By Mike London
Salisbury Post
SALISBURY — The Tusculum Pioneers look like a prudent choice for Catawba’s homecoming opponent.
Catawba is favored by 11 points by the Massey Ratings with a win probability of 78 percent. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
Tusculum hasn’t won a game since beating Bluefield State in late August. The Pioneers have been 0-5 in September and October, with consecutive South Atlantic Conference losses to Lenoir-Rhyne, Anderson, Emory & Henry, UVA Wise and Newberry.
Catawba will be eager to pile on.
However, Tusculum’s one-score loss to league-leading Newberry two weeks ago indicated two things.
First, there’s not a humongous difference between the SAC’s top and the SAC’s bottom.
Second, there’s a chance Saturday night’s game on Kirkland Field at Shuford Stadium might get serious. It’s losable if Catawba plays poorly and Tusculum plays well.
And Tusculum might play well. Tusculum has absolutely nothing to lose. Tusculum also should be beyond hungry, ravenous really, having endured nearly two months without the sweet taste of victory.
The Pioneers are touted as interception kings. They have thrown zero picks, while picking off a league-leading eight passes.
Of course, it’s hard to throw an interception unless you throw a pass. Tusculum averages only nine passes per game. That’s an astounding stat as much as Tusculum has been behind. At least, Tusculum’s distrust of the forward pass should mean a quick game.
It also should be noted that Tusculum has scored three defensive touchdowns. That ranks fourth in Division II.
Need one more positive Tusculum stat? The Pioneers average 202 rushing yards.
Catawba (5-2, 3-2) and Tusculum (1-5, 0-5) have both had two weeks to prepare. Catawba lost at Wingate in its most recent outing, so the Indians will be ready to get back on track.
The SAC race is fascinating and was jumbled even more last week by Wingate’s win against Emory & Henry.
Newberry has only one SAC loss — that was to Catawba. Emory & Henry, Wingate, Catawba and Carson-Newman have two league losses. Anderson, Lenoir-Rhyne and Mars Hill have dropped three SAC games.
UVA Wise and Tusculum are at the bottom of the standings. UVA Wise has beaten Tusculum, so Tusculum would get a lot of votes as the SAC’s shakiest team if a poll were conducted today.
Rashad Watson, a quick linebacker, leads Tusculum and the SAC in tackles per game.
Catawba’s Preston Brown is among the SAC’s top five passers, while Kevin Lalin is among the top five rushers.
Catawba’s official website will offer lots of “Know before you go” tips regarding tickets and tailgating prior to Saturday’s excitement.
WSAT (Ken Anderson handles play-by-play) will broadcast the game if you can’t make it.
Saturday’s games
Lenoir-Rhyne at Mars Hill, 1 p.m.
Wingate at Anderson, 2 p.m.
UVA Wise at Carson-Newman, 3 p.m.
Emory & Henry at Newberry, 6 p.m.
Tusculum at Catawba, 6 p.m.
Rashad Watson leads the conference with his 9.7 tackles per game average which is rated 18th in the nation. Watson’s 4.83 solo tackles per game average is 44th in NCAA II and second in the league.
Dylan Horne’s 1.40 tackles for loss per game average is third in the conference and 32nd nationally.
Tusculum returns to action this Saturday when they travel to Catawba for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Shuford Stadium.
