Mike Carter’s 47-yard field goal with 7:10 to play climaxed Tusculum’s come-from-behind win.

Visiting Livingstone took a 9-2 lead by scoring twice in the third quarter, but Tusculum countered with nine points in the final period to win in the season opener for both teams.

The Blue Bears, playing their first game under new head coach Greg Richardson, won the statistical battle with 401 total yards to 179 for the Pioneers and had a 13-6 edge in first downs.

However, five turnovers, including four fumbles, proved costly to Livingstone. The Pioneers had four turnovers.

Livingstone’s ground game, the best in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association last year, was superb again. Sophomore running back Carlton Jones, the CIAA rushing leader in 1998, ran for 140 yards on 16 carries and scored his team’s only touchdown. Livingstone had 306 yards on the ground.

With Livingstone holding its 9-2 lead early in the fourth quarter, Jones fumbled deep in his territory, and Trey Massey of the Pioneers picked up the loose ball and ran 14 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Andy Smith’s pass for the 2-point conversion failed, leaving the Blue Bears with a 9-8 lead with 14:08 to play.

Livingstone then took over on its own 25 before being penalized to the 20. Two plays later, quarterback D’andre Hopper hit wide receiver Shannon Gainey for a 26-yard completion to midfield.

Two short gains by running back Ray Chambers were followed by Hopper’s 11-yard pass to wide receiver Antrivcion Hayes to the Tusculum 33. The Blue Bears’ scoring threat, however, ended on the next play when Tusculum’s Brett Hlista intercepted a Hopper pass.

Tusculum made a first down, then punted to Livingstone’s Gainey, who fumbled on the return. Ryan Cuthbert recovered at the Bears’ 15 to set up Carter’s winning field goal.

Carter, who had missed from 33 yards six minutes earlier, was only 2 yards shy of the school record with his 47-yarder, his personal best.

The Pioneers got on the scoreboard first when Tracy Branner and Aaron Van Tilburg tackled Jones in the Livingstone end zone for a safety and a 2-0 first-quarter lead. That was also the halftime score.

The Blue Bears went ahead by scoring on their opening drive of 87 yards in the second half. Hopper’s 55-yard run was the big play, and Jones got the TD from 4 yards out. It was 6-2 after the 2-point conversion try failed.

Jim Terry upped the lead to 9-2 with his 28-yard field goal with 4:08 left in the third period.

Buck Starnes led Tusculum with 18 tackles. Hlista had the Pioneers’ only interception.