Joshua Simmons
Graduate DB Joshua Simmons set the program's single-game record with 19 tackles against Tusculum.
10
Limestone LC 0-3 , 0-1
37
Winner Tusculum TU 2-1 , 1-0
Limestone LC
0-3 , 0-1
10
Final
37
Tusculum TU
2-1 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
LC Limestone 0 7 0 3 10
TU Tusculum 10 14 10 3 37

Game Recap: Football | | Ernest Meyers, Assistant A.D. for Media Relations

Limestone Football Drops Conference Opener to Tusculum, 37-10

GREENEVILLE, TENN. – The Limestone College football team wrapped up its three-game road trip to start the 2018 season by dropping a 37-10 decision to Tusculum University in the South Atlantic Conference opener for both teams on Friday, September 14 at Pioneer Field.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Tusculum 37, Limestone 10
Records: Tusculum (2-1, 1-0), Limestone (0-3, 0-1)
Location: Pioneer Field
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 
  • Sophomore RB Jerko'ya Patton (Charlotte, N.C.) rushed for 100 yards on 13 carries
  • In his first start, freshman QB Alec Morton (Simpsonville, S.C.) went 13-of-35 for 122 yards
  • Freshman Malik Brooks (Saluda, S.C.) added 49 rushing yards and 46 receiving yards
  • Graduate DB Joshua Simmons (Moncks Corner, S.C.) set a program record with 19 tackles
  • Junior DB DJ Witherspoon (Moncks Corner, S.C.) recorded a pick-six
  • Junior DB Armonte Prioleau (St. Stephen, S.C.) also finished with an interception
  • Senior LB Dalton Yates (Easley, S.C.) posted eight tackles and a sack
  • Limestone turned the ball over four times on the night
  • The Saints registered 282 yards of offense, but gave up 460 yards on defense
  • Tusculum rushed for 390 yards and four touchdowns on the ground
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Quarter
 
Limestone had a nice opening drive as it marched 51 yards on 10 plays, highlighted by a 19-yard catch-and-run by Brooks on 3rd-and-15, but it would come to a close following a turnover deep in TU territory.
 
The Pioneers wasted little time moving down the field as Gaffney native Jordon Shippy gashed the Limestone defense with 44 yards on the ground, capped by a five-yard TD run to make it a 7-0 game. Tusculum would then add a 26-yard field goal late in the opening quarter to extend the margin to 10-0.
 
Second Quarter
 
Following another turnover, the defensive unit for the Saints came up big when Witherspoon stepped in front of a short pass on the visiting sideline. He would take it 22 yards to the house – Limestone's first defensive touchdown of the season – as the Blue and Gold cut the lead to 10-7 early in the second.  
 
Tusculum was driving on the ensuing possession, moving the ball inside the 10-yard line, but sophomore DB Mannie Ogletree (North Augusta, S.C.) came up with a block on a short field goal attempt. Limestone was not able to turn the momentum though as the offense was forced to punt a few plays later.
 
Following an 18-yard punt, the Pioneers needed just two plays to get into the end zone as the home team started to pull away. Tusculum, who finished with 278 rushing yards in the opening half, again moved the ball at will on its next possession as a 5-play, 76-yard drive pushed the advantage to 24-7 at the break.  
 
Third Quarter
 
The Limestone defense would get a stop on Tusculum first drive of the third quarter as Prioleau registered an interception for the second straight week. However, the Saints would picks on consecutive plays, allowing the home-standing Pioneers to quickly extend their lead to 34-7 with 6:32 remaining.
 
Looking for the first offensive touchdown of the night, the Saints moved the ball down to the Tusculum 5 following a 31-yard run by Patton late in the third. The Pioneers held firm, however, keeping the Blue and Gold out of the end zone on four straight plays, including two straight for the 1-yard line.
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Falling behind 37-7 early in the fourth, the Limestone offense generated its first points of the night as Patton started the drive with a 22-yard scamper before a 15-yard scramble by Morton set the team up in the red zone. Senior Griffin Martin (Goose Creek, S.C.) would close the scoring with a 28-yard field goal.   
 
TURNING POINT
 
Although the Saints trailed by three midway through the second, the team was in good shape following a blocked field goal attempt by Ogletree. The Pioneers began pulling away late in the quarter, however, as a short two-play drive and a quick 5-play, 76-yard drive extended the lead to 24-7 at the half.
 
NOTABLES
 
  • Limestone's last interception return for a touchdown came during the 2016 season
  • The Saints surrendered over 400 yards of offense for a third straight game
  • The Blue and Gold falls to 1-3 all-time against the Pioneers
  • Patton posted his fifth career 100-yard game
 
UP NEXT
 
Following three straight road contests to open the year, the Saints will finally play a home game when they host nationally eighth-ranked University of West Alabama on Saturday, September 22. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at The Reservation at Gaffney High School.
 
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