INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum University football team is listed in 13 categories in this week's NCAA Division II national statistics. Eight Pioneers are ranked individually according to this week's report.

Tusculum (1-1, 0-1 SAC) leads the South Atlantic Conference in team rushing average 348.5 yards per game, which is listed fourth-best in the country. TU is tops in the league in defensive touchdowns (1 – 4^th in NCAA II) and in time of possession (35:28 – 13^th in NCAA II).

The Pioneers are also ranked seventh in punt return defense (-0.67 ypr – 2^nd in SAC), ninth in passing yards per completion (18.25 – 2^nd in SAC), 16^th in tackles for loss allowed (3.50 – 2^nd in SAC), 22^nd in red zone defense (50% - 1^st in SAC), 32^nd in total offense (421.5 ypg – 3^rd in SAC), 32^nd in 3^rd Down Defense (27.3% - 2^nd in SAC), 37^th in first down offense (41 – 2^nd in SAC), 40^th in kickoff returns (26.25 ypr – 5^th in SAC), 45^th in rushing defense (102.0 ypg – 4^th in SAC) and 49^th in sacks (2.00 spg – 4^th in SAC).

Sophomore running back Lex Dinwiddie (Fletcher, N.C.) is sixth in the country in rushing yards per carry (9.58 ypc – 1^st in SAC) and 14^th in the nation in rushing yards per game (115.0 ypg – 3^rd in SAC).

Junior running back John Celestin (Orlando, Fla.) is 29th in Division II in rush yards per carry (6.90 ypc - 4th in SAC) while junior quarterback Buddy Taylor (New Orleans, La.) is 49th total rushing yards (140 - 6th in SAC) and 49th in total touchdowns (2 - 3rd in SAC).

Junior Otasowie Dion (Montgomery, Ala.) is listed 38^th in NCAA II in kickoff return average (23.7 ypr – 4^th in SAC) while sophomore Jaden Outar (Miami, Fla.) is 43^rd in punt return average (9.58 ypr – 4^th in SAC).

Defensively, sophomore DJ Dailey (Ocala, Fla.) continues to lead the conference with his 1.00 interceptions per game average which is third nationally.

Sophomore Malachi Jim-Lawson (London, England) is 21^st in the country averaging 1.00 sacks per game (2^nd in SAC) and junior Dylan Horne (Ocoee, Fla.) is averaging 1.75 tackles for loss per game, which is 50^th in the nation (8^th in SAC).

Tusculum returns to action this Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Anderson University for a 2 p.m. kickoff from Younts Stadium.