Carrollton, GA - The UWG Wolves built a 28-6 first half lead on the Tusculum Pioneers on Ra-Lin Field at University Stadium Saturday afternoon, then held off a hard-charging Bo Cordell and the high-powered TC offense in the second half to move to 2-0 on the 2012 season with a 38-29 victory.



The Wolves' offense went for 457 yards total, but Cordell slung the ball around 66 times and picked up more than 500 yards passing on the day. But it wasn't enough, as the UWG defense intercepted the former Harlon Hill finalist five times and added a fumble recovery to lead the path to victory.



In the first half, the Wolves were on fire on both sides of the ball, as West Georgia opened up a 14-0 lead in just over the first 15 minutes of action.



But West Georgia wouldn't get going strong until the 5:23 mark of the opening quarter. That's when #Davis Brackett# pinned Tusculum deep at their own 10, then two plays later, #Nathan Teter# intercepted Cordell at the 14, giving the UWG offensive attack a short field to work with.



It didn't take long, as a pair of seven-yard runs from senior tailback #David Bailey# put up the first score of the game for the Wolves. Brackett's PAT was good and West Georgia led 7-0.



After forcing another punt, UWG and junior quarterback #Austin Trainor# mounted another scoring drive, this one starting at their own 23. Trainor had two big passes in the drive, one for 23 yards to #Bobby Burum# and the other a 32-yard scoring strike to sophomore #Alex Macauley# and West Georgia led 14-0 with just six seconds gone in the second quarter.



But Cordell didn't get his reputation by accident. The Tusculum quarterback led his team right back down the field, marching 63 yards in five plays and 58 seconds, scoring on a 19-yard pass for the first Pioneer score of the game. The PAT was no good and UWG's lead was cut to 14-6.



On the ensuing drive, Trainor's helmet was knocked off, forcing him to leave the game. Freshman #Dallas Dickey# stepped in three plays into the drive and led a masterful march, hitting redshirt freshman receiver #Joey Eliezer# for 49 yards for the Wolves' third score of the game and a 21-6 lead.



Cordell mounted yet another march that looked promising, that is until #Teddy Lawrence# stepped in on 4th-and-1 from inside the UWG 20. The sophomore linebacker stopped the Tusculum rushing attempt cold at the line of scrimmage, giving the ball back to Trainor and the offense.



After another UWG interception in Tusculum territory, this time by #Donovan Jackson#, the Wolves moved 21 yards in four plays and Trainor found his way in for a two-yard rushing score to give the Wolves a 28-6 lead with just over two minutes left in the first half.



The Pioneers scored again before halftime, making the score 28-13 at the break.



In the second half, Tusculum pulled to within three points at 31-28 with just under 10 minutes left in the game, but another Trainor run put the game out of reach with just under eight minutes left to play. #Brandon McEachern# and #Bobby Liggins# each intercepted Cordell late in the game to preserve the win and move the Wolves to 2-0 for the first time in 10 years.



Bailey led the way on the ground, rushing 15 times for 82 yards and a touchdown, followed closely by #Seth Hinsley#, who had 19 carries for 80 yards. Trainor had 10 rushes for 48 yards and a pair of scores. As a team, the Wolves rushed for 213 total yards.



Through the air, Trainor was 16-of-24 with a touchdown and two interceptions and 187 yards. Dickey was 3-for-3 with a score and 57 yards. Cordell was 41-of-66 for 504 yards and three scores with five interceptions. The UWG defense allowed just 74 total yards on the ground.



Liggins, a junior linebacker, led the Wolves with 11 tackles, one interception and one pass breakup. #Darien Lane# was second on the team in tackles with eight.



During halftime, the UWG Athletic Department marked the 30th anniversary of West Georgia's Division III National Championship. To honor the occasion, West Georgia's helmets bore the WG logo of that iconic 1982 squad.