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Skyhawks fall to Tusculum, 33-6


After last week’s win against Southwest Missouri Baptist College, the UTM Skyhawks were anticipating their chance to keep their winning streak alive. Unfortunately after last night’s game against the Tusculum Pioneers, their streak came to a screeching halt.

UTM got off to a good start, leading 6-5 midway through the second quarter but slid as Tusculum got a touchdown with just under six minutes left in the half to take the lead for good. The Pioneers put up 21 unanswered points in the second half to roll to a 33-6 victory over UTM.

UTM falls to 1-1 on the season while Tusculum improves to 2-0.

The Pioneers, who compete in NCAA Division II, are currently ranked 17 in the nation.

The Skyhawks will return to action Sept. 12 as they host Kentucky Wesleyan at Graham Stadium at 7 p.m. Tusculum will travel to Morehouse on Sept. 14.

UTM received the ball to begin the game but turned it over in four plays. In Tusculum’s first play of its drive, quarterback Carson Bradley threw an interception to Perez Boyd to give the Skyhawks the ball back.

The Pioneers pushed UTM back into the endzone for a safety to put the Pioneers up 2-0 to start the game. Carlos Lattimore rushed for a loss of three yards and was tackled by Adria Westfield and Craig Pritchett in the end zone for a safety.

Brent Harris kicked off 66 yards where it landed out of bounds at the 14-yard line.

The ball was placed at the 50-yard line to begin the Pioneer rush. Bradley made an incomplete pass to Reggie Jones on third down leaving the Pioneers no other option but to punt.

Brice Stefanick punted the ball 34 yards to the UTM 10, where Trent Findley returned the ball 6 yards to the UTM 16.

UTM’s drive started as Robert Hines rushed for a loss of 2 yards. Tusculum received a facemask penalty of 14 yards leaving the Skyhawks at the 28- yard line with a first down.

Shane Williams, Lattimore, and Sam Berrien rushed the ball to the 20-yard line where Brent Harris kicked a 37- yard field goal, leaving UTM up, 3-2.

Tusculum then turned the ball over on a fumble by Bradley, which was recovered by Kidane McBride at the 46-yard line.

The Skyhawks rode out the quarter advancing to the Tusculum 35-yard line to hold the 3-2 lead.

UTM started the second quarter on a fourth down with four yards to go. This set Harris up for a career high 51-yard field goal, leaving UTM up 6-2. Harris was only 2 yards shy of breaking the field goal record at UTM.

After Harris’s 56-yard kickoff, Jason Nance, Jonathan Brewer and Kevin Wolcott rushed the ball 45 yards to the 31-yard line.

Stefanick made a 47-yard field goal to make the score 6-5.

The ball changed possession two more times before Tusculum started its last scoring drive of the half with 8:44 to go. Antwain Glenn led the attack as he picked up 48 yards in passing to get the Pioneers in scoring range. Tony Colsten scored on a 1 yard run with Stefanick making good on the extra point for a 12-6 halftime lead.

The third quarter was a defensive battle with neither team making any ground until late in the quarter. The quarterback Colsten accounted for a majority of the 59 yards of the drive, eventually finding Jason Nance in the end zone for a touch down. Stefanick made good on the kick for a 19-6 Tusculum lead to finish out the third quarter.

The Pioneers picked up in the fourth quarter after Donald Amaker returned Paul Wilson’s punt for 76 yards. Stefanick’s field goal attempt was good leaving Tusculum up by 10 points.

The Skyhawks were only able to gain 4 yards on the kick off before Williams threw a pass that was intercepted by Daris Robinson. Robinson returned the ball 25 yards for a touch down. Stefanick completed on the extra point attempt, making the final score 33-6.

Colsten led the Pioneers in rushing and passing as he gained 39 yards on eight rushes and completed 23 of 33 passes for 245 yards. Glenn led Tusculum in receiving with 61 yards.

Williams led the Skyhawks in rushing and passing with 62 yards on 14 rushes and completing four of nine passes for 39 yards. Williams also threw one interception.

Taylor led UTM in receiving with 16 yards on two receptions.

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Lisa Ashby

Assistant coach Sammy McCorkle talks with some of his players during some free time. Inset: Two UTM players work to bring down a Tusculum runner. UTM will return to action Sept. 12 against Kentucky Wesleyan