INDIANAPOLIS --- Tusculum College's Bo Cordell and Gareth Rowlands lead the nation in passing and kicking according to this week's NCAA Division II Football Statistics.

Cordell is averaging 425.8 passing yards per game, which is the best for all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, II, III). The 2010 Harlon Hill Trophy candidate is listed in six statistical categories, while leading DII in five of those statistics.

Rowlands is the nation's top kicker, averaging 1.9 field goals per contest, connecting on a school single-season record 19 field goals this year, including four in last week's 54-44 win at Catawba. The Benllech, Wales senior is also ninth in scoring, averaging 9.9 points per game, which is also tops in the South Atlantic Conference.

Cordell, a sophomore quarterback from Cincinnati, Ohio, leads the nation in total offense, averaging 426.8 yards per contest, passing yards (4,258) completions per game (35.9 cpg) and points responsible for per game (25.6 ppg). The Indian Hill High School graduate has established school and league single-season records with his 4,258 passing yards, which are also the seventh most in NCAA II history. He is also 29th in passing efficiency (146.6) and hasn't thrown an interception in his last three games (164 consecutive pass attempts).

The Pioneers (6-4, 2-4 SAC) boast the top passing offense in the country, averaging 427.4 yards per game. TC is also fifth in total offense (489.5 ypg), 10th in scoring offense (39.1 ppg), 28th in passing efficiency (146.2), sixth in first down offense (24.8 avg), 27th in third down percentage offense (44.3%) and sixth in red zone offense percentage (90%).

Defensively, Tusculum is 28th in the county in sacks per game (2.6 spg), 48th in tackles for loss per game (7.1 tpg), 40th in third-down percentage defense (33.33%) and 27th in fumble recoveries (12).

Three Pioneers are ranked in the top 50 in receptions per game, including Deonte' Gist (9.00 rpg-3rd), Rashaad Carter (7.1 rpg-17th) and Columbia, S.C. junior Michael Rodriguez (7.0 rpg-19th). Gist (Wellford, S.C.) is also 13th in receiving yards per game (111 ypg) and 10th in total receiving yards (1150). Carter (Stone Mountain, Ga.) is 33rd in receiving yards per game (89.7 ypg) and 26th in total receiving yards (897), while senior Calvin Britt (Augusta, Ga.) is 42nd in receiving yards per game (82.9 ypg) and 38th in total receiving yards (829).

Junior defensive end Jason Muehling (Calhoun, Ga.) is 19th in the land averaging 0.30 recoveries per game.

Tusculum will close out its season this Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers host Carson-Newman (6-4, 4-2 SAC) for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff from the Niswonger Sports Complex / Pioneer Field.

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