INDIANAPOLIS --- Tusculum College punter John Gregory is third in the nation in punting average according to this week's NCAA Division II football statistics, announced officials Monday. The Pioneers (3-6, 2-4 in South Atlantic Conference) are listed in five team categories, while six TC players are listed individually.

Gregory, a senior from Ooltewah, Tenn., is averaging 41.8 yards per punt, which is best in the conference and third in the land. Gregory and the Pioneers are also sixth in the country in net punting average (36.10 avg.).

Freshman quarterback Bo Cordell is listed in six statistical categories. The Cincinnati, Ohio native is second in completions per game (26.67 cpg), fourth in passing yards per game (326 ypg), seventh in total passing yards (2,934 yds), seventh in total offensive yards per game (319 ypg), 21st in points responsible for per game (15.56 ppg) and 43rd in passing efficiency (135.5 rating). Cordell is also the top-rated freshman signal caller in NCAA II in the preceding statistics.

Junior running back Marcus Foster (Siloam, Ga.) is tied for 40th in receptions per game (5.56 rpg) and 30th in all-purpose yards per contest (137.56 ypg).

Senior receiver Ryan Tallent is 47th in the country in receptions per game, averaging 5.44 catches per contest. The Maryville, Tenn. product became Tusculum's all-time leader in receptions this past Saturday when he recorded his 201st career catch. He currently has 204 receptions to his credit.

Junior kicker Gareth Rowlands (Wales, Great Britain) is 16th in the nation in field goals per game, averaging 1.33 per game. He has made 12 of his 14 field goal attempts this season and is a perfect 8-of-8 from 40 yards or more this year, including a school-record 52-yarder earlier this season.

Senior defensive back Javon Forsett (Cedar Hill, Texas) is tied for 15th in the land in fumbles recovered per game (0.33).

The Pioneers still boast one of the top passing attacks in the country, averaging 340.44 yards per game. Tusculum is also 39th in punt return average (11.86 ypg), 43rd in passing efficiency (136.99 rating), and tied for 12th in fourth down conversion percentage (62.5%).

Tusculum will close out the season this Saturday as the Pioneers take on 14th-ranked Carson-Newman College (8-2, 6-0 SAC) at Burke-Tarr Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

- NCAA -