Stillman 30, Concordia 14

August 25, 2007

TUSCALOOSA—Senior quarterback Charles McCullum was poised to make a statement in Stillman’s first game of the season against Concordia on Saturday. His 298 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-27 passing spoke loud and clear as his Tigers defeated the Hornets 30-14 at Tiger Stadium.

“It feels good to get a win especially when it’s the first game of the season,” Stillman head coach Greg Thompson said. “This certainly wasn’t an easy game for us because I think Concordia is going to beat some people this year. But it is a very rewarding win for us considering how difficult it was for us to prepare for this after a grueling summer under difficult conditions.”

McCullum, who inched closer to becoming Stillman’s all-time passing leader, was sharp for the Tigers from the early going. After Stillman fell quickly behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Atlanta native connected with Kenneth Brown from 20-yards out to cap a 12-play, 80-yard drive, seemly reclaiming the game’s early momentum. On the ensuing possessing, sophomore safety Dre’Mail Hardin got the first of his two interceptions as he picked-off an errant Ken Johnson pass to put the Tigers back in business.

“The secondary is definitely the strong point of our defense,” Stillman head coach Greg Thompson said. “But after we gave up that first touchdown, the offense allowed us to settle the defense down and prove how good of a secondary unit we have.”

McCullum, aided by a host of running backs, completed a career high 20 passes to eight different receivers, four of which coming out of the backfield. But freshman running back Chester Hightower perhaps had the biggest impact from the position by committee, finishing with four catches for 68 yards and one touchdown—while rushing for another 19 yards on six carries.

“We used so many backs tonight because we’re still in search for that running back with consistency to match what we like to do on offense,” Thompson said. “But Hightower did really well for us, and I also like what [Brandon] Long gave us tonight.”

McCullum’s other touchdown hook-ups came in the second and third quarters as the preseason All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection sat-out the fourth as the game was all but decided heading into the final period.

“Charles has a good grasp of our offense and we know he can make plays whenever he needs to,” Thompson said. “He certainly proved his worth tonight, there’s no doubt about that.”

Stillman will travel to Valdosta, Georgia on September 3, to take on Edward Waters College in the Harvey Moore Labor Day Classic at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The Tigers will return home to face Shorter College on Saturday, September 8 at 5:00 p.m.