By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech junior Dontez Byrd made quite a statement as he returned the opening kickoff against Mercer 100 yards for a touchdown during the Golden Eagles' 34-27 loss on Saturday against the Bears.
Byrd, a transfer from Louisville, was awarded for his efforts on Saturday as he was voted the Ohio Valley Conference's specialist of the week, voted on by the league's sports information contacts.
The play ties for the longest in Tech school history, and it is the 13th 100-yard kickoff return in OVC history -- the first since 2014 -- and Byrd is the only Football Championship Subdivision player to accomplish the feat so far this season.
Byrd ranks first in the OVC in all-purpose yards and 29th in the country with a 129.33 yards per game average after recording 227 in Saturday's game against Mercer.
He also ranks second nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 38.5 yards per return. Against Mercer, Byrd had four returns for 183 yards.
