Wednesday, October 17, 2007

PIONEERS LISTED IN NCAA FOOTBALL STATISTICS

INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum College football team is listed in 10 categories in this week's NCAA Division II statistics announced College officials.

The Pioneers (4-3, 2-0 in South Atlantic Conference) are sixth in the nation with 11 recovered fumbles and 13^th in turnovers gained (21). TC's 10 passes intercepted are the 30^th most in the country. The Tusculum defense is sacking the opposing quarterback 3.43 times per game, which is 10^th-best in the land. The Pioneers are also 21^st in total defense (279.0 ypg) and 21^st in pass efficiency defense (96.1 rating).

On the offensive side, Tusculum is 24^th in total offense averaging 434.4 yards per game, including 618 yards in last Saturday's 30-7 road win at Brevard College. TC is also 12^th in passing offense (288.3 ypg) and 33^rd in team kickoff returns (22.71 ypr).

Individually, five Tusculum players are mentioned in this week's statistics, including junior quarterback Corey Russell (Speedwell, Tenn.) who is listed three times. Russell is 15^th in the country in total offense (287.0 ypg), 15^th in total passing yards (1826) and 17^th in passing yards per game (260.9 ypg).

Sophomore wide receiver Ryan Tallent (Maryville, Tenn.) is 18^th in the nation in receptions per game (6.14 rpg), 48^th in receiving yards per game (73.6 ypg) and 42^nd in total receiving yards (515).

Sophomore punter John Gregory (Ooltewah, Tenn.) is averaging 41.1 yards per punt, which is 14^th in the Division II. Junior Jeremy Thompson (Rome, Ga.) is 46^th in interceptions (0.4 ipg), while Justin Scott (Jamestown, S.C.) is 49^th in tackles for loss per game (1.4 tpg).

Tusculum will put its four-game winning streak on the line this Saturday when they host seventh-ranked Catawba College (7-0, 3-0 SAC). Tusculum and Catawba are the only remaining teams without a conference loss in the SAC.

- NCAA -