crockett host the UVA Wise Highland Cavaliers for Homecoming 2026. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field.
Besides Homecoming, Saturday is also Tusculum’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game. All Tusculum and UVA Wise fans are encouraged to wear PINK to the game in recognition of this initiative.
Tusculum (3-4, 2-3 SAC) will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 31-14 road loss at Wingate. TU was held to a season-low 122 offensive yards including 50 rushing yards for the league’s No. 2 ground attack.
The Pioneers are rushing for over 200 yards per contest (2nd in SAC / 29th in NCAA II) led by transfer quarterback Tedros Gleaton where he is averaging 61.3 rushing yards per game. He has rushed for 429 yards and six touchdowns (3rd in SAC/44th in NCAA II). He has passed for 762 yards with six TDs (8th in SAC) with only one interception. TU’s 20.05 yards per pass completion average ranks third nationally.
The Tusculum defense has been a menacing one in the league where they are tops with 15 turnovers forced (6th in NCAA II) with two resulting in defensive touchdowns (9th in NCAA II).
TU’s Greg Williams leads the SAC with his 74 tackles (11th in NCAA II), while Jimi Olarinde is the conference leader with five sacks (27th in NCAA II).
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS GAME
Each October, people across the country unite to raise awareness and support for the millions of people affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) reminds us that awareness is important—but it’s our actions that save lives.
THE SERIES
The 17th renewal of the Tusculum / UVA Wise football series will be held this week at Pioneer Field as TU hosts the Cavaliers for Homecoming.
The series is tied at 8-8 as the Pioneers have won six of the last nine meetings, but the Cavs have won back-to-back games entering this week.
September 7, 1991 was a monumental date for both football programs. For Tusculum, it was the program’s first game in 41 years since the University dropped the sport in 1950. For UVA Wise (then Clinch Valley College), it was the first football game in its school’s history. The Cavaliers came away with a 13-8 victory.
Tusculum went 0-10 during that 1991 campaign, but the Pioneers answered in its 1992 season-opener and a rematch with the Cavaliers in Greeneville where TU came away with a 24-13 victory on Sept. 5, the program’s first win since the sport’s reinstatement.
UVA Wise won the 1993 meeting 37-31, before Tusculum answered with a 34-31 win in 1994 at Pioneer Field. The Cavaliers ran a string of three consecutive victories, including back-to-back wins in Greeneville.
TU has won 4 of its last 6 trips to Wise with its 4-game winning streak to the Commonwealth snapped in 2024 in a 35-27 loss to UVA Wise.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
With the second half of their season well underway, the Tusculum Pioneers are back in Greeneville to host UVA Wise for a South Atlantic Conference battle at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field.
After back-to-back 1-9 campaigns over the last two seasons, Tusculum enters this week’s fray with 3-4 worksheet and are in a five-way tie for fifth place in the SAC standings. But TU is only one game out of third place and are two games behind league leaders Carson-Newman and Mars Hill.
Under the leadership of third-year head coach Billy Taylor, the Pioneers have recorded victories over Bluefield State (42-7), Emory & Henry (23-21) and Catawba (27-25). TU’s losses have been to NCAA-FCS East Tennessee State University (48-14), Anderson (14-7) and back-to-back road setbacks to then-No. 21 Mars Hill in four overtimes and last week’s 31-14 loss to Wingate.
Transfer quarterback Tedros Gleaton has emerged as the team-leader on offense where he is the top rusher and passer. He is averaging 170.1 total offensive yards per game (8th in SAC) including 61.3 rushing yards which leads the team and is seventh in the SAC.
Tusculum running game (200.7 ypg) is ranked second in the league and 29th in NCAA II.
Gleaton is averaging 10.6 points responsible per game as he has rushed for a TU-leading six touchdowns (3rd in SAC/44th in NCAA II), while also passing for six TDs (8th in SAC) with one interception. He has passed for 762 yards (9th in SAC) while rushing for 429 yards (5th in SAC).
Two weeks ago, Gleaton accounted for four touchdowns (2 rush, 2 pass) as he established career highs with 106 rushing yards and 193 passing yards against Mars Hill.
Gleaton began his collegiate career with the United States Naval Academy, before transferring to Carson-Newman where he played the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Western Kentucky transfer Ja’Von McMahan is second on the team with his 273 rushing yards including a career-high 123 yards in the Mars Hill game.
Gleaton’s former C-N teammates Cam Ferguson and Keithan Washington are also in the Pioneer backfield in 2026.
In his last home games vs Catawba, Ferguson rushed for a career-high 114 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with a career-best 208 all-purpose yards as he surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for his collegiate career.
Ferguson achieved a personal milestone at the Emory & Henry game as he eclipsed 1,000 career rushing yards. This year, he has 54 carries for 241 yards and four touchdowns (6th in SAC).
Washington is sixth on the roster in rushing this year with 115 yards on 19 attempts for a team-best 6.1 yards per carry average. He has scored two rushing touchdowns in his first six games, including a 21-yard touchdown jaunt at Emory & Henry which gave TU its first lead of the contest.
The wide receiver trio of Ashton Hagans, Zion Job and Javon Richardson has been the top targets for Gleaton this year.
Hagans has made 10 catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns (8th in SAC) this season so far. Last week at Wingate, he hauled in a 54-yard touchdown to put the Pioneers on the board.
Hagans has appeared in 28 career games where he has collected 25 receptions for 367 yards and eight touchdowns including his career-long 59-yard TD catch at Emory & Henry.
Job has made a team-leading 11 receptions for 188 receiving yards including a career-long 77-yarder at Mars Hill.
Richardson has made six grabs for 127 yards averaging a team-best 21.2 yards per catch. He hauled in a 65-yard TD against Catawba in his last home appearance. He has made 16 career receptions for 267 yards and two TDs.
The Tusculum offensive line leads the SAC in fewest sacks allowed (0.71 – 14th in NCAA II) and fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.00 – 22nd in NCAA II) per game.
The TU offensive line is anchored by junior Gabe McLamb. He had played in 22 straight contests in the offensive trenches before that string ended two weeks ago against Catawba and Mars Hill. He returned to the starting line-up last week at Wingate.
Junior Matt Nunley started in all 10 contests in 2025 at right tackle for Tusculum and earned the start in the first two games this year. He went down to injury on the first play from scrimmage at ETSU and missed the Emory & Henry game, before returning to the starting line-up in the Anderson game.
Five true freshmen have stepped up this season and have worked their way into significant playing time in the TU offensive front including four of the five starting spots including Caleb Wray, Javeon Hinton, DJ Elkins, Jermichael Hardy and Delhart Courtney.
Sophomore Brady Rinkus has earned the start at tight end this season. He has seen action in 14 games over the last two years, including 10 career starts.
The Tusculum defense has been outstanding so far this season as the Pioneers are ranked in the top-four in the league in numerous statistical categories including: defensive touchdowns (2 – 1st in SAC/9th in NCAA II), fumble recoveries (6 – 2nd in SAC/17th in NCAA II), interceptions (9 – 2nd in SAC/12th in NCAA II), rushing defense (111.7 ypg – 4th in SAC/31st in NCAA II), sacks (2.71 spg – 1st in SAC/18th in NCAA II), turnover margin (+8 – 1st in SAC/20th in NCAA II) and turnovers gained (15 – 1st in SAC/6th in NCAA II).
Sophomore linebacker Greg Williams is the SAC’s top tackler with 74 stops (10.6 tpg – 11th in NCAA II) and has recorded 10-plus tackles in five of his last six games including career-high 17 last week at Wingate which are tied for the ninth-most ever by a Pioneer. He has also posted 3.5 tackles for loss (-11 yds) this year and posted a fourth quarter interception in the win against Catawba.
During his 17-game career at Tusculum, Williams has totaled 96 tackles including 5.5 for loss (-17 yds) with 1.5 sacks (-9 yds).
Junior defensive back Kevin Jordan is second on the squad with 53 tackles (7th in SAC), including a TU-leading 29 solo hits. Jordan has forced a fumble and recorded a school-record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, both coming against Bluefield State. He tallied his second interception of the season last Saturday at Wingate. He has also forced a pair of fumbles (4th in SAC). Jordan made a career-high 11 tackles vs Anderson and had 10 stops at Mars Hill.
Carson-Newman transfer Jimi Olarinde is third on the team with 45 tackles including a career-high 11 stops against Catawba. He leads the conference with his 5.0 sacks (-42 yds) which are also 27th in the country. He is also tops on the club with his 7.0 tackles for loss (9th in SAC).
During his 29-game college career, Olarinde has posted 85 tackles with 15.0 for loss (-86 yds) and 10.0 sacks (-77 yds) to go along with an interception and two blocked kicks.
Sophomore defensive back Justin Thomas is fourth on the team with 34 tackles to go along with a team-best three interceptions (2nd in SAC/27th in NCAA II). Thomas has accounted for a tackle for loss and a pass break-up.
Senior linebacker Cameron Garnett is fifth with 29 tackles including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He has totaled 60 tackles in his 17-game career at Tusculum including 6.0 for loss (-17 yds) and 3.0 sacks (-10 yds).
Redshirt freshman Judah Knight has emerged as one of the starting cornerbacks for the Pioneers. Knight is second in the conference with his 11 passes defended (10th in NCAA II) including two interceptions and nine pass break-ups. He also has 28 tackles to his credit including a career-high 11 stops last week at Wingate.
Muskingum University transfer Nathan Thomas has been playing well in the defensive front for Tusculum through his first seven games where he has 24 tackles including 5.0 for loss (-26 yds) with 2.5 sacks (-19 yds). He 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 first in the SAC and fifth nationally.
Sophomore linebacker Brock Tankersley has 23 tackles on his ledger to go along with 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. In the Catawba game, he had a career-best eight tackles.
Redshirt freshman Kupakwashe Zvandaziva has been solid on the defensive front where he has made 22 tackles including 2.5 for loss with a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Zavien Bryant has 18 tackles in his seven outings this year. He has been credited with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five pass break-ups including four he had against Catawba, which are tied for the sixth-most by a Pioneer.
Senior linebacker TJ Jingozian has made 12 tackles this year including 3.5 for loss. In his 34-game career, he has made 67 stops with 10.0 for loss and three sacks, to go along with a forced fumble and two blocked kicks.
Redshirt freshman punter Nathan Holbrook is SAC’s top punter. He continues to lead the league, averaging with 44.1 yards per punt (9th in NCAA II). Last week, he had a season-high eight punts including three inside the 20-yardline.
Greeneville junior Quinton Brandon, last year’s starting punter, is handling the kickoff duties and some field goal kicking for the Pioneers, while Johnson City sophomore Max Turan is manning the placekicking duties where he is a perfect 23-for-23 on his extra points this year. Turan has connected on 41 of his 42 career PAT’s which gives him a school-record 97.6 success rate so far and enters this week having made 26 consecutive PATs.
Cam Ferguson leads the TU kickoff return unit where he is averaging 22.9 yards (5th in SAC) on his 12 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 20.6 yards per return. He opened the season with a 53-yarder for a touchdown against Bluefield State. In his last home appearance, Hagan posted a career-high 54-yard return which flipped the field late in the contest and set-up TU’s game-winning TD run against Catawba.
SCOUTING UVA WISE
The UVA Wise Highland Cavaliers provide the opposition for this week’s South Atlantic Conference battle at Pioneer Field.
Cavs’ head coach Gary Bass is in his third season at the helm of the football program in Wise.
UVA Wise (1-6, 1-4 SAC) opened the season with five straight losses against NCAA-FCS Presbyterian (47-37), Chowan (24-20), Anderson (39-21), Carson-Newman (42-7) and Wingate (41-27). The Cavaliers pulled off a tremendous upset when they rolled into 15th-ranked Newberry and knocked off the defending SAC and NCAA Region Champions, 48-38. UVA Wise is coming off a 50-24 home loss to Lenoir-Rhyne last Saturday.
Quarterback McCalan Beason is in charge of the Wise offense where he has passed for 1,494 yards (2nd in SAC/22nd in NCAA II) with 19 touchdowns (1st in SAC/4th in NCAA II) against six interceptions. He has also rushed for a team-leading four scores. His 20.0 points responsible for per game average is tops in the league and sixth-best in the country. He is averaging 17.86 completions per game (4th in SAC/38th in NCAA II).
Beason’s top target is Thomas McCoy who has hauled in a SAC-best nine TD receptions, which are the second-most in DII. McCoy has posted 27 receptions for 385 yards.
Hunter Purdue is second with 23 catches for a team-leading 437 yards and two scores.
Beason has completed passes to 13 different receivers through seven games including seven different Cavaliers with TD catches.
Evan Kennedy leads the team in rushing with 336 yards with two TDs and averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
The UVA Wise defense is last in the conference in five statistical categories including: scoring defense (40.1 ppg), total defense (466.4 ypg), rushing defense (211.7 ypg), passing defense (254.7 ypg) and first down defense (170).
The Highland Cavaliers have recovered a SAC-leading seven fumbles (7th in NCAA II) and their 12 total turnovers gained are third in the SAC and 29th in NCAA II.
Jalen Pickens leads the team in tackles with 50 hits including 6.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also has two break-ups and a fumble recovery.
Isaiah McGuffin is second with 49 tackles including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks with a fumble recovery. Landon Goeller has 32 tackles, while Davion Jackson has 25 hits with a team-leading three interceptions (2nd in SAC/27th in NCAA II).
WHAT’S GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GAME
This week is Homecoming at Tennessee’s most historic university as many events and activities are scheduled as Tusculum welcomes back alumni and friends back to Greeneville.
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 3:45 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 enter Pioneer Field through the main gates of the facility beginning at 11:55 a.m. The University’s Homecoming Parade will follow beginning at 12 p.m.
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.
Tusculum’s women’s track national champions will be recognized during the game as well as the presentation of the Homecoming Court as well as the announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen.
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 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.
