GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum Pioneers will close out the home portion of its 2025 schedule this Saturday when they host the 23rd-ranked Wingate Bulldogs for Senior Day at Pioneer Field.
Tusculum will honor ten (10) seniors in pregame ceremonies prior to Saturday's contest between the long-time league foes. This year's senior class includes: Eric Andrews, Mason Davis, Joaquin Graham, Ashton Hagans, TJ Jingozian, Jeff Linton, Solomon Maosa, Conrad Smith, Nehemiah Storey and Caleb Swinehart.
Saturday is also Tusculum's annual Military Appreciation Day. All U.S. veterans and those who are currently serving in the U.S. Military will be admitted FREE with a valid military I.D.
The Pioneers (1-7, 0-7 SAC) will be in quest of its first home win of the season while also trying to snap a seven-game losing streak overall.
Tusculum is coming off a 28-7 homecoming loss to Mars Hill last weekend. The Lions took advantage of a pair of TU fumbles in the first half, converting both miscues into touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead into the locker room.
Wingate (7-2, 5-2 SAC) scored a touchdown with 19 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and stopped a potential game-winning two-point conversion in the Bulldogs 38-37 win over Lenoir-Rhyne at Irwin Belk Stadium.
Tusculum leads the SAC in defensive touchdowns (3) and fewest interceptions thrown (0).
Wingate is tops in the league in scoring offense (35.8), rushing defense (92.0), first down offense (208), fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.44) and most TFL by (7.90).
THE SERIES
Tusculum and Wingate renew a rivalry which dates back to 1996. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 17-10 and have won four of the last five meetings.
Wingate won the first four games of the series (1996-1999) before Tusculum answered with four wins in a row from 2000-2003. The Bulldogs won eight of the next 10 meetings from 2004-2013.
The Pioneers followed by winning three of four contests from 2014-2017 including a 14-10 victory at Wingate in 2014. In that game, TU quarterback Kyle Dickey came off the bench and threw a pair of TD passes to rally the Pioneers from a 10-0 deficit and snap a five-game losing streak at Belk Stadium.
Tusculum upset 23rd-ranked Wingate, 26-17 in the 2015 meeting in Greeneville. Two years later, TU spoiled the Bulldogs' bid for an undefeated regular season with a 25-17 upset win over No. 12 Wingate.
Wingate reeled off four wins in a row from 2018-2022. In 2023, TU quarterback Matthew Palazzo accounted for three touchdowns including the game-winning 46-yard TD toss as TU edged No. 24 Wingate, 23-21.
Eleven of the 27 previous meetings have been decided by 10 points or less including five of the last six which have been by eight points or fewer.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Tusculum Pioneers will be looking for its first South Atlantic Conference win of the season as TU hosts the Wingate Bulldogs at Pioneer Field for Senior Day.
After winning its season-opener at Bluefield State in August, TU has dropped its last seven games including last week's 28-7 homecoming decision to Mars Hill.
The defensive leader thru the first seven games is junior linebacker Rashad Watson. Watson leads the SAC averaging 10.0 total tackles per contest, which ranks 13th in NCAA Division II. He has amassed 80 tackles this year including 9.0 for loss (-32 yds) with 2.5 sacks (-21 yds). He has posted double-figure tackles in each of his last four outings against UVA Wise (12) Newberry (12), Catawba (11) and Mars Hill (11). He also been credited with three quarterback hurries and two pass break-ups.
During his 27-game career at Tusculum, Watson has totaled 153 tackles including 15 for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Sophomore defensive back DJ Dailey is second on the club with his 35 tackles. He tied a TU single-game record with his two interceptions in the season-opener at Bluefield State. His three interceptions are tied for the team-lead and has seven passes defended (3 INT, 4 PB) and a forced fumble. His 0.38 interceptions per game average is second in the league and 25th-most in Division II. His 0.88 passes defended average is seventh in the SAC.
Junior Xavier Gunn leads the conference with his 10 passes defended (1.25 - 16th in NCAA II) which includes nine pass break-ups and a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown vs Lenoir-Rhyne in the SAC opener. Gunn has posted 31 tackles this year with 23 solos. Gunn has recorded at least one pass defended in his last seven outings including a season-best three break-ups at UVA Wise.
Senior transfer defensive back Tre Mobley also has 31 tackles which includes 2.5 for loss (-8 yds). Mobley missed the Newberry game due to injury but returned two weeks ago with three stops at Catawba including one hit behind the line of scrimmage. During the UVA Wise game, Mobley returned an interception for a 43-yard touchdown. He is second on the club with his five pass break-ups.
Cameron Garnett fifth on the roster with his 26 tackles (16 solos, 10 assists) including 1.5 tackles for loss (-4 yards) and one sack (-3 yds). Garnett has also made two QB hurries.
Senior defensive lineman Aidan Dark is sixth on the club with his 25 tackles including two for loss (-12 yds) and 0.5 sacks (-9 yds). He also has a break-up and two QB hurries.
Da'Shawn Elder is seventh on the team with his 24 tackles which includes one tackle for loss and two pass break-ups.
Junior Dylan Horne leads the team with his 9.5 tackles for loss (-55 yds) and 3.0 sacks (-31 yds). He posted 3.5 TFL against Newberry and had 2.5 TFL last week against Mars Hill. His 1.36 TFL per game average is second in the SAC and 30th in NCAA II.
Sophomore Dayquan Diston has recorded three interceptions this year including his 75-yard pick-six at UVA Wise. Diston also has three break-ups with 19 of his 21 stops being solo hits. His 0.43 interceptions per game average is first in the SAC and 18th in NCAA II. His 0.86 passes defended per game average is ninth in the league.
Senior Solomon Maosa is tied for the conference lead with his two blocked kicks which are tied for seventh in the country. His two blocked kicks are also tied for the seventh-most in a TU single-season. He has been credited with 17 tackles including 4.0 for loss (-7 yds) and leads the team with six QB hurries.
Sophomore quarterback Lavante Adams is slated to get the start under center this week when the Pioneers host the Wingate Bulldogs.
He has netted 133 rushing yards and two touchdown runs in his five contests this year. He has gone 11-for-33 for 142 yards and two passing touchdowns.
He 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 where he has totaled 391 yards, which are 10th in the conference. He rushed for a career-high 145 yards at Bluefield State. Last week, he ran for 87 yards on 14 carries against Mars Hill.
Junior running back John Celestin is second on the team with his 251 rushing yards on 51 carries and two touchdowns. Celestin ran for a career-best 128 yards and a score at Bluefield State.
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 two games.
True freshman Teryntino Brown-Freeman made his collegiate debut two weeks ago 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 last week against Mars Hill. In his last two games, he is averaging 6.5 yards per run and is averaging 81.0 rushing yards per game.
Redshirt freshman Jerome Newland has rushed for 150 yards on 39 carries including two touchdowns. He also has two receptions for 66 yards.
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. Ashton Hagans has made four catches for 43 yards and leads the team with two touchdown receptions.
Greeneville sophomore Quinton Brandon is Tusculum's starting punter. The ETSU transfer and Greeneville High School alum is averaging 36.9 yards per punt this season which is sixth in the SAC. He has pinned the opposition inside the 20 on seven 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 20 points. He has gone 17-of-18 on his extra points and connected on a 44-yard field goal two weeks ago at Catawba.
Senior Caleb Swinehart handles the long-snapping duties for Tusculum for a second straight season. He has played in 22 career outings on TU's special teams' unit and has been credited with three tackles this season.
SCOUTING WINGATE
The Wingate Bulldogs provide the opposition for this week's South Atlantic Conference battle at Pioneer Field.
Wingate is tied for second place in the South Atlantic Conference and just one game out of the lead. Dependent upon the outcome of the Carson-Newman / Newberry contest this week, the Bulldogs are still in the running for a share of the league championship.
Wingate is ranked 23rd in this week's D2Football.com Poll, but more importantly, are listed fifth in the all-important NCAA II South Region 2 rankings. The Region 2 Poll determines the participants in the NCAA Playoffs.
Head coach Rashaan Jordan is in his second season at the helm of the Wingate program, succeeding long-time skipper and now WU athletic director Joe Reich. Jordan has guided the Bulldogs to an impressive 16-4 mark including 9-2 last season while winning the SAC Championship and earned a berth to the NCAA postseason.
Wingate is coming off a thrilling 38-37 overtime win over Lenoir-Rhyne for the Bulldogs fourth win in a row.
The Bulldogs opened the year with three straight wins over UNC Pembroke (30-21), Bluefield State (72-7) and UVA Wise (28-7). Back-to-back losses to Carson-Newman (21-14) and Newberry (43-42 OT) resulted in a 1-2 league start for Wingate. But the Bulldogs answered with four straight wins over Catawba (41-28), Emory & Henry (27-20), Anderson (30-3) and Lenoir-Rhyne (38-37 OT).
Wingate boasts a balanced attack as the Bulldogs lead the conference in scoring averaging 35.8 points per game (19th in NCAA II) while allowing just 20.8 points per contest (4th in SAC / 46th in NCAA II).
WU is racking up 434.1 total offensive yards game (2nd in SAC / 24th in NCAA II) while allowing 302.8 yards per game (3rd in SAC / 29th in NCAA II). The Bulldogs rushing defense is the best in the league, allowing 92 rushing yards per game, which is 17th in NCAA II.
Sophomore quarterback Elijah Holmes has enjoyed an outstanding season thus far passing for 2,170 yards (2nd in SAC / 27th in NCAA II) and 19 touchdowns (2nd in SAC / 21st in NCAA II). He has gone 147-for-233 with only four interceptions and is averaging 241.1 passing yards per game (2nd in SAC / 27th in NCAA II). He has rushed for 259 yards and three TDs as well.
Last week against Lenoir-Rhyne, he passed for 350 yards and four touchdowns including his nine-yard TD pass to Carlos Estronza with 19 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. He has completed a TD pass in all nine games this year.
Sophomore running back Xavier Pugh leads the Bulldogs' ground-attack averaging 98.0 rushing yards per game (3rd in SAC / 18th in NCAA II). He has posted 171 rush attempts for 882 yards and a SAC-best 16 rushing touchdowns (2nd in NCAA II).
Pugh has eclipsed 100 rushing yards on four occasions in 2025 including a season-best 164 and three TDs last month against Catawba. Pugh scored the TD in overtime to give the Bulldogs a 38-31 lead.
He has run for 1,107 yards and 19 touchdowns during his 18-game career with the Bulldogs.
Rookie Jaylen Himes is the SAC's top-receiver with his 53 receptions for 818 yards (10th in NCAA II) and eight touchdowns (15th in NCAA II). He recorded a season-high 134 receiving yards last week against Lenoir-Rhyne on eight catches including two touchdowns. He has posted a TD catch in each of his last four outings.
Xavier Jackson is second on the team with his 22 receptions for 454 yards and two touchdowns, while Estronza has made 20 grabs for 248 yards and four TDs.
On defense, Ryan Green is the team's top tackler with his 65 stops including 3.5 for loss and a sack. He has two pass break-ups and recovered a fumble.
Jaquan Edwards is second with 41 tackles including 8.0 for loss (-20 yds.
Mandjou Berte is third with his 38 tackles including a team-best 10.5 for loss (-39 yards) and 3.5 sacks (-25 yds). He has forced a SAC-best three fumbles (13th in NCAA II).
Placekicker Caleb Bonesteel leads the conference averaging 1.33 field goals made per game (9th in NCAA II). He has converted on 12 of his 16 field goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards. He is also a perfect 36-of-36 on extra points and his 72 kicking points are most in the league and 32nd nationally amongst all players.
Rivera Teeter averages 41.2 punting yards per game which is second in the SAC. Of his 23 punts, 10 have resulted in fair catches and nine have pinned the opposition inside the 20. He has posted six punts of 50-plus yards including a season-long 62-yarder.
WHAT'S GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GAME
Saturday is Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day.
Tusculum will honor senior student-athletes from the football team as well as the cheerleading squad. Pre-game ceremonies will take place at 1:35 p.m. Families of the football and cheerleading seniors are asked to meet on the field in the west end zone at 1:15 p.m.
All active and retired military personnel will be admitted FREE when presenting a valid military I.D. at the gate. All veterans and active military will be recognized during the first quarter of Saturday's contest.
The Pioneer Club Tailgate is located under the big tent at the corner of Shiloh Road and Pioneer Way on the outdoor basketball courts. Pioneer Club Tailgate starts at 12 p.m. and for more information, please contact Rasmus Nylander, Director of Athletic Development & Revenue Generation at (423) 636-7331 or email: pioneerclub@tusculum.edu. The official meal provider for all Pioneer Club Football Tailgates is Texas Roadhouse of Greeneville.
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.
At halftime, we will have the Jersey Mike's Field Goal Challenge. One lucky fan will have a chance to win some prizes, courtesy of Jersey Mike's of Greeneville.
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 12:30 p.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 former Tusculum quarterback Matthew Palazzo '25 will describe all the action with the radio pre-game show beginning at 1 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.
