Placekicker Zach Sharp selected as OVC Specialist of the Week

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Freshman Zach Sharp had one of the best games in school history by any Tennessee Tech placekicker on Saturday night, and Sunday he was selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.

Sharp, a true freshman from Maryville, Tenn., kicked four field goals and was perfect on his four PAT kicks, accounting for 16 points. He was a crucial part of Tech's 20-point fourth quarter comeback that nearly pulled out a victory after the Golden Eagles found themselves down 42-20 midway in the third period.

The 16 points was the second-best game by a Tech kicker in school history, trailing only the 22-point effort by TTU Hall of Famer Ryan Weeks during the 1989 season. His four field goals was also tied for second-most in a game, behind the record seven field goals by Weeks in that historic night against UT Chattanooga.

Sharp's first field goal was a 34-yard boot midway in the second quarter to pull Tech to within four points, 21-17. He split the uprights for the second time with just two seconds left in the first half, a career-best 49-yard kick that made it 28-20 at the break.

Down by 22 points, the Golden Eagles called on Sharp for a 31-yard field goal with 3:14 left in the third quarter, a successful boot that kick-started the Tech comeback. He also had a 26-yard field goal with 2:26 to play that made it 42-33.

For the evening, Sharp was 4-for-5 on field goal tries, missing only a 42-yard try with an effort that was about a yard short.

The Golden Eagles are idle this weekend, then return to action on Saturday, Oct. 29, with a game at Jacksonville State. Tech's next home contest is Nov. 5 when Murray State visits for Homecoming.