GREENEVILLE, Tenn. ~ Catawba College’s Indians bolted ahead by 24-0 and then
weathered an aerial blitz to beat Tusculum College’s Pioneers, 36-21, in their
opening South Atlantic Conference football game Saturday.It was the Tribe’s second straight
win. Catawba trimmed Winston-Salem State by 17-14 in its opener a week ago. The loss
squared Tusculum’s record at 1-1. The Pioneers opened their season with an 11-9
decision over Livingstone.
The Indians, sparked by new
tailback Kevin McKenzie, scored touchdowns and a field goal on their first three
possessions in the opening period and then added a touchdown on a 70-yard return of a
blocked field goal attempt by Corey Reese for a 24-0 advantage.
Tusculum scored its first
touchdown in the second period when quarterback Andy Smith combined with flanker Eddie
Jackson for one of their three touchdowns. That cut the Catawba lead to 24-7.
The Indians added a field goal by
Matt Gross, one of the nation’s most accurate kickers, to take a 27-7 lead at
halftime.
Tusculum, which was playing its
first official SAC game, scored on a 65-yard pass from Smith to Jackson to cut the Tribe
lead to 27-14 in the third quarter.
Fullback Joe Hilliard plunged over
from the 1 to put the Indians ahead by 33-14.
Smith and Jackson combined again
on a 35-yard pass to pull the Pioneers with 33-21 on the final play of the third period.
Catawba got a 42-yard field goal
by Gross with 6:34 left in the game to put the decision on ice.
With the win, the Indians avenged
last year’s 23-21 upset loss to the Pioneers.
The Indians needed their early
lead to hold off Smith’s aerial show. The Tusculum senior quarterback set school
records as he completed 27 of 52 passes for 386 yards and all three Pioneer touchdowns. He
did not have an interception. Tusculum completed 28 of 54 for the game. Meanwhile,
Catawba’s defense, which gave up a lot of yardage in the air, held the Pioneers to
minus-24 at rushing. Most of that was recorded when Smith was thrown for 77 yards in
losses.
McKenzie, a 190-pound junior, who
was playing his second game for the Indians, got his teammates off to a roaring start. He
accounted for two quick touchdowns on runs of 14 and 10 yards. He led the Indians at
rushing with 125 yards on 19 carries.
The Indians rushed for 235 yards.
Damien Bennett was second at rushing for the Indians. He ran a reverse twice for 64 yards.
Catawba got only 51 yards at
passing. Quarterback Mitch Ellis completed seven of 15 tosses.
Coach David Bennett naturally was
pleased with the victory.
However, he was not satisfied with
the Tribe’s losing a big lead.
``We are glad to get a win
here,’’ said the Catawba coach. ``We did a good job getting off to a good lead.
But we didn’t put them away when we had the 24-0 lead. We let up and let them get
back into the game.’’
He told his players, ``You got a
good win and you beat a good club.’’
Bennett was particularly impressed
by the Tribe defense when Tusculum, trailing by 33-21, threatened late in the game
The Pioneers got the football at Catawba’s 40 following a poor punt and drove to the
Indians nine for a first-and-goal opportunity with about 10 left to play.
``Our defense showed
itself,’’ explained Bennett. ``We went sack (by Shaun McBride), sack (by McBride
and Anthony Spencer), sack (Radell Lockhart and Shawn Sanders) and sack (Lockhart and
Derrick Montgomery).’’ The four sacks enabled the Tribe to repulse the threat
and take possession at its 20.
The Indians then marched to
Tusculum’s 20 where Gross booted a 42-yard field goal, giving the Indians their final
36-21 margin.
Tusculum received the opening
kickoff and couldn’t move. A short punt gave Catawba possession at the Pioneers’
38. It took McKenzie only two plays to score. He ripped off 24 yards on Catawba’s
first scrimmage play and then raced the final 14 yards for the score and Gross kicked the
point. It was 7-0.
Ryan Millwood returned a punt to
Tusculum’s 42, and the Indians scored their second TD in six plays. McKenzie bolted
over from the 10. Gross added the point, 14-0.
Bennett set up the first Catawba
field goal with a 26-yard gallop with a reverse, carrying to Tusculum’s 12. The
Indians couldn’t get into the end zone, and Gross kicked a 19-yard goal for a 17-0
advantage.
Tusculum threatened in the second
quarter, driving to Catawba’s 11 for a first down. The Indians would not allow a
score. Mike McLean attempted a field goal from the 18. Daris Morris blocked the attempt
and Reese grabbed the football at the 30 and raced 70 yards for a touchdown. Gross kicked
the point for a 24-0 advantage.
Gross kicked a 30-yard field goal
with 32 seconds to go in the half to give Catawba a 27-7 advantage.
Smith and Jackson combined for a
49-yard pass for Tusculum’s first touchdown late in the second quarter. McLean added
the point. It was 24-7.
Tusculum reduced the Tribe lead to
27-14.
A 38-yard run by Bennett on a
reverse again set up Catawba’s final touchdown in the third period. Hilliard scored
from the one. Catawba’s try for two extra points failed, 33-14.
A few minutes later, Smith, who
completed eight straight passes at one stretch, connected with Jackson again on a 35-yard
scoring aerial to pull the Pioneers within 33-21 as time ran out in the third period.
Gross kicked his third field goal
late in the fourth period.
The Indians sacked Smith nine
times, including four by Montgomery, Sanders, Lockhart and DeVonte Peterson had two sacks
apiece.
Catawba will open its home
schedule against Mars Hill Saturday. |
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