Tusculum listed in NCAA Football statistics

INDIANAPOLIS --- For a fifth straight week, Tusculum College quarterback Bo Cordell leads the nation in passing according to the NCAA Division II football statistics.  Cordell is ranked in six offensive categories, while the Pioneers are mentioned in 10 team statistics.

Cordell is averaging 416.44 passing yards per game, which is also the best in all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, II, III). 

The Cincinnati, Ohio sophomore also leads the nation in total offense, averaging 414 yards per contest, completions per game (36.33 cpg) and points responsible for per game (25.11 ppg).  The 2010 Harlon Hill Trophy candidate is also second in the country in total passing yards (3,748) and 36th in pass efficiency (142.35).

The Pioneers (5-4, 1-4 in South Atlantic Conference) boast the top passing offense in the country, averaging 418.22 yards per game.  TC is also eighth in total offense (473 ypg), 12th in scoring offense (37.44 ppg), 36th in passing efficiency (141.97), seven in first down offense (24.56 avg), 16th in third down percentage offense (45.58%) and seventh in red zone offense percentage (90%).

Defensively, Tusculum is 28th in the county in sacks per game (2.67 spg), 35th in third-down percentage defense (32.35%) and 18th in fumble recoveries (18).

Senior kicker Gareth Rowlands (Benllech, Wales) is fifth in field goals made per game (1.67 avg) and 18th in scoring (9.00 points per game). 

Three Pioneers are ranked in the top 50 in receptions per game, including Deonte’ Gist (9.00 rpg-3rd), Rashaad Carter (7.22 rpg-18th) and Columbia, S.C. junior Michael Rodriguez (7.11 rpg-19th).  Gist (Wellford, S.C.) is also 20th in receiving yards per game (105.56 ypg) and 15th in total receiving yards (950).  Carter (Stone Mountain, Ga.) is 33rd in receiving yards per game (91.11 ypg) and 26th in total receiving yards (820), while senior Calvin Britt (Augusta, Ga.) is 44th in receiving yards per game (80.78 ypg) and 41st in total receiving yards (727).

Juniors Jason Muehling (Calhoun, Ga.) and Justin Arrington (Union City, Ga.) are listed amongst the nation’s leaders in fumble recoveries.  Muehling is averaging .33 recoveries per game (T15th in NCAA II), while Arrington is tied for 41st in fumbles recovered (.25).

Tusculum will be on the road this Saturday as the Pioneers take on SAC co-leader Catawba College (No. 3 in NCAA II Super Region 2) for a 1:30 p.m. contest in Salisbury, N.C.