Lions felled by Pioneers in 2019 road finale
The Mars Hill football team (5-5, 4-3 SAC) was defeated by a score of 24-7 versus Tusculum (5-5, 4-3 SAC) Saturday afternoon.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Mars Hill football team (5-5, 4-3 SAC) was defeated by a score of 24-7 versus Tusculum (5-5, 4-3 SAC) Saturday afternoon.
Jimmy Urzua threw for 245 yards and one touchdown. The duo of Christopher Roberts and Elijah Jett each recorded 31 yards rushing while Tyler Ferguson led the Lions with 70 receiving yards on six catches. Craig Rucker caught four passes for 59 yards and the lone touchdown on the day. His four receptions have set a Mars Hill record for most receptions in a single season (83). Dexter Fitzpatrick led the Lions with seven tackles followed by six apiece by Mikial Fourney and Earl Adams.
Tusculum held Mars Hill off the scoreboard the entire second half, outscoring the Lions 21-0. The Pioneers regained the lead just 2:32 into the third quarter as Jacob Moss caught a 13-yard pass from the falling Joaquin Collazo to go up 10-7. With under a minute to play in the frame, a failed backwards pass resulted in a fumble recovery scoop and score for Javon Green to build the Pioneer lead to 10 points.
Early in the fourth quarter, Tusculum added an insurance score as Thurlow Wilkins recorded his lone touchdown on a 12-yard run.
Trailing 3-0 after the first quarter of play, the Lions took their lone lead of the contest with 10:02 to play in the half. Urzua connected with a diving Rucker on a 31-yard reception.
The Tusculum defense forced five turnovers and possessed the ball just over 32 minutes on the day.
Mars Hill closes out the 2019 season on Saturday, November 16 when they take on Wingate. The Senior Day game will have a kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
