Tuesday, November 14, 2006

GREGORY, PIONEERS LISTED IN NCAA FOOTBALL STATISTICS

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

The Pioneers (6-5, 3-4 in South Atlantic Conference) ended the regular season listed No. 2 in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 54.6 yards per game. Tusculum was also 17^th in the country in total defense (251.2 ypg) and 33^rd in scoring defense (16.4 ppg).

Rookie punter John Gregory (Ooltewah, Tenn.) is ranked 12^th in the nation in punting, averaging 40.9 yards per kick, which is tops in the league and third-best in the NCAA Southeast Region. For his efforts, Gregory was named to the All-SAC First Team. He has also been named the League's Special Teams Player of the Week three times this year and was tabbed National Special Teams Player of the Week by D2football.com and the Football Gazette.

Gregory and the Pioneers also boasted the fifth-best team net punting unit in the land (35.83).

The Pioneers recorded a three-win improvement from 2005 and posted its sixth winning season in the last seven years.

- NCAA -