INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum University football team is ranked in the top-10 in 13 team categories while six Pioneers are listed in the top-20 individually with the first release of the 2025 NCAA Division II national statistics.

Tusculum (1-0) opened the season last Saturday with a convincing 49-23 road victory at Bluefield State University.

The Pioneers rushed for 468 yards against the Big Blues which were the most by any DII team on the opening weekend. TU is second in the nation in total offense after racking up 562 yards and are also second in the country in team passing efficiency (245.66) and completion percentage (.857).

Tusculum is listed in the top-10 in scoring offense (49.0 ppg – 1^st in SAC / 5^th in NCAA II), interceptions (2 – 1^st in SAC / 6^th in NCAA II), third-down conversion percentage (.667 – 2^nd in SAC / 7^th in NCAA II), third-down conversion percentage defense (.111 – 1^st in SAC / 7^th in NCAA II), first down offense (27 – 1^st in SAC / 7^th in NCAA II), time of possession (38:05 – 1^st in SAC / 7^th in NCAA II) and punt return defense (0.00 – 1^st in SAC / 9^th in NCAA II).

Junior quarterback Buddy Taylor (New Orleans, La.) is listed twice in the rankings including ninth in scoring (12.0 ppg / 1^st in SAC) and 19th in points responsible for per game (18.0 ppg). Taylor rushed for two scores and passed for another while rushing for 105 yards in his TU debut.

Sophomore defensive lineman Malachi Jim-Lawson (London, England) was one of 13 players to record two sacks on the weekend which is tied for tops in NCAA II.

Sophomore defensive back DJ Dailey (Ocala, Fla.) recorded a pair of interceptions at Bluefield State and was one of three DII players to have a multiple-pick outing this weekend. His two passes defended are the most in the league and 13^th-best nationally.

Sophomore running back Lex Dinwiddie (Fletcher, N.C.) ran for a career-best 145 yards on Saturday which has him second in the league and sixth in the nation.

Junior John Celestin (Orlando, Fla.) ran for 121 yards which has him fourth in the SAC and 12^th in the country.

Sophomore Jaden Outar (Miami, Fla.) average 8.0 yards on his punt returns which has him listed 19^th in the Division.

Tusculum will open conference play this Saturday when the Pioneers host nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University for a 6 p.m. contest at Pioneer Field.