BREVARD, N.C. --- Isaac Robinson broke a school record which has stood for 85 years with his 250-yard rushing performance in Tusculum's 20-0 South Atlantic Conference victory over Brevard Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The Pioneers (2-3, 1-2 SAC) snap a three-game losing streak and win at Brevard for the first time since 2007. It was also Tusculum's first-ever shutout of a South Atlantic Conference opponent since joining the league in 1998.
Robinson's 250 rushing yards surpasses the previous single-game mark of 245 yards set by Walter Dette on Nov. 18, 1930 against Biltmore (now UNC Asheville). Robinson broke the record on his last carry OF the day, a seven-yard touchdown run with 2:05 remaining in the contest to seal the victory for the Pioneers.
Robinson also established a new single-game mark with his 39 rush attempts, breaking the previous best set by B.J. Spradlin in 2012 at Mars Hill.
Tusculum, who entered the game with the No. 3 pass offense in NCAA Division II (383.8 ypg), was forced to go to the ground attack due to the inclement weather conditions which included high winds and heavy rain. The Pioneers finished the game with 325 yards offensively, including 305 rushing yards on 55 attempts.
The Tusculum defense limited Brevard (0-5, 0-2 SAC) to 169 yards, recorded four sacks and forced three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception).
Following a scoreless first quarter, Tusculum capitalized on a Brevard miscue as Marlon Joyner forced a fumble, which was recovered by D'Andre Johnson at the BC 16. Josh Jackson ran the football four times, including his four-yard TD scamper at the 8:43 mark of the second quarter. Will Tommie's kick gave TC a 7-0 lead.
The Tornados were driving late in the half, but BC quarterback Tyler Gregory was intercepted in the end zone by Cameron Thomas with 10 seconds remaining to preserve Tusculum's lead at the intermission. It was Thomas' fourth pick of the season and seventh of his career, moving him into a tie for third in the TC record book for career interceptions.
Neither team could muster any points in the third quarter as both squads came up empty on field goal attempts.
A high snap on a Brevard punt attempt on the last play of the third quarter was gathered in at the BC 9 as the Pioneers took over from there.
On fourth and goal from the one-yard line, Tusculum went for the touchdown and Robinson obliged with his one-yard score. The extra point try failed as TC led 13-0 with 13:24 left in the game.
Tusculum stopped Brevard on its next possession and the Pioneers answered with a 14-play, 77-yard march down the field, which was capped off by Robinson's seven-yard TD scamper.
Jackson finished the game with 54 rushing yards on 13 carries and a touchdown,
Gregory led Brevard with his 90 rushing yards on 27 attempts, while also passing for 38 yards.
Tusculum quarterback Luke Lancaster completed two of his 10 pass attempts for 20 yards in the miserable weather conditions and did not attempt a throw in the entire second half.
On defense, senior Quez Gaines led the Pioneers with his career-high 13 tackles, including two for loss and a sack. Akeem Peoples accounted for eight stops, while Joyner made seven tackles, one sack and forced a fumble.
Tusculum returns to action next Saturday when the Pioneers host SAC front-runner Wingate for a 2:30 p.m. contest at Pioneer Field. Next Saturday will also be Tusculum's annual homecoming game.
- TC -
