URBANA, Ohio

Tusculum (1-2) records its first victory of the season, while the Blue Knights even their record at 2-2.

Tusculum rallied from an early deficit with 28 straight points, including a 21-point second quarter.

Both teams combined for over 1,000 yards offensively (TC 525, UU 507) with a majority of the yardage coming via the air.

Tusculum had 499 passing yards.

Cordell, a native of nearby Cincinnati, had a fine outing in his return to his home state as he went 27-for-38, including three touchdowns. The Indian Hill High School graduate also rushed for a six-yard TD for Tusculum's opening score.

Cordell completed passes to eight different receivers, led by senior All-American Ryan Tallent who hauled in eight receptions for 110 yards. All-American tight end Jarrell NeSmith added four catches for 99 yards, while Calvin Britt tallied four grabs for 66 yards.

The Blue Knights struck first on the game's opening possession but then Tusculum responded with four straight touchdowns and never trailed again.

Cordell scored on a 6-yard run. He then passed for Marcus Foster for a 77-yard touchdown. Colin Wigely plunged in from the 2 for the Pioneers, and Cordell hit Deonte' Gist for a 49-yard touchdown strike.

Urbana came back with a pair of touchdowns to make the score 28-21 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Gareth Rowlands hit a 41-yard field goal for the Pioneers, NeSmith took a Cordell pass 88 yards to the end zone, and Jamar Ferguson pulled in a 10-yard touchdown pass.

Urbana quarterback Evan Gehlert had a good day, going 23-of-53 for 371 yards and four touchdowns.

Miles Washington led the Tusculum defense with a career-high nine tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble, while Marcus Jackson finished with eight stops.

The Pioneers open South Atlantic Conference play Thursday night as they host Wingate in Tusculum's home opener.

The game, which will be televised nationally on CBS College Sports and locally on FSN South, will kickoff at 8:05 p.m.