SPOKANE, Wash. --- Former Tusculum College quarterback Tony Colston came off the bench to lead the Tennessee Valley Vipers to a 56-55 overtime win over the Spokane Shock in the 2008 ArenaCup Championship game Monday night before a record-crowd of 10,662 at the Spokane Arena.

Colston was pressed into duty when starter Kevin Eakin injured his ankle on the first drive of the game. Colston, who threw only four passes in two appearances during the regular season, recorded seven TD passes on the night without an interception to earn Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. He went 20-for-30 for 288 yards and scored the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime.

After an intense four quarters of play that ended in a 48-48 tie, the Shock got the ball first and took a 55-48 lead on a 25-yard TD catch. Colston and the Vipers then responded with a drive that culminated with a 24-yard TD toss that brought the Vipers within one point, 55-54. After a timeout to think things over, Tennessee Valley Head Coach Dean Cokinos decided to go for a two-point conversion attempt to decide the game. His decision paid off. As Colston dropped back to pass he couldn't find an open receiver and decided to tuck the ball and run for it. After eluding a Spokane defender at the 2-yard line, Colston dove into the end zone for the game-winning two-point conversion.

Colston, who played at Tusculum from 2002-04, still holds several records at his alma mater including passing yards (6,207), completions (544), completion percentage (.635) and total offensive yardage (6,964). During his career, the Clinton, Tenn. native completed 37 touchdown passes which are the second most in school history. He garnered All-South Atlantic Conference Second Team honors in 2003, while guiding the Pioneers to their first SAC Championship. Tusculum posted a 9-2 record, including a seven-game winning streak and a perfect 6-0 record at home.

The 2008 Pioneers open their season this Saturday when they host the University of Charleston (W.Va.) for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

- TC -