INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum College football team is third in the nation in turnovers gained according to this week's NCAA Division II statistics announced College officials Monday.

The Pioneers (3-3, 2-0 in South Atlantic Conference) have forced 21 turnovers thru six games this season, including 11 fumble recoveries (5th in NCAA II) and 10 interceptions (16th in NCAA II). The Tusculum defense is also sixth in the country in sacks averaging 3.83 per contest.

Tusculum is 15th in the nation in passing offense averaging 278.3 yards per game, which is also tops in the SAC. The Pioneers are riding a three-game winning streak and are averaging 348 passing yards per game during that stretch.

Tusculum is also 40th in team kickoff returns (22.48 ypr), 41st in total defense (293.3 ypg), 42nd in total offense (403.8 ypg), 44th in scoring offense (32.0 ppg) and 46th in rushing defense (122.7 ypg).

Five Pioneers are mentioned individually in 10 statistical categories, including sophomore receiver Ryan Tallent (Maryville, Tenn.). Tallent is 17th in the nation with 6.3 receptions per game and 45th in receiving yardage (77.7 ypg). He is also 50th in all-purpose yards per game (135.8 ypg) and 37th in total receiving yards (466).

Junior quarterback Corey Russell (Speedwell, Tenn.) is listed three times, including 17th in total offense (278.2 ypg), 18th in total passing yards (1523) and 21st in passing yards per game (253.8 ypg).

Sophomore punter John Gregory (Ooltewah, Tenn.) is 14th in the country in punting average. The two-time SAC Special Teams Player of the Week is averaging 41 yards per boot, including a career-long 76-yarder last week against Lenoir-Rhyne, the third longest kick in school history.

Junior Jeremy Thompson (Rome, Ga.) is 28th in the country in interceptions per game, averaging 0.5 picks per contest. Thompson was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week for a second straight time this season.

Junior linebacker Justin Scott (Jamestown, S.C.) is 45th in tackles for loss per game, posting 1.4 per outing.

Tusculum returns to action this Saturday night when the Pioneers travel to Brevard College for a 7 p.m. contest.