By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – While it was a tough night on Saturday for the Tennessee Tech football team in a 70-38 defeat at the hands of Southeast Missouri, the freshmen Golden Eagles made a night of it.
Freshman David Gist, a local product out of Cookeville High, ran for two touchdowns and 108 yards on five carries, averaging 21.6 yards per carry. It was the first individual 100-rushing-yard game for the Golden Eagles since Andrew Goldsmith ran for 101 yards against Tennessee State last season. Gist was named the First Tennessee Bank-Special Olympics Player of the Game.
Cam Singletary, out of Colquitt County, Ga., caught three passes for a team-high 67 yards and a touchdown, while Bailey Fisher completed 14 of his 28 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, including an 85-yard touchdown strike to Darrius Stafford – tied for the third longest pass completion in program history.
The game also saw Nick Madonia tie a school record as he made his 59th consecutive point-after kick, tying Zach Sharp's streak from 2011 to 2014.
Northern Illinois transfer Daniel Santacaterina threw for four touchdowns and completed 20-of-27 passes and 395 yards, with two 100-plus yard receivers in Jerrick Orr (four catches for 121 yards and a touchdown) and Colby Cornett (three catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns).
SEMO (3-2, 2-1 OVC) also had three rushing touchdowns as Zion Custis ran for two and 66 yards on 14 carries, while Mark Robinson ran for a score and 75 yards on nine carries.
Tech (0-6, 0-3 OVC) is idle next week and will return to action as it travels to Tennessee State on Oct. 20 at Nissan Stadium.
Photo by Thomas Corhern