GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry University Football Team (5-1, 3-1 SAC) blocked the game-winning field goal attempt as time expired to hold on for a 23-21 win over Tusculum University (0-5, 0-4 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference action Saturday on the road.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 23, Tusculum 21
LOCATION – Greeneville, Tennessee
VENUE – Pioneer Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-1, 3-1 SAC); Tusculum (0-5, 0-4 SAC)
How It Happened
Emory & Henry forced a three-and-out on the opening drive of the game and then went 65 yards in five plays to take a 6-0 lead on a five-yard touchdown run by junior Jordan Jackson (Richmond, Va.).
Later in the quarter, TU quarterback Matthew Palazzo was intercepted by junior defensive back Jacob Robinson (Warrenton, Va.), who returned it 29 yards for his second pick-six in as many weeks and a 13-0 lead for the Wasps.
On the first play of the second quarter, Palazzo hit Taivonn Ervin for a 42-yard catch-and-run to cap a seven-play, 91-yard drive for a 13-7 score which would hold through the half.
After three straight punts to open the third, Tusculum got the ball near midfield The Pioneers cranked up their offense, to take a 14-13 lead on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Palazzo to Kemani Brown.
Emory & Henry responded on the next drive beginning with a 45-yard catch by sophomore wide receiver Cam Abshire (Roanoke, Va.) to flip the field. Junior quarterback Charles Mutter, III (King George, Va.) found redshirt freshman wideout Tristan Stitt (Indian Trail, N.C.) in the left corner of the end zone from 10 yards out for the score and a 20-14 advantage with 15 minutes to play.
Tusculum put together a nine-play, 65-yard drive that drained more than six minutes off the clock, resulting in a touchdown. Otasowie Dion plunged five yards to the one but fifth-year defensive back Addison Knicely (Mount Crawford, Va.) forced a fumble before the ball crossed the goal line. TU's Corey Moraux recovered the ball deep in the end zone for the Pioneer touchdown and a 21-20 lead with 9:30 left on the clock.
Emory & Henry regained the lead with 5:27 left in the fourth quarter when junior kicker Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.) drilled a 42-yard field goal for a 23-21 advantage.
On the ensuing drive, the Wasps backed the Pioneers up behind the sticks. On third down, Palazzo fumbled the ball which was snatched out of the air by sophomore defensive lineman Ean Rhea (Glade Spring, Va.). E&H was unable to capitalize on the good field position, giving TU another shot with less than three minutes to go.
The Pioneers drove down the field, highlighted by a 35-yard Palazzo pass to Brown and got into the red zone with less than 30 seconds left. Tusculum ran the clock down to set up for the game-winning 37-yard field goal attempt. Junior defensive back Shawn Collins (Salem, Va.) came off the left edge and blocked the kick which was recovered by junior defensive lineman Chad Pouncy (Lynchburg, Va.) with no time remaining for the 23-21 win.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Mutter went 19-for-30 through the air for 256 yards and a touchdown, connecting with five different receivers. Junior wideout Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.) caught a game-high eight passes for 76 yards while Abshire hauled in six balls for 138 yards. Stitt finished with two catches for 16 yards and a score.
Jordan went back over the 100-yard mark for the fourth time of the season, rushing 24 times for 111 yards and a score.
Robinson finished with 10 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown while senior linebacker Kaleb Lundy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) had nine stops including one tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Knicely finished the game with six tackles and a forced fumble while Collins had two tackles, an interception and the all-important blocked field goal. Rhea had two tackles to go along with his takeaway.
Tusculum Individual Leaders
Palazzo went 9-for-15 through the air for 148 yards and two touchdowns but suffered from a pair of interceptions and a fumble. Five Pioneers had receptions with Brown leading the way with two catches for 57 yards and a score. Ervin's one catch went for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Tusculum leaned on its ground game as nine different players touched the ball led by John Celestin with six carries for 47 yards. Dion added 31 yards while A.J. Hill and Ervin had 21 and 20 yards, respectively.
Rashad Watson led the TU defense with 10 tackles including 3.5 for a loss while Earnest Johnson, III had 10 stops with 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage. Marcel Bowes and T.J. Jingozian both contributed seven tackles on the afternoon.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry held a 354 to 305 lead on total offense on the afternoon, picking up 19 first downs to Tusculum's 18. The Wasps Threw for 256 yards and gained 98 on the ground while the Pioneers were balanced in their attack with 157 rushing yards and 148 passing yards.
E&H went 5-for-13 (38%) on third down while TU converted 40 percent (4-of-10) of its third-down chances.
The Wasps took care of the ball on offense and had three takeaways, as they continue to have one of the top turnover margins in the country.
Emory & Henry held a slim 30:57-29:03 lead on time of possession.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will remain on the road next Saturday, visiting Anderson University in the first-ever meeting between the two squads. Kickoff between the Wasps and Trojans will be at 1:00 p.m.
---E&H---