FOOTBALL SMASHES RECORDS IN MEMORABLE SEASON

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum College football team has wrapped up one of the most successful gridiron campaigns in school history.

The Pioneers (9-4) established 48 team and individual records this year while capturing the program's second South Atlantic Conference championship. Tusculum won four of its last five games, while earning the program's first-ever NCAA Division II Playoff berth. TC finished with a school record nine wins, matching the victory tally of the 2003 squad that also won a share of the SAC title.

Tusculum's "Showtime" offense produced some amazing numbers that future Pioneer teams will be aiming for in years to come. The Pioneers scored a school-record 452 points this season, thanks to 62 touchdowns, including a TC-best 37 passing scores. Tusculum also established school records in pass attempts (523), passing yards (4,179), total offensive plays (917), total offensive yards (5788), first downs (298), extra points (51) and extra point attempts (61).

The TC defense excelled with school records in fumbles recovered (19), fumbles forced (21) and punting average (42.7). Tusculum also established records for home wins (7), consecutive home wins (12), consecutive quarters scored (20) and games played in a season (13).

Leading the Tusculum offense was SAC Offensive Player of the Year Corey Russell. The senior quarterback from Speedwell, Tenn. has peppered his name throughout the Tusculum, SAC and NCAA II record books.

Russell, one of eight national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, set 15 Tusculum records this year, including a pair of NCAA II bests. He recorded 300 or more total offensive yards on 11 occasions this season, which were the best in DII history. He recorded 674 total offensive plays, which are a new NCAA II record. The All-SAC First Team signal caller established league single-season records in total offensive yards (4907) passing yards (4097) and touchdown passes (37). He also set TC season records for completions (301) and pass attempts (505).

Russell caps one of the most successful careers in Division II history. His 11,315 total offensive yards are the most ever by a Pioneer, second in SAC history and ninth in NCAA II history. He also set career marks in pass attempts (1382), completions (773), passing yards (9887), touchdown passes (82), touchdowns accounted for (103), interceptions (49) and total offensive attempts (1853).

Junior receiver Ryan Tallent established a pair of school records himself, both coming on the last offensive play of the season for Tusculum. Tallent, a native Maryville, Tenn., hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of Saturday's 27-19 road loss at No. 4 Delta State in the second round of the DII playoffs. That catch was his 92nd this year, tying the all-time single-season mark with former All-American wideout Kevin Wolcott. The two-time All-SAC First Team standout also tied a school season record with nine TD receptions this year, matching the mark set by junior teammate Nate Binder (Maidstone, Ontario, Canada) who also grabbed nine scoring tosses in his inaugural Pioneer campaign.

Sophomore receiver Calvin Britt (Augusta, Ga.) averaged 25.1 yards per reception, surpassing the previous school record he set in 2007.

The Minister of Defense for Tusculum has been two-time All-SAC linebacker Justin Scott (Jamestown, S.C.). Scott pushed his name into the record book in tackles for loss in a season (22) and a career (51). His seven career fumble recoveries are the most ever in Tusculum history. Also on defense, TJ Jones put his name in the r