Greeneville, Tenn. – The Lenoir-Rhyne University Football Team (2-3, 1-2) earned its first South Atlantic Conference win of the year with a 23-7 triumph over Tusculum (2-3, 0-2) Saturday evening at Pioneer Field.

Lenoir-Rhyne sophomore running back Nelson Brown (Salisbury, Md.) rushed for 256 yards on 30 carries – fourth-highest in school history – to go along with two scores as the Bears defeated the Pioneers for the sixth straight year.  Brown's 261 yards against the Pioneers last year (September 17, 2016, in a 31-3 win) is the program's third-highest in single-game history.

Lenoir-Rhyne staked itself to a 10-0 lead when sophomore tight end Sam Camargo (Kissimmee, Fla.) caught his team-leading fourth touchdown pass of the year, a 15-yarder from sophomore quarterback Jarrod Kellar (Shinnston, W.Va.) midway through the second quarter.

Brown gave the Bears a 16-0 advantage with his first of two rushing touchdowns – a three-yarder – with 2:38 left in the first half before Tusculum finally got on the board just 12 seconds before halftime.

Tusculum's Evan Gates (Charlotte, N.C.) caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Alex Ogle (Hobe Sound, Fla.) but the Bears were able to keep the Pioneers off the scoreboard the rest of the way.  Lenoir-Rhyne's defense held Tusculum to just 257 yards of offense including 49 on the ground in addition to three sacks.

Brown rounded out the scoring with a 19-yard run midway through the fourth quarter while sophomore safety Denzal Gilmore (Concord, N.C.) totaled nine tackles, three pass break-ups and a forced fumble to lead the Bears on defense.  Lenoir-Rhyne totaled 356 yards on offense in the victory.

Lenoir-Rhyne returns to Moretz Stadium to host Newberry next Saturday as part of Homecoming Weekend beginning at 2:00 p.m., while Tusculum hosts Mars Hill Saturday, October 7, at 6:00 p.m.