GAME DAY CENTRAL
Tusculum at Catawba
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Shuford Stadium Stadium
4:00 p.m.
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SALISBURY, N.C. – The Catawba College football team will play its first home game of the season tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. against Tusculum University in a South Atlantic Conference matchup inside Shuford Stadium.
Catawba Outlook
Catawba is coming off a 38-7 loss at Mars Hill last Saturday and currently sit at 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the SAC. Tusculum is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play following a 27-10 loss against Wingate a week ago.
Last week Catawba was held scoreless until the final three minutes of the contest until Ridge Jacobs connected with Will Sheehan on a 53-yard touchdown pass. Jacobs was brought into the game after starting quarterback Kamron Hill was forced out of the contest due to injury, and is the projected starter for week four. The Jacksonville, Florida native is a 6-1 transfer from the University of South Florida who will take over an offense that's looking to make a bounce-back from last week's seven-point output.
On the outside, veteran receiver Will Sheehan leads the team in receptions (8), yards (112), and touchdown receptions (2). Last game he had five catches for 88 yards with a score as he has two or more catches in the last two games and a touchdown reception in two if the first three games.
On the ground, Leroy Bracey, Jr. comes into week four as Catawba's leading rusher with 26 attempts for 160 yards. The Camden, South Carolina product has been efficient with his looks after getting 11 carries for 115 yards in week one, he had just eight carries in the third and fourth quarters against Shorter, and was limited to seven touches against Mars Hill.
Catawba's defense has been led by defensive lineman Mike Jones through three games. Jones has 19 total tackles with six solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss. Next in line has been linebacker Christian Bennett. The Salisbury native has stepped up after linebacker partner Christian Bennett went down in week two. In the last two games, Bennett has racked up 13 stops.
Tusculum Outlook
The Tusculum Pioneers are coming into this week four matchup having dropped their conference-opening game at home against Wingate 27-10 last Saturday. Tusculum outgained the Bulldogs 248-212 in the contest, but Wingate got home for a program record 12 sacks against the Pioneers. Tusculum also fumbled the ball three times, lost one, and threw and interception.
As a team, Tusculum ranks second in the conference in points per game at 34.3 (scored 73 against St. Augustine's in week one), second in passing yards per game (255.7), and fourth in yards per game (375). On defense, Tusculum is second in the conference in yards allowed per game (216.7), and fourth in both rushing yards allowed (93.3) and points allowed per game (20.3).
Their offense is led by quarterback Tre Simmons who is tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns (7) and is second in the SAC in passing yards per game (243.3). A native of Tampa Florida, Simmons has thrown for 730 yards this season and has a completion percentage of 55.8%. He also has thrown four interceptions, fumbled six times, and has lost two of those fumbles.
Cortney Jackson is Tusculum's leading rusher with 23 attempts, 143 rushing yards, and a touchdown on the year. Justice Parham is the team's leading pass catcher with 13 receptions for 191 yards and two scores.
On defense, linebacker Wesley Scott leads the Pioneers with 21 total tackles, eight solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Defensive back Jermaine Witherspoon leads the secondary with 17 tackles, a TFL, and an interception.
Ticket Information
Tickets to tomorrow's home opener are available for purchase here.
About Catawba College Athletics
Catawba College Athletics has been a part of the College since its beginning in 1851. Baseball and tennis were among the first sports played at Catawba followed by football which started in 1906. Approximately 43% of Catawba's student body are student athletes competing on 23 NCAA Division II sports teams that offer more than 120 full athletic scholarships. Men's sports include Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, and Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. Women's sports include Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, and Volleyball. Catawba College is located conveniently in Salisbury, NC and is ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South. Find out more at gocatawbaindians.com.
About Catawba College
Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college conveniently located in Salisbury, N.C. Ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South, Catawba is a learning community providing students unique opportunities to discover their vocation, calling, passions, and purpose as they prepare to reach their highest potential. The College offers more than 70 undergraduate and three graduate programs allowing students to explore diverse interests and create their own academic pathway. Additional information is available at catawba.edu.
