Tuesday, October 2, 2007

 

TUSCULUM LISTED IN NCAA FOOTBALL STATISTICS

 

                INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum College football team continues to be listed in this week's NCAA Division II statistics announced College officials.

 

                The Pioneers (2-3, 1-0 in South Atlantic Conference) are listed in 10 team categories and seven individual statistics.

 

                The TC defense is fourth in the nation in turnovers gained (17) and fifth in fumbles recovered (9).  The Pioneers are also 14th in passes intercepted (14), ninth in team sacks per game (3.8), 49th in rushing defense (123.0 ypg), 50th in total defense (308.2 ypg) and 50th in pass efficiency defense (108.3 rating).

 

                On the offensive side of the ball, Tusculum is 40th in the country in scoring offense averaging 32.2 points per game, including 50 ppg in their last two outings.  The Pioneers are also 21st in passing offense, posting 268 yards per contest.

 

                Junior quarterback Corey Russell (Speedwell, Tenn.) is listed in three individual categories including 21st in total offense (267.2 ypg), 26th in passing yards (1193) and 31st in passing yards per game (238.6 ypg).  Russell established a new school record with his 438 passing yards in Tusculum's 31-28 win over 18th-ranked Wingate University.  Russell's passing tally is the fourth most by a NCAA II quarterback this season and the eighth most ever by a South Atlantic Conference signal caller.  He was named SAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

 

                Sophomore receiver Ryan Tallent (Maryville, Tenn.) leads the SAC in receptions per game, averaging 6.4 catches per contest, which is 15th in the country.  Junior Brandon Dixon (Brunswick, Ga.) is 42nd in kickoff return average (25.8), while sophomore John Gregory (Ooltewah, Tenn.) is 29th in punting average (39.7).

 

                Junior Jeremy Thompson is 20th in the nation in interceptions per game, averaging 0.6 picks per contest.  Thompson (Rome, Ga.) recorded two interceptions last Saturday against Wingate, including one in the end zone to stop a Bulldog drive in the fourth quarter.  Thompson was named SAC Defensive Player of the Week.

 

                Tusculum will host Lenoir-Rhyne College (2-3, 0-0 SAC) this Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Pioneers' Homecoming game.

 

- NCAA -