The University of Virginia's College at Wise Athletics

GREENEVILLE, TN -- UVA Wise took an early lead, but Tusculum rallied to tie the game and the teams traded touchdowns before a late turnover led to a go-ahead Pioneer score with less than a minute left as Tusculum escaped Pioneer Field with the 24-17 South Atlantic Conference win.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Tusculum 24, UVA Wise 17
Records: UVA Wise (1-7, 1-5 SAC); Tusculum (4-4, 3-3 SAC)
Location: Greeneville, TN | Pioneer Field

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
- The Cavs scored on their first two possessions, opening with Aiden Magee's 21-yard field goal before McCalan Beason hit Thomas McCoy for a 24-yard touchdown.
- Beason completed 6 of 7 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the quarter.
- The Highland Cavaliers forced the only turnover of the quarter, with Nehemiah Jones recovering a Tusculum fumble at the Tusculum 24 before the one-play touchdown drive.
- Tusculum rushed for 60 yards but went 0-for-1 passing, settling for a 22-yard field goal as the Cavaliers led 10-3 after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
- Tusculum turned the Cavs' lone turnover into the quarter's only scoring drive, completing a 27-yard touchdown pass as time expired and adding the extra point to tie the game 10-10.
- The Cavaliers generated 105 passing yards on 6-of-12 passing, including gains of 29 yards to Hunter Purdue and 24 yards to Isaiah Boyd.
- The Highland Cavaliers' only red-zone trip ended on downs at the Tusculum 1, and the visitors finished 2-for-3 on third down but 0-for-1 on fourth down.
 
Third Quarter
- Tusculum scored the quarter's only points on a 10-play, 80-yard drive and led 17-10 after the PAT.
- The Cavaliers' offense was held to three rushing yards, 27 passing yards and two first downs in the quarter.
- Jalen Pickens forced and recovered a fumble at the Tusculum 47, giving the Cavs their lone takeaway of the quarter.
- The Highland Cavaliers converted their only fourth-down try on McCalan Beason's 19-yard pass to Purdue, but the drive ended with a blocked 38-yard field-goal attempt.
 
Fourth Quarter
- The Cavaliers held the ball for 10:28 in the quarter and produced nine first downs, including four by penalty, while Tusculum was flagged four times for 54 yards.
- McCalan Beason's 1-yard touchdown run and Aiden Magee's PAT tied the game at 17-17 with 7:57 left.
- The Cavs threw for 84 yards in the quarter, led by Hunter Purdue's four catches for 41 yards and Isaiah Boyd's 27-yard reception.
- Tusculum turned an interception at its own 3-yard line into a 97-yard scoring drive, adding a 3-yard rushing touchdown and PAT in the final seconds for a 24-17 finish.
 
GETTING WISE
- McCalan Beason went 22-for-38 passing for 292 yards and a touchdown pass. Healso scored a rushing touchdown.
- Hunter Purdue had ten receptions for 138 receiving yards.
Jalen Pickens had 16 tackles, including eleven solo, and had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The last Cav to have 16 tackles was Marcus Tarrer vs. Glenville State on Aug. 30, 2018 and the last time one had 11 or more solo tackles was Zachary Blair's 13 at Fairmont State on Oct. 24, 2015.
- Connor Pleasants added in eleven tackles and forced a fumble.
- Thomas McCoy had three receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown.
- Tusculum out-gained the Cavs 225-41 on the ground but UVA Wise had 292 passing yards to 126 by the Pioneers.

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