GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Ryan Tallent scored on a 53-yard scoring strike from quarterback Collin Wigely with 18.4 seconds remaining as Team Orange rallied to a 33-33 tie against Team Black in the Tusculum College Spring Football Game Thursday night at Pioneer Field.

The Orange and Black game used a special scoring system that credited the defense (Team Black) with points on turnovers, three-and-outs, and defensive stops while the offense (Team Orange) earned points using the traditional scoring method. The first half was dominated by Team Black, while Team Orange bounced back in the second half, including a pair of scoring drives in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

Wigely (Newport Beach, Calif.) passed for 257 yards and three touchdowns, going 16-for-29, but was intercepted three times, including twice by T.J. Jones (Duncan, S.C.). Rising senior signal caller Altorien Reed (Darien, Ga.) had an outstanding night as he passed for 195 yards and a pair of scores. Reed went 17-of-37 and an interception.

Tallent, a rising senior receiver from Maryville, Tenn., finished with seven receptions for 106 yards. Deonte' Gist (Wellford, S.C.) was the top target of the night for Wigely and Reed as he made 11 catches for 118 yards. Maryville, Tenn. native Tyler Clendenen added five receptions for 43 yards and a TD, while Michael Rodriguez (Columbia, S.C.) made five grabs for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Rising senior Chris Young (Ringgold, Ga.) also made a pair of receptions for 43 yards, including an acrobatic 35-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter.

The Tusculum defense posted a solid night's work, forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions. Along with Jones' two picks, Antonio Johnson (Olive Branch, Miss.) and Kevin Funches (Kansas City, Kan.) also recorded an interception for Team Black.

The defense put a lot of pressure on the signal callers, recording numerous sacks, including two each by Jeremy Jones (Marietta, Ga.), Robert Hogg (Kingsport, Tenn.), Terrence Smith (Riverdale, Ga.) and Miles Washington (Concord, Calif.). Miami, Fla. defensive lineman David Little also forced and recovered a fumble to go along with a sack. Washington finished the night as the top tackler with seven stops, while Mason Fowler (Dacula, Ga.) added six hits and Smith recorded five tackles in the game.

The kicking game had an exceptional night for the Pioneers. All-American punter John Gregory (Ooltewah, Tenn.) handled the kicking chores for both teams, averaging 46.2 yards per punt on his 10 attempts, including four of 50 yards or more. Rising junior Gareth Rowlands (Wales, Great Britain) was perfect on his five extra point attempts, including two simulated PAT of 40 and 50 yards.

"This was truly a great night for Tusculum football," said head coach Frankie DeBusk. "There were too many mistakes made tonight to win a championship, but definitely enough big plays on both sides of the ball to know that we have a chance to be a special football team with so much athleticism."

The Orange and Black Game wraps up the spring practice season for the Pioneers. "Our coaching staff has worked very hard for 15 practices and it showed by the effort and enthusiasm shown in tonight's scrimmage," added DeBusk.

The Pioneers will open the 2009 campaign, Saturday, Aug. 29 as Tusculum travels to the U