JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the sixth in a 10-part series breaking down each of Carson-Newman football's opponents for the 2014 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles' week seven contest – Oct. 18 at Tusculum.
Carson-Newman renews the second oldest rivalry in the state of Tennessee when it travels east on US 11-E to face off with the Tusculum Pioneers. The Eagles have won five straight in the series dating back to a 45-44 loss in 2008.
The Pioneers are loaded with pass catchers, but now Frankie DeBusk's squad must find someone to get them the ball. Record-setting quarterback Bo Cordell bids the program adieu for wintery pastures of the Canadian Football League.
While wearing the black and orange, Cordell accounted for the most prolific passing career in NCAA Division II history. The Cincinnati, Ohio native owns 15 NCAA II records, including career passing yards (16,265 – 4th all NCAA divisions), career completions (1,397 – 3rd all NCAA divisions), career pass attempts (2,187 – 3rd all NCAA divisions) career total offensive yards (16,432 – 4th all NCAA divisions) and total offensive plays in a career (2,572 – 2nd all NCAA divisions).
DeBusk indicated during the South Atlantic Conference's Digital Media Day that the Pioneers had four candidates for Cordell's replacement, but couldn't narrow it down further as of Aug. 11.
Kyle Dickey is the only returning QB with experienced. He appeared in five games last year, completed 9-of-16 passes for 69 yards with a touchdown.
The good news is that if TC can get a QB who can put it in the area of a receiver, chances are that guy will catch it.
The Pioneers bring back four players who had at least 500 yards receiving and three more who caught at least 10 passes with 100 yards catching passes.
The leader of the group is preseason All-American Justin Houston, who racked up 1,347 yards and seven scores last year. Complementing him are preseason All-American tight end Wesley Powell, first team All-SAC receiver Deon Hicks and Johnathan Diliberto. Hicks caught 43 passes for 784 yards, Powell 38 for 520 yards and Diliberto 29 for 515. All three players had at least three TDs. The question is, can they help the Pioneers replicate the nation's fourth best passing offense from a year ago with someone not named Bo Cordell three steps behind the line of scrimmage.
In spite of TC's offensive proficiency, the Pioneers could only muster a 4-7 record and 2-5 mark in SAC play. That was largely because of TC's defense.
The Pioneers surrendered a league worst 37.5 points per game last year. The Pioneers were in the bottom 25 nationally for pass efficiency defense, sacks, tackles for loss and total defense.
However, there is cause for hope for TC defensively. The Pioneers return eight starters, including all-conference defensive back LiRonta Archie. Archie is the Pioneers leading returning tackler after a 76-stop season last year.
The Pioneers do have to replace All-American linebacker Brian Alexander and his 126 stops from a year ago.
An additional bonus for TC, all five special teams starters return.
Carson-Newman's Better Know The Opponent series returns Tuesday with a preview of week eight opponent North Greenville.
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