WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College football team (2-3, 1-2) saw a 13-point lead disappear in a 14-13 setback to Tusculum (4-1, 2-1) Thursday evening in a South Atlantic Conference game at Electrics Supply Company Field and Truist Stadium. The game was moved up 48 hours due to Hurricane Ian.
The Pioneers' Mekhai Johnson (Dorchester, Mass.) scored from one-yard out with 13:12 remaining in the fourth quarter which capped off a seven-play, 67-yard drive as the visitors won their second straight contest.
Barton jumped out to a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter thanks to an 81-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back
Jordan Terrell (Ramseur, N.C.) and a 10-yard touchdown reception from sophomore wideout
Kameron Johnson (Rocky Mount, N.C.) but the Bulldogs were held off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Terrell finished with 171 yards rushing and the Bulldogs held a 345-297 edge in total yards but Barton missed field goal attempts of 47 and 50 yards, respectively, on their last two possessions in the setback. Barton sophomore quarterback
Jaquan Lynch (Rocky Mount, N.C.) finished with 180 yards – 140 through the air and 40 on the ground – and one touchdown pass while sophomore linebacker
Shane Perry (Holly Springs, N.C.) totaled 14 tackles in the losing effort.
Tusculum's quarterback, Tre Simmons (Tampa, Fla.), threw for 175 yards and a score while Wesley Scott (Hobe Sound, Fla.) also finished with 14 takedowns in the win.
Barton hits the road to take on No. 7 Newberry next Saturday, October 8, at 4:00 p.m., in Newberry, S.C., in a league contest while Tusculum hosts Carson-Newman on Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m.
