INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum University football team finished the 2022 season nationally ranked in 19 team categories, while five Pioneers ended the year listed nationally 13 times with the release of the final NCAA Division II statistics for the year.

Tusculum posted an impressive 8-3 overall record (.727 won-loss pct. – 31^st in NCAA II) and finished runner-up in the South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division. The eight victories are tied for the third-most wins in a Tusculum single-season.

The Pioneers were the SAC statistical team champions in four categories. TU's four defensive touchdowns tied program single-season record and were the eighth-most in the country.

Tusculum's 19 interceptions are the second-most in school history and were ranked third in the division. TU's 93.02 team passing efficiency defense was tops in the league and fourth nationally. The Pioneers forced 25 turnovers (T10th in TU history) which were the 16^th most in the nation in 2022.

Tusculum also finished 15^th in pass defense (159.6 ypg – 3^rd in SAC), 18^th in total defense (282.4 ypg – 3^rd in SAC), 21^st in first down defense (171 – 2^nd in SAC), 23^rd in scoring defense (17.9 ppg – 2^nd in SAC), 26^th in team tackles for loss per game (7.7 tpg – 2^nd in SAC), 35^th in third down conversion defense (.328 – 3^rd in SAC) and 47^th in turnover margin (+4).

Offensively, the Pioneers finished 39^th in passing offense (235.2 ypg – 2^nd in SAC), 43^rd in passing yards per completion (13.40 ypc – 5^th in SAC), 48^th in total offense (395.6 ypg – 2^nd in SAC) and 50^th in scoring offense (30.5 ypg – 4^th in SAC). TU's special teams also shined in 2022 as the Pioneers were 16^th nationally in net punting (37.93 ypg – 4^th in SAC), 24^th in kickoff returns (22.7 ypr – 3^rd in SAC) and 35^th in punt return defense (5.19 ypr – 4^th in SAC).

Individually, quarterback Tre Simmons finished the season ranked nationally in eight categories including: completions per game (16.09 cpg – 45^th), passing TDs (21 – 28^th), passing yards (2,384 – 33^rd), pass offense (216.7 ypg – 31^st), passing yards per completion (13.47 ypc – 32^nd), points responsible for (144 – 42^nd), points responsible for per game (13.1 ppg – 42^nd) and total offense (242.6 ypg – 31^st).

Freshman Eddie Watson finished seventh in punt return TDs (1 – 1^st in SAC) and 21^st in punt return average (9.5 ypr – 3^rd in SAC).  Marquel Pittman was sixth in kickoff return TDs (1 – 2^nd in SAC) while punter Andrew Cantrell was 24^th nationally in punt average at 40.8 (4^th in SAC).

Linebacker Wesley Scott averaged 8.7 tackles per game, which was the third best average in the conference and 41^st in the country.