GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Patrick Dennis accounted for four touchdowns and led his squad to 28 second half points to lead the Catawba College football team to a 41-27 South Atlantic Conference win at Tusculum College Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field.

The Catawba Indians (4-3, 1-3 SAC) rallied from a 20-13 halftime deficit and got three TD passes by Dennis in the third quarter as Tusculum (1-6, 0-4 SAC) drops its fourth straight game, while Catawba ends a three-game losing skid.

Dennis went 18-for-29 for 247 yards and three touchdowns, while also capping the Catawba scoring with a one-yard TD run with 6:58 remaining in the contest.

Tusculum rookie quarterback Bo Cordell passed for 392 yards, going 32-for-50 on the day with four touchdowns. But the Catawba defense picked off Cordell twice in the fourth quarter and sacked him 10 times on the afternoon, including three alone by Brandon Sutton.

TC tight end Jarrell NeSmith led all players with a career-high 12 receptions for 112 yards, while teammate Deonte’ Gist tallied six grabs for a career-best 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Tusculum out-gained Catawba in offensive yardage by a 459-373 margin, but the Tribe forced three turnovers in the second half, converting 14 of those into points. Tusculum was also whistled for 13 penalties for 112 yards, including three for 30 yards on Catawba’s opening possession, capped off by a Antonio Hall two-yard run 1:14 into the contest. Thomas Trexler’s kick made it a 7-0 Catawba lead.

Tusculum answered later in the quarter when Gerron Bryant fumbled at midfield, which was recovered by TC’s Javon Forsett. Seven plays later, Cordell found Rashaad Carter on a four-yard scoring strike at the 7:21 mark of the quarter. Gareth Rowlands missed his first extra point of the season as Catawba led 7-6.

The Catawba Indians added to their lead on the ensuing possession as TC attempted an on-side kick, which was recovered by the Tribe. Catawba would use the short field to set up a 39-yard field goal by Trexler to move up 10-6.

TC didn’t waste time to answer as on the first offensive play of the drive, Cordell completed a 63-yard TD pass to Gist to give Tusculum its first lead of the game at 13-10. On its next possession, Catawba took advantage of a pair of Tusculum personal foul penalties to move into Pioneer territory and Trexler capitalized again with a 36-yard field goal that split the uprights ti knot the game at 13-13 in the final moments of the opening quarter.

Tusculum put together one of its longest scoring drives of the season as TC went 83 yards on 13 plays, taking off 5:01 on the clock as Cordell completed a 15-yard pass to Gist with 10:33 remaining before halftime to regain the lead at 20-13.

Tusculum and its defense carried the momentum into the locker room as the Pioneers turned away Catawba on a pair of fourth-and-goal stands from the one and two yard lines to lead at the intermission for only the second time this season (other time was Sept. 19 in 45-35 win at Urbana).

TC received the kickoff to open the second half, but Catawba’s Wilbur Pender stripped the ball away from Marcus Foster, which was recovered by the Tribe’s Terrence Porter at the TC 36. On the second offensive play, Dennis completed a 29-yard scoring pass to Bryant in the corner of the end zone to tie the game at 27-27 at the 13:36 mark of the third quarter.

After a Tusculum punt, Catawba used a six-play, 81-yard scoring drive as Dennis completed a 30-yard pass to Brandon Bunn as the Indians re-took the lead 27-20 with 8:15 remaining in the third quarter. For Bunn, it was his SAC-leading ninth touchdown reception.

The Pioneers responded on the ensuing possession as Cordell found junior Calvin Britt on a 20-yard pass to the left corner of the end zone to tie the fray at 27-27 at the 5:18 mark of the period. For Britt, it was his team-leading fifth TD catch of the season and 17th of his career, moving him within two of the all-time school record held by former All-SAC receiver Jamichael Caldwell (19, 2004-07).

Catawba’s Brian Terrwilliger sparked his squad with his 45-yard kickoff return to the TC 43 to set up the Indians’ answer to Tusculum’s score. Dennis completed a 13-yard pass to Eric Morman to the TC 27 and the junior signal-caller connected with Grayson Downs on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 3:22 left in the frame as Catawba took the lead for good at 34-27.

Tusculum could not answer on its next possession as the Pioneers failed to convert on fourth-and four from the CAT 27 in the opening moments of the fourth quarter. After a Catawba punt, their first of the afternoon, Tusculum took over in good field position at its own 45. But on the second play of the drive, Cordell was intercepted by Cortez Best at the CAT 15 and returned the ball 25 yards to the CAT 40. Dennis completed a 28-yard pass to Levon Curtis and a 20-yard strike to Bunn just short of the end zone at the TC 1. Dennis finished off the drive with a one-yard run to push the Catawba Indians ahead 41-27 with just under seven minutes remaining.

Tusculum would move into Catawba territory, but would turn the ball over on downs at the CAT 40 with 4:44 left. Catawba would commit its first miscue of the half when Dennis was intercepted in the end zone by Allen Thomas.

But the TC rally would end as Cordell was intercepted by Jaspen Gray at the CAT 47 with 2:51 remaining in the contest.

Tusculum defensive back Derrick Belton recorded a career-high 14 tackles, including six solo hits and one behind the line of scrimmage. Javon Forsett finished with nine tackles and a fumble recovery, while Zachary Norman posted eight stops in the loss.

Catawba’s Cory Johnson and Lakeem Perry finished with 12 and 11 tackles, respectively, while Melquan Fair added eight stops, including three for loss and 2.5 sacks (-18 yards).

Tusculum returns to action next Saturday night as the Pioneers travel to Newberry College for a 7 p.m. contest at Setzler Field. Catawba returns home to host Wingate University at 1:30 p.m.