GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry University Football Team (3-1, 2-1 SAC) got back in the win column Saturday afternoon as the Wasps defeated Tusculum University (1-3, 0-2 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference play. E&H took a close 13-6 lead into the halftime break, before outscoring the Pioneers 21-7 in the second stanza for the 34-13 victory. The Wasps increased their all-time record to 16-4 against Tusculum.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 34, Tusculum 13
LOCATION – Greeneville, Tennessee
VENUE – Pioneer Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (3-1, 2-1 SAC); Tusculum (1-3, 0-2 SAC)
How It Happened
Emory & Henry capitalized on its first possession of the game as the Wasps marched 75 yards down the field in nine plays to take an early lead. Junior quarterback Cole Lambert (Abingdon, Va.) was 5-for-5 for 62 yards and capped off the drive with a 34-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Jakari Mozelle (Hampton, Va.) to make it 7-0.
Both teams struggled to move the ball offensively and the Pioneers forced a pair of interceptions by Lambert on consecutive Wasp drives. TU went down the field after the second turnover, driving 33 yards on six plays. Jerome Newland found the end zone from four yards out to get the Pioneers on the board. The extra point was no good and the Wasps clung to a narrow 7-6 advantage.
The squads were kept off of the scoreboard on their next possessions, but E&H was able to break through just before the half. Emory & Henry matriculated the ball 60 yards over nine plays and senior running back Jordan Jackson (Richmond, Va.) plunged in on a four-yard carry to find paydirt and increase the Wasps' advantage. This time the E&H extra point attempt was blocked and the score held at 13-6 at the break.
The Wasps' special teams unit came up big to begin the second half. The defense made a big stop on third down thanks to a sack from sophomore defensive lineman Connor Roberts (Bluefield, Va.) to force a punt. Sophomore linebacker Trey McBride (Dinwiddie, Va.) broke through the line and blocked the punt attempt while redshirt freshman defensive back Emmanuel Lusca (Winchester, Va.) scooped up the live ball and sprinted 37 yards into the end zone to balloon the visitors' margin out to 20-7.
E&H held Tusculum on a fourth down attempt on the ensuing possession, then pushed the lead out to 27-6 on another eight-play, 32-yard drive culminating in an eight-yard touchdown pass from Lambert to sophomore wide receiver Gabe Karstaedt (Leesburg, Va.).
The Wasps rounded out their scoring a few minutes into the final quarter as they strung together a 54-yard, seven-play scoring drive. Lambert completed his trio of touchdown passes as he found freshman wide receiver Khyair Lundy (Greensboro, N.C.) from 26 yards out to run the score out to 34-6.
The Pioneers would add a touchdown late as they drove 90 yards on 14 plays in 8:55 of game time and found the end zone on a one-yard carry by Richard Hunter to send the score to its final at 34-13.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Lambert was 14-for-22 through the air for 168 yards and three touchdowns, but turned the ball over with a pair of interceptions. Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Williams (Alexandria, Va.) was 3-for-7 for 21 yards and carried the ball seven times for 24 yards. Jackson rushed for 46 yards on 10 carries with a score while redshirt freshman running back Devin Bryant (Midlothian, Va.) added 16 yards on a pair of attempts..
Mozelle led the receiving corps with 58 yards on four catches and a score while senior wide receiver Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.) added 30 yards on four receptions. In total, nine different receivers finished with at least one reception.
Defensively, senior linebacker A.J. Burgess (Roxboro, N.C.) had a team-high 13 tackles, one for loss, and a forced fumble, while senior defensive back Tyreon Porter (Charlotte, N.C.) had eight tackles, 1.5 for loss. Lusca posted five tackles and senior linebacker Kasey Branch (Waynesboro, Va.) added five stops of his own. Five other Wasps recorded four tackles each in the win.
Tusculum Individual Leaders
Hunter threw for just 39 yards on 3-for-8 passing while carrying the ball 15 times for 28 yards and a score.
Otasowie Dion recorded 63 yards on 10 carries and Lex Dinwiddie went for 15 yards on three attempts. John Celestin led the Pioneers with 34 yards receiving on a pair of catches.
Rashad Watson led the defensive effort for TU with 10 tackles, 1.5 for loss. David Alston had seven stops while DJ Dailey and Malachi Jim-Lawson added four tackles and a pass breakup.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry finished with 294 yards of total offense on 55 plays, including rushing for 105 yards on 26 attempts and passing for 189 net yards. The Pioneers had 175 yards on 55 plays from scrimmage.
The Wasps were 7-for-11 (64%) on third-down while Tusculum converted 53% (8-for-15) of their third-down chances.
Tusculum won the turnover battle, forcing a pair of interceptions without turning the ball over.
TU was less disciplined during the game as the Pioneers committed 10 penalties for 97 yards compared to seven penalties for 60 yards for the Wasps.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns home next Saturday, September 27 when the Wasps host the Trojans of Anderson (S.C.) University for the first Kick for a Cure Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Fred Selfe Stadium.
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