By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After an exciting victory over Austin Peay to open the 2020-21 campaign, the Tennessee Tech football team earned the respect of voters across the country as the first Stats Perform Football Championship Poll was released Monday with the Golden Eagles taking No. 23 in the poll.
It is the first Top 25 ranking for Tech since 2011 season, finishing 21st in the poll and 19th in the FCS Coaches Poll after the Golden Eagles won the Ohio Valley Conference's automatic bid and their 10th conference championship.
It is the 14th different season in program history to receive a Top 25 ranking, including as high as No. 3 in the Associated Press Division II Poll in 1977 before the NCAA realignment into I-A/I-AA, as well as the No. 8 spot in the final three UPI polls in the 1972 campaign.
In addition to the ranking, junior linebacker Seth Carlisle was also named an honorable mention for Stats Perform's National Defensive Player of the Week. Carlisle led the Golden Eagles on defense as he recorded a game-high 11 tackles – eight solo and three assisted – while also recovering a fumble on a kickoff at the Austin Peay 21 to help set up a touchdown-scoring drive. He also had a pass breakup in the win.
The OVC had plenty of representation on the poll as Jacksonville State took the No. 16 spot, followed by Southeast Missouri in 21st. Austin Peay and UT Martin both received votes.
North Dakota State, James Madison, South Dakota State, Weber State and Northern Iowa were among the top five.
The poll is voted on by a national panel with selected members of the media and representatives from each conference.
Up next for the Golden Eagles is a visit to No. 16 Jacksonville State on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.