GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum Pioneers will open South Atlantic Conference play this weekend as they host the Newberry Wolves Saturday afternoon at the Niswonger Sports Complex and Pioneer Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.
This week is the home opener for the Pioneers (0-1, 0-0 SAC) while Newberry (0-2, 0-0 SAC) will be on the road for the first time this season.
Tusculum is coming off a bye week as the Pioneers dropped its season-opener 45-9 at now nationally-ranked and still undefeated West Alabama (3-0). TU jumped out to a 6-0 lead following a 50-yard touchdown run by Zaron Collins. The Pioneers trailed 14-9 at halftime but surrendered 31 unanswered points in the loss.
Newberry has faced a tough opening slate as well, dropping a 27-14 home loss to fifth-ranked Valdosta State two weeks ago. The Wolves faced the top-ranked team in NAIA in Keiser University last week and lost 42-33 at Setzler Field.
Tusculum head coach Billy Taylor will be making his home debut when Newberry comes to town. Taylor served the last nine years at NCAA FCS East Tennessee State University where he was the defensive coordinator at his alma mater.
Todd Knight is in his 16th season at the helm of the Newberry program where he has amassed a 93-71 record which includes three SAC Championships and four trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
THE SERIES
The 25th renewal of the Tusculum/Newberry football rivalry will be held this Saturday. The series, which began in 1998, has the Wolves holding a slim 13-11 edge. Tusculum won six of the first seven meetings of the series, including five in a row from 2000-2004. Newberry answered with three consecutive wins from 2005-2007, before TU followed with back-to-back victories in 2008 and 2009.
Since 2009, the Wolves have won 10 of the last 12 meetings including three in a row. Eleven of the 24 previous meetings have been decided by seven points or less and five by at least a field goal including a 16-14 Tusculum win over Newberry in 2014 at Pioneer Field. The Pioneers trailed 14-3 before rallying with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. But there have been blowouts in the series as well with three decisions being decided by 30 or more points.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Pioneers return 45 lettermen and nine starters from last year's 6-5 squad which captured the program its second SAC Mountain Division crown in the last four years.
Three players saw action at quarterback last week with senior Matthew Palazzo earning his 10th consecutive start under center. Senior Brayden Phillips also saw action while junior Richard Hunter played in the final offensive series of the game.
In 2023, Palazzo passed for 2,045 yards and accounted for 26 touchdowns (19 pass, 7 rush). His 19 passing TDs where second in the conference and the ninth-most in school history. His seven rushing touchdowns were the best on the team and ninth in the league. Against West Alabama, Palazzo went 7-of-10 for 42 yards with an interception and recorded a five-yard run.
Phillips passed for 87 yards on 7-of-14 passing which included an interception. Hunter recorded a four-yard carry and completed one of his two passes.
Tusculum's top offensive threat in the opener was sophomore receiver Zaron Collins. Collins totaled 114 all-purpose yards which included a 50-yard run and posted 64 receiving yards on his four receptions.
Twelve (12) different players recorded a rushing attempt two weeks ago at West Alabama. Sophomore newcomer Otasowie Dion, who transferred from Mississippi College, had five carries for 22 yards, while last year's top TU rusher, Jalen Hunt, had five rush attempts for 14 yards. Hunt is a Preseason All-Conference selection who ran for 419 yards and a touchdown a year ago.
Sophomores John Celestin and Jojo Restall each saw action two weeks ago at the fullback spot. Both had six carries each to lead the team. In 2023, Celestin tallied 35 yards and a touchdown, while Restall was second on the team with his 372 rushing yards and two TDs. Also seeing action in the opener were Jackson Roper and Hank Harrison.
Junior tight end Reginald Hunter accounted for three receptions for 25 yards at West Alabama including an acrobatic 14-yard catch. Last year, Hunter played in nine games and finished with eight grabs for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Senior receiver Corey Moraux had three receptions in the opener for 19 yards, while graduate student Kemani Brown made two catches for 10 yards. Brown was last year's top returning receiver as he made 19 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed the game-winning two-point conversion pass to his brother (Zaron Collins) in TU's double-overtime win over Mars Hill to claim berth to the SAC title game.
The Pioneers will also look to junior receiver Ethan Stinnett and Wofford College transfer Carlton Terry II and Shasta College transfer Taivonn Ervin.
Anchoring the offensive line for the Pioneers is junior Adrian Gumm who made eight starts in the trenches last year for the Pioneers. Also earning starts up front two weeks ago were Nehemiah Storey, Vernon Holland, Jeff Linton and Conrad Smith. Gumm led the Pioneers against West Alabama with his four knockdown blocks, while Smith and Chris Sweeney posted two apiece versus the Tigers.
Senior linebacker Earnest Johnson III was Tusculum's top tackler in the opener at West Alabama. He recorded eight tackles including six solos. The two-time, Preseason All-SAC Mountain Division selection finished second on the team with 76 tackles last year, including 13 for loss, five sacks and led the team with nine quarterback hurries. In his 36-game career at TU, he has been credited with 164 total tackles.
Senior strong safety Corey Radcliff was second on the team with his seven tackles, while former Findlay and ETSU cornerback Quinn Smith was third with his six stops to go along with a pass break-up.
Sophomore linebacker TJ Jingozian made five total stops including four solo stops with one for loss, resulting in a fumble. Junior free safety Daryl Smith had four solo tackles against UWA including one for loss and a pass defended. Senior defensive tackle Bode Patton, sophomore linebacker Rashad Watson and senior cornerback Marquel Pittman each made four tackles apiece. Patton also contributed a sack while Pittman had a hit behind the line of scrimmage.
ETSU senior transfer Deven Brantley brings a wealth of veteran experience with him on the defensive line. He played 31 games on Coach Taylor's ETSU defense as he totaled 55 tackles including seven for loss and four sacks. He was credited with a fumble recovery two weeks ago at West Alabama.
Senior punter Stefaan Forbes had an outstanding Tusculum debut for the Pioneers where he averaged 43.6 yards on his seven punt attempts. The NJCAA All-American booted a 52-yarder and finished with four punts inside the 20 including three inside the 10. Last season at Hutchinson Community College, he recorded 20 kicks inside the 20 (6th in NJCAA) and accounted for 13 fair catches.
Senior John Aiden Pittman has accounted for 70 career points which are the ninth-most in school history. He connected on a 25-yard field goal at the end of the first half in the opener. In 2023, he went 16-of-18 in extra points and connected on a 35-yard field goal.
SCOUTING NEWBERRY
The Newberry Wolves went 4-7 last season which included a four-game losing streak against a murderous stretch which included NCAA national semifinalist Lenoir-Rhyne, as well as playoff contenders Limestone, Wingate and Mars Hill. Along with opening against fifth-ranked Valdosta State and defending NAIA national champion Keiser University, the Wolves have dropped six in a row.
Rookie quarterback Reed Charpia made his Newberry debut off the bench last week as he accounted for 298 total offensive yards and two touchdowns in a 42-33 loss to defending NAIA national champion Keiser University. He completed 15-of-28 passes for 226 yards and ran for 72 yards on five carries including TD runs of 13 and 25 yards.
Junior quarterback Izayah Whiteside has also seen action under center where he has completed 12-of-18 passes for 108 yards. He has also rushed for 100 yards on 14 attempts including a touchdown.
The Wolves top target has been senior Keith Desaussure who leads the team with nine receptions for 90 yards. Freshman Ja'Corey Martin has made three grabs for 58 yards, while tight end Tommy Washington has posted 58 receiving yards on five receptions.
Junior Dwayne Wright is the team's top rusher through two games where he has 117 yards on 28 attempts and a touchdown. Sophomore Quez Spells also has a rushing TD to go along with his 78 yards on nine carries.
The quintet of James Middleton, Damari Joyner, Davion Pyles, Dallas Shirley and Cooper Trnavsky are expected to be the starting five on the offensive line for Coach Todd Knight.
Veteran free safety Daquain Brunson is Newberry's early leader on defense where he has made dozen tackles with one hit behind the line of scrimmage. Chucky Roach has also made 12 stops from the secondary including two for loss.
Senior All-SAC defensive end Colby Taylor has accounted for a team-best five tackles for loss with a sack. He also has made 11 total tackles and forced a fumble for the Scarlet and Gray. His brother, Luke Taylor is not far off the pace by his sibling with nine tackles to his credit including a pass break-up.
Junior linebacker Jalen Stradford opened last week's game by returning an interception for an 80-yard touchdown to put the Wolves on the board first.
Burke Nettles is averaging 33.7 yards on his six punts while kicker Bryce Earley has connected on field goals of 38 and 37 yards last week. He has connected on all five of his extra point tries and of his eight kickoffs, five have resulted in touchbacks.
WHAT'S GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GAME
Tusculum fans are asked to show their Pioneer Pride and wear their Black and Orange for this week's home-opener.
NEW LOCATION for the Pioneer Club Tailgate! The new location is at the corner of Shiloh Road and Pioneer Way on the outdoor basketball courts. Pioneer Club Tailgate starts at 11 a.m. and for more information, please contact Robert Zirkle, Director of Athletic Development at (423) 636-7331 or email: rzirkle@tusculum.edu.
Introduced during Tusculum's spring game, the new route for 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. The Pioneer Walk will begin at 11 a.m.
The Tusculum University Dance team will be performing at halftime. Also at halftime, there will be the Punt, Pass and Kick Challenge, presented by Workout Anytime. A lucky fan could win a three-month membership to Workout Anytime, open 24 hours a day and located in the Greeneville Commons.
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 11:30 a.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
If you can't make it to Saturday's game, fans can watch the action on-line at www.TusculumPioneers.com on the Pioneer Sports Network and FloSports.com, the official video stream provider of the South Atlantic Conference.
The "Voice of the Pioneers" Brian Stayton along with Joe Byrd will describe all the action with the radio pre-game show beginning at 12 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.
