GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum Pioneers will close out the 2025 campaign this Saturday as the Sons of Davy Crockett make the 50-mile trek to Jefferson City to take on arch-rival Carson-Newman at Burke-Tarr Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.
The Pioneers (1-8, 0-8 SAC) will be looking to bookend the year with wins in the 54th edition of the 11-E Series.
Since opening the year with a road win at Bluefield State, Tusculum has suffered eight consecutive losses including last week's 56-10 home loss to 23rd-ranked Wingate. TU committed four turnovers including two fumbles which were returned for touchdowns.
Carson-Newman (6-3, 5-3 SAC) is coming off last week's heart-breaking 28-21 road loss at nationally-ranked Newberry in what proved to be the South Atlantic Conference Championship Game. The Eagles, who entered the fourth quarter leading 14-7, were driving for the game-tying score. But on fourth-down from the NBY 12, the Wolves came up with an interception in the end zone with four seconds left to clinch the SAC title.
This week's Battle of US 11-E will pit two of the top running attacks in the league. The Eagles average a SAC-best 248.1 rushing yards per game (10th in NCAA II), while TU is posting 188.9 yards per contest (3rd in SAC / 37th in NCAA II).
THE SERIES
The Tusculum/Carson-Newman football rivalry began in 1904, making it the second oldest collegiate gridiron series in the State of Tennessee (The Tennessee/Vanderbilt rivalry is the oldest as the Volunteers and Commodores first met in 1896). C-N has dominated the all-time series and leads 36-15-2, but Tusculum has won five of the last eight meetings including three of the last four.
Carson-Newman won the first two meetings in 1904 and 1913, before Tusculum reeled off six consecutive wins from 1914-1920. On Oct. 11, 1919, the Pioneers scored a program-record 103 points in a 103-0 shutout of the Eagles.
C-N would go 6-0-2 in the next eight meetings before Tusculum ended the drought with a 3-0 win over the Eagles in Jefferson City en route to capturing the Smoky Mountain Athletic Conference football title.
Carson-Newman would run off a string of 13 consecutive wins including 10 straight from 1935-1950 and then three in a row from 1998-2000 when the Pioneers became South Atlantic Conference members. Eight of those C-N wins during the streak were by shutout.
Tusculum ended the losing streak with a thrilling 37-36 win over Carson-Newman on Oct. 13, 2001 in the Eagles' inaugural trip to Pioneer Field. Aaron Claridy scored go-ahead touchdown with 35 seconds left. C-N answered 21 seconds later when Shane Kelley hit Alvin Sanders with an 18-yard TD pass to pull the Eagles to within one. Carson-Newman went for the two-point conversion and the victory, but Antwon Oliver was stopped shy of the goal-line by Michael Anderson to preserve the TU win.
Two years later, Tusculum would post a 27-18 triumph over Carson-Newman as the Pioneers captured its first SAC football crown.
The Eagles would win the next four meetings, before Tusculum would get back in the win column. On Nov. 8, 2008 in the regular-season finale, the Pioneers jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first half and led 38-24 midway through the third quarter. C-N quarterback Alex Good rallied the troops with TD runs of one and 80 yards to tie the game in the fourth quarter. With 4:24 left in the game and C-N driving Jeremy Thompson scooped up a fumble went 55 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Good completed a 43-yard TD pass to Otis Miller with 1:49 on the clock. But the game-tying extra point was blocked by TU's Brandon Kelley as the Pioneers won 45-44. The win secured a three-way tie for the SAC Championship and earned TU its first NCAA Division II Playoff appearance.
The Eagles won the next seven meetings including a 49-48 victory in the 2010 season-finale which arguably is considered the most exciting game in the history of the rivalry. In a game which featured 10 lead changes including with 5:50 remaining when LiRonta Archie put the Pioneers back in front 48-41 with his 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown. C-N responded with a 14-play, 77-yard drive as Tyron Douglas scored on one-yard TD with 35 seconds remaining. After a C-N timeout, the Eagles elected to go for the lead and Doug Belk's successful two-point run gave the visitors a one-point lead (49-48). With only one timeout remaining, the Pioneers moved into C-N territory and with six seconds left, All-American kicker Gareth Rowlands lined up for a 53-yard field goal try. His kick was plenty long enough but hit the left upright on the game's final play.
The 2016 game was another thriller as Tusculum scored the first 20 points of the game only to see Carson-Newman rally and tie the game at 23-23 in the fourth quarter with nine minutes left in regulation as the contest would go into overtime for the first time in series history. Carson-Newman scored on its first possession and kicked the extra point to go up 30-23. After two incomplete passes on its first two plays of its possession, Luke Lancaster completed a 20-yard strike to Rodnell Cruell for the first down. Tony Belle would run it in for a three-yard touchdown. The Pioneers elected to go for two and the win. Lancaster rolled out to his right and completed a pass in the flat to Jordon Shippy who would dive and extend the ball over the goal line for the game-winner (31-30).
The 2016 contest was a monumental one as it was the final game for legendary Carson-Newman head coach Ken Sparks.
Carson-Newman would win the next two in Jefferson City to extend its streak to 16 in a row in home wins over the Pioneers dating back to 1934.
TU would post a 41-28 win in the 2018 meeting at Pioneer Field. The Pioneers have won four in a row over C-N at Pioneer Field including 34-6 win over the Eagles in 2022 in Carson-Newman's last visit to Greeneville.
In 2023, Tusculum snapped an 89-year drought with a 27-21 victory, its first win in Jefferson City since 1934. It would mark the Pioneers' first 3-game winning streak against Carson-Newman since winning three in a row from 1918-1920.
The Eagles were victorious 56-14 in the 2024 encounter in Greeneville. C-N scored 42 straight points while pounding out 330 rushing yards while the defense forced three TU turnovers including two that were returned for scores.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Tusculum Pioneers will be looking to end a disappointing season on a high-note when the Black & Orange ventures to Mossy Creek to take on the Carson-Newman Eagles.
After winning its season-opener at Bluefield State in August, TU has dropped its last eight games including last week's 56-10 Senior Day loss to nationally-ranked Wingate.
The defensive leader for the Pioneers this year has been junior linebacker Rashad Watson. Watson is having an All-Conference worthy season where he leads the SAC averaging 9.3 total tackles per contest, which ranks 23rd in NCAA Division II. He has amassed 84 tackles this year including 9.0 for loss (-32 yds) with 2.5 sacks (-21 yds). He has posted double-figure tackles in four of his last five outings. He also been credited with three quarterback hurries and three pass break-ups.
During his 28-game career at Tusculum, Watson has totaled 157 tackles including 15 for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Junior Xavier Gunn is second in the conference with his 10 passes defended (1.11 - 31st in NCAA II) which includes nine pass break-ups and a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown vs Lenoir-Rhyne in the league-opener. Gunn has posted 32 tackles this year with 24 solos. Gunn has recorded at least one pass defended in seven of his last eight outings including a season-best three break-ups at UVA Wise.
Da'Shawn Elder has made 31 tackles this year including a team-best seven stops last week against Wingate.
Cameron Garnett is next with 29 tackles (18 solos, 11 assists) including 2.5 tackles for loss (-6 yards) and one sack (-3 yds). Garnett has also made two QB hurries.
Senior defensive lineman Aidan Dark has 26 tackles to his credit, including two for loss (-12 yds) and 0.5 sacks (-9 yds). He also has a break-up and two QB hurries.
Junior Dylan Horne leads the team with his 10.5 tackles for loss (-56 yds) and 3.0 sacks (-31 yds). He posted 3.5 TFL against Newberry and had 2.5 TFL against Mars Hill. His 1.31 TFL per game average is second in the SAC and 34th in NCAA II.
Sophomore Dayquan Diston has recorded three interceptions this year including his 75-yard pick-six at UVA Wise. Diston also has four break-ups with 20 of his 22 stops being solo hits. His 0.38 interceptions per game average is second in the SAC and 29th in NCAA II. His 0.88 passes defended per game average is seventh in the league.
Senior Solomon Maosa is tied for the conference lead with his two blocked kicks which are tied for eighth in the country. His two blocked kicks are also tied for the seventh-most in a TU single-season. He has been credited with 18 tackles including 4.0 for loss (-7 yds) and leads the team with six QB hurries.
Last week, the Pioneers utilized four different quarterbacks against Wingate. Sophomore quarterback Lavante Adams was injured in the first half and senior signal caller Richard Hunter was unavailable due to the passing of his grandmother.
After Adams went down, went to a pair of true freshmen in receiver Damien Dawson and rookie quarterback Trey Frazier, who were both making their collegiate debuts. Presbyterian College transfer Ty Engle also saw action in the fourth quarter where he went 3-of-4 with a touchdown.
On the season, Adams has netted 136 rushing yards and two touchdown runs in his six contests this year. He has gone 11-for-36 for 142 yards and two passing TDs.
Adams was responsible for all four touchdowns a 35-28 loss to the Newberry Wolves in his first collegiate start. He recorded a pair of one-yard TD runs and tossed TD passes covering 20 and 27 yards.
Sophomore running back Lex Dinwiddie is Tusculum's leading rusher this year where he has totaled 394 yards, which are 10th in the conference. He rushed for a career-high 145 yards at Bluefield State. Two weeks ago, he ran for 87 yards on 14 carries against Mars Hill.
Junior running back John Celestin is second on the team with his 316 rushing yards on 66 carries and two touchdowns. Celestin ran for a career-best 128 yards and a score at Bluefield State. Last week, he was TU's top runner where he 65 yards on 15 carries.
Junior Otasowie Dion is third on the roster in rushing with 207 yards on his 34 carries, which includes a TD rush. He ran for a career-high 63 yards on 10 attempts against Emory & Henry last month at Pioneer Field. He has been sidelined for the last three games.
True freshman Teryntino Brown-Freeman made his collegiate debut last month against Catawba as he rushed for 93 yards on 15 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He also hauled in a 31-yard reception to finish the contest with game-high 124 all-purpose yards.
Brown-Freeman posted 69 yards on 10 carries including a TD two weeks ago against Mars Hill. In his last three games, he is averaging 6.1 yards per run and is averaging 59.0 rushing yards per game.
ETSU transfer Javon Richardson is the team leader with eight catches for 123 receiving yards including a game-tying 27-yard TD grab against Newberry with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter.
Senior Ashton Hagans has made seven catches for 61 yards and leads the team with three touchdown receptions.
Greeneville sophomore Quinton Brandon is Tusculum's starting punter. The ETSU transfer and Greeneville High School alum is averaging 37.0 yards per punt this season which is sixth in the SAC. He has pinned the opposition inside the 20 on nine occasions and has recorded a pair punts over 60 yards including a career-high 69-yard boot at UVA Wise, which is the ninth-longest in program history.
Redshirt freshman Max Turan is the placekicker for the Pioneers and leads the team in scoring with his 24 points. He has gone 18-of-19 on his extra points and is a perfect on his two field goals including last week's 42-yarder against Wingate.
Senior Caleb Swinehart handles the long-snapping duties for Tusculum for a second straight season. He has played in 23 career outings on TU's special teams' unit and has been credited with three tackles this year.
SCOUTING CARSON-NEWMAN
The Carson-Newman Eagles provide the opposition for this week's South Atlantic Conference regular-season finale at Burke-Tarr Stadium.
The Eagles are coming off a tough 28-21 road loss at Newberry last week, clinching the SAC Championship for the Wolves.
Carson-Newman enters this week's action listed 10th in the NCAA II Super Region 2 rankings. The Eagles have a way to get into next week's NCAA Playoffs, but they would have to get a win over the Pioneers coupled with multiple losses in game throughout the region.
Second-year head coach Ashley Ingram has turned the Eagles program around, posting a 15-6 record so far at Mossy Creek including a perfect 9-0 mark at Burke-Tarr Stadium. Ingram led C-N to a 9-3 record in 2024 which included winning the SAC Mountain Division title and earned a berth to the NCAA postseason.
This year's Carson-Newman club opened with a 41-10 home victory over West Virginia State. Two weeks later, C-N dropped a 31-24 overtime decision at Mars Hill. The Eagles fell behind 21-0 and trailed by 14 heading into the fourth quarter before rallying to send the game into OT.
But C-N rebounded with back-to-back win over ranked teams beginning with a 24-7 win over preseason-SAC favorite and No. 19/17 Lenoir-Rhyne. The Eagles most impressive victory came in a 21-14 road win No. 19/20 Wingate.
C-N's momentum was slowed with a 19-13 road loss at Emory & Henry. But three straight wins over Anderson (28-6), UVA Wise (35-14) and Catawba (24-16) had the Eagles back in the SAC Championship discussion before last week's set-back at No. 25/18 Newberry.
Offensively, Carson-Newman leads the SAC in rushing (248.1 - 10th in NCAA II), fewest sacks allowed (0.89 - 12th in NCAA II), fewest interceptions throw (1 - 2nd in NCAA II) and time of possession (32:22 - 23rd in NCAA II). The Eagles have only loss three fumbles this year and four turnovers total including its first interception coming on the final play of last week's game.
Leading the SAC's top rushing attack is senior quarterback Zack Whitson. The MTSU transfer leads the Eagles with his 1,086 yards of total offense and is responsible for 14 touchdowns. He leads C-N rushing for 583 yards (7th in SAC) and eight touchdowns (4th in SAC / 48th in NCAA II). His 6.27 rush yards per carry average is second in the league and 23rd in the nation. He has passed for 503 yards and six touchdowns. He has goine 27-of-47 for a 57.4 completion percentage.
Senior Jayden Sullins is second on the club with his 530 rushing yards (9th in SAC) and two touchdowns. He is averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Navy transfer quarterback Tedros Gleaton is third on the roster with his 331 rushing yards on 58 carries including four touchdowns. He has passed for 325 yards with four touchdowns. He has completed 52.3 percent of his pass attempts going 23-of-44 with only one interception.
Junior Jeremiah Carroll leads the Eagles in receiving with 14 catches for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Cade Meeks is second with seven receptions for 164 yards and two TDs.
Carson-Newman boasts the SAC's top scoring defense allowing 16.1 points per game (9th in NCAA II). The Eagles are also best in the league in team sacks by (2.78 - 27th in NCAA II), first down defense (151 - 12th in NCAA II), and team passing efficiency defense (116.89 - 41st in NCAA II).
Senior linebacker Cruz Temple leads the C-N defense with his 60 tackles including three for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and a team-high seven QB hurries.
Sophomore linebacker Terry Lemon is second with his 43 tackles including 3.5 for loss and two sacks.
Junior defensive end Maravis Mason leads the team with his 7.5 tackles for loss including a C-N best four sacks. Mason is third on the roster with his 40 tackles.
Cornerback Isaiah Cain leads the conference averaging 1.14 passes defended this year (28th in NCAA II). He has made two interceptions to go along with six pass break-ups. Rich Mellien leads the Eagles with his three interceptions (0.33 avg - 4th in SAC / 36th in NCAA II).
Sophomore defensive lineman Jimi Olarinde has the team-lead with his two blocked kicks which are tied for the most in the SAC and eighth in Division II.
Sophomore Grayson Campbell is handling the punting duties for the Eagles. His 41.8 punting average his third in the league (19th in NCAA II) with nine inside the 20 and five punts over 50 yards including a season-long 62-yarder.
Sophomore kicker Bennett Smith leads the Eagles in scoring with his 49 points. He is 7-of-10 on field goals and a perfect 28-of-28 on extra points.
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.
Former Tusculum quarterback Matthew Palazzo '25 will provide the play-by-play, while TU associate director of athletic communications and long-time radio personality Jim Miller will describe all the action with the pre-game show beginning at 12 p.m.
The Pioneer Sports Network will be available locally on WSMG Radio on 95.5 FM and 1450 AM, as well as online at https://jewel955.com/listenlive.
