Posted: Oct 20, 2016
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE – It's Homecoming on the Tennessee Tech campus, and the Golden Eagles are looking to make it a happy one on the gridiron as the football team entertains Southeast Missouri on Saturday.
Kickoff at Tucker Stadium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Tech (2-5, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference) has a 45-39-1 record in Homecoming games, including a 2-0 record against the Redhawks, beating them 27-26 in 2014 and 31-6 in 2000. The Golden Eagles have won their last two Homecoming games.
It won't be easy, however, as both teams are putting up similar stats. Tech is averaging 355.3 yards per game to SEMO's 357. The Redhawks are rushing for 127.7 yards a game, while the Golden Eagles are averaging 99.1 yards. Through the air, Tech has a slight advantage, throwing for 256.1 yards per game to SEMO's 229.3.
In scoring, Tech is averaging almost a touchdown more a game as the Golden Eagles are scoring 25.1 points per game to SEMO's 19.5.
The Redhawks opened their season with consecutive losses to Memphis, Southern Illinois and Indiana State, then started their OVC slate off on a high note with a 17-16 win over Murray State and a 21-14 win over Eastern Illinois.
However, SEMO is coming off of a 31-16 loss two weeks ago to Eastern Kentucky and will have had a bye week to prepare for the Golden Eagles.
Tech, meanwhile, has lost its last two games – a 40-21 loss at Jacksonville State and a 30-24 loss to Eastern Illinois.
Quarterback Jesse Hosket has thrown for 1,367 yards, completing 107 of his 203 passes as he has connected for eight touchdowns. He has just one interception on the season.
Adrian Davis has been the biggest beneficiary, catching three touchdown passes among his 20 receptions for 20 yards.
Tremaine McCullough, who ran for 138 yards and a touchdown as well as caught two passes for 14 yards against the Golden Eagles last year in Tech's 38-17 loss at Cape Girardeau, has rushed for 175 yards on 37 carries, but has been the Redhawks' top receiver with 36 catches for 356 yards and a touchdown.
Will Young leads SEMO with 396 yards and two touchdowns on 86 carries.
Defensively, Roper Garrett leads the Redhawks with 52 tackles, including five for-loss for 14 yards. He also has 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, two pass break-ups, two quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery.
For the Golden Eagles, Michael Birdsong has thrown for a league-high 1,797 yards and 11 touchdowns on 153-for-241 passing.
Dontez Byrd is Tech's leading receiver with 34 catches for 405 yards and three touchdowns.
Yeedee Thaenrat leads the Golden Eagles on the ground with 101 carries for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Birdsong has also rushed for three scores, while Andrew Goldsmith has two.
Defensively, the linebacker tandem of Josh Poplar and Elliott Normand continues to lead the Golden Eagles. Poplar has recorded 68 tackles, while Normand has 62.
Roger Ealey and Dylan Vazzano will provide broadcast duties on the Golden Eagle Sports Network and 98.5 KISS FM, while television and streaming coverage will be provided by WCTE and the OVC Digital Network.
Tickets are available for the game by visiting the ticket office in the Hooper Eblen Center, calling (931) 372-3940 or by visiting www.ttusports.com.
