Bucs' Price, Ross on record-setting pace

Maurice Price

As a team, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers are having a season to remember after improving to 7-0 with a 27-22 win over VMI on Saturday. The victory was the 12th consecutive win, dating back to last season, and tied the school record for wins in a season.

Individually, several CSU players continue to be on a record-setting pace as well:

--Junior receiver Maurice Price has already become the career reception and yardage leader in the Big South Conference with 168 career receptions for 2,157 yards. His 166-yard performance last week was the 10th of his career, also a league record.

Price has 69 receptions in seven games, needing only 11 more receptions to set the Big South single-season record. Price currently leads the nation in receptions per game and ranks seventh nationally in receiving yards per game.

--Junior linebacker Jada Ross tallied 20 tackles in last week's win and improved to fourth nationally with 11.8 tackles per game. Ross now has 279 career tackles, needing only 14 tackles to become CSU's career leader. The Big South record for career tackles is 308.

With all of next season to play, Ross stands a good chance of reaching the 400-tackle plateau before the end of his career.

--CSU quarterback Collin Drafts threw four interceptions in last week's win but still ranks ninth nationally in passing efficiency and sixth in total offense. Drafts has tossed 16 touchdown passes this season and is nearing his third consecutive 2,000-yard season.

--As a unit, CSU's offense ranks sixth nationally in passing efficiency and 12th in passing. The Bucs average 30.14 points per game, which rates 18th nationally.

--Despite allowing 449 yards in last week's win over VMI, the CSU defense is having a solid season overall. CSU rates 24th nationally against the run and 44th against the pass. CSU ranks 50th overall in total defense and 21st in scoring defense.

--Junior end Dennis Justiniani leads the Big South in sacks and tackles for loss, ranking 21st nationally in sacks and 27th in tackles for loss.

--Junior safety and return specialist C.J. Hirschman had a 38-yard punt return against VMI. He now ranks 15th nationally in punt returns.