Click here to read/download TTU vs. EKU game notes
(PDF)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- With their backs to the wall, the Tennessee
Tech football team heads to Richmond, Ky., to take on the
league-leading Eastern Kentucky Colonels Saturday at noon CT. The
Golden Eagles (5-3/4-2 OVC) must claim a win at EKU to maintain any
hope of winning the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference championship.
"There are two teams remaining who have their destiny in their own
hands, Tennessee Tech and Eastern Kentucky," said fifth-year Golden
Eagle coach Watson Brown. Wins by the Golden Eagles Saturday at EKU
and the following week in the regular season finale against Austin
Peay would give Tech the tie-breaker and an automatic visit to the
Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
It's an uphill battle for the Golden Eagles, who have seen the
Colonels win four years in a row. Eastern Kentucky owns a
commanding 50-17 advantage in the all-time series between the
two.
To make matters even more difficult, injuries have forced the
Golden Eagles to make adjustments to their lineup. Among the
changes, starters Will Johnson (rover) and Demetrous Garrett
(receiver) are doubtful.
Still, Tech heads into the game with plenty of weapons in all three
phases of the game.
On offense, quarterback Tre Lamb is among league leaders in passing
and total offense, while Tim Benford tops the conference in both
receptions and receiving yards. In the backfield, Tech can employ a
one-two combination of Dontey Gay and Adam Urbano. Gay tops the OVC
in scoring and ranks among leaders in rushing, while Urbano --
finally healthy after missing six games -- rushed for 119 yards
last week on only nine carries.
On defense, senior Jamere Hogue has developed into one of the
team's most effective linemen in the past few weeks. Junior Howard
Griffin paces a linebacking crew that also includes veterans Jake
McIntosh and Justin Vann. In the secondary, Richmond Tooley, Caleb
Mitchell and Corey Watson have been effective.
Special teams are led by punter Nick Campbell and placekicker Zack
Sharp, and the coverage teams that have done an outstanding job of
limiting opponents on punt and kickoff returns.
The game can be heard live on the Golden Eagle Sports Network, with
Roger Ealey, Buddy Pearson and Brandon Goodwin making the
calls.
Records in 2011:
Tennessee Tech is 5-3 overall / 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference
Eastern Kentucky 6-3 overall / 5-1 Ohio Valley
Conference
Last Week: Tech lost to Murray State,
38-37; EKU beat Jax State, 52-48
Last Year: Eastern Kentucky won,
42-29
Series Record: EKU leads, 50-17
National Rankings: Tennessee Tech is 25th
(Coach’s); Eastern Kentucky is 25th (TSN)
Tech Radio:
Golden Eagle Sports Network (Roger Ealey,
Buddy Pearson, Brandon Goodwin)
also Teamline Direct (Dial 216-502-3200 / enter team code
0654) - $5 per game
Internet: www.Magic985.com for
audio stream
Live Stats: www.ekusports.com
Web sites:
Tennessee Tech - www.TTUsports.com
Eastern Kentucky - www.ekusports.com
Social Media: TTU Sports (Facebook);
@TTUGoldenEagles (Twitter)