The Newberry College Wolves opened the 2024 South Atlantic Conference schedule with a 50-20 victory at Tusculum. Dwayne Wright ran for 142 yards on seven carries and a score, quarterback Reed Charpia completed 13 of 17 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, Quez Spells and Keith Desaussures each scored twice while the Wolves defense accounted for a safety, two turnovers and held the Pioneers to 251 total yards. Despite having the ball for just one more play, the Wolves outgained the Pioneers by 200 yards, 451 to 251. Newberry was a perfect 6-for-6 scoring inside the red zone, averaging 6.1 yards per rush while gaining 244 yards on the ground. The Wolves had five rushing touchdowns for the first time since rushing for five scores against Erskine on October 30, 2021. The 50 points scored was the most for the Wolves since defeating Erskine 54-14 on April 3, 2020. Bryce Early led the special teams with a pair of field goals and eight of his nine kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. Ja Stevens came up with an interception and returned it 27 yards to set up a third quarter field goal, Colby Taylor had two quarterback sacks, brother Luke Taylor broke up a fourth down pass in the first quarter that led to a field goal and Chucky Roach led the team with six tackles. The Wolves jumped out to a terrific start, taking the opening kickoff and rumbling 77 yards in just five plays with Wright capping the effort with a 29-yard scoring run. After the Wolves specials teams pinned the Pioneers back on their own 19-yard line, Tusculum snapped the ball over the quarterback’s head who kicked it out of the end zone for a safety to give the Wolves a 9-0 lead just over two minutes into the game. After a Wolves turnover the Newberry defense forced a three and out and the offense came alive again, exploding for 67 yards on just four plays with Keith Desaussure’s scoring on a 6-yard end around to extend the lead to 16-0. Bryce Early kicked a 25-yard field goal to extend the lead to 19-0. After a long Tusculum touchdown run, the Wolves’ offense responded with a 9-play, 67-yard drive as Charpia completed a 34-yard pass to Desaussure on third down to increase the lead to 26-6. After a missed Pioneer field goal, Wright ripped off a 62-yard run down to the Tusculum 9-yard line.  On the next play Spells scored to cap the first half scoring at 33-6. Spells was the star on the next Wolves scoring drive in the third quarter with runs of 21, 8 and a one-yard scoring run to give Newberry a 40-13 lead. Charpia scored on a quarterback sneak from the one-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter and Early added his second field goal from 32 yards to get the Wolves to 50 points. The Wolves will return home to host UVA Wise Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Categories: Local Sports, South Carolina Sports, Sports