By Will Barnhart, TTU Sports Information student assistant
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech football fans got their first look at the 2023 Golden Eagles squad as players competed in the program's annual Purple and Gold Spring Game on Saturday afternoon at Tucker Stadium. The scrimmage was the finale of this year's spring practice, during which Coach Dewayne Alexander's sixth Tennessee Tech team sought to lay a solid foundation for the upcoming season.
The sun was out and so was the ball as the Golden Eagles defense took advantage of a poor exchange in the offensive backfield on the first play from scrimmage, pouncing on the loose football for an early fumble recovery.
Not long after, the defense made another big play as sophomore defensive back Caleb Nichols delivered a huge hit on a swing pass to jar the ball loose, leading to fellow defender Jalon Baker scooping the ball up and galloping down the sideline for a touchdown.
The first explosive play for the offense came when transfer quarterback Hayes Gibson found veteran tight end Hunter Barnhart down the seam for a 22-yard strike. However, sacks by Baker and Jacquez McGowan prevented an offensive score.
On the next series, freshman and early-enrollee Jordyn Potts hit running back Torin Baker for a completion, then scampered down the sideline for a 34-yard gain. However, the Golden Eagles defense, led by new defensive coordinator Adam Braithwaite, stood strong near the goal line and forced a chip shot field goal from Devin Parker.
During the next series of plays, Aaron Lovins stepped in front of Hayes Gibson's intended target on a screen pass to force another turnover for the defense. Following the interception, quarterback Maddux Richey had a nice series -- completing three consecutive passes -- including a 20-yard chunk play to Quavel Thornton. Hayden Olsen knocked through a long 49-yard field goal to give the offense another score.
The first offensive touchdown came in the red zone when Ethan Roberts found Bradley Clark in the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Soon after, the Golden Eagles backfield got in on the scoring action as running back Torin Baker barreled into the end zone for a score.
The defense still had more to say though, and with the offense backed up inside their own five-yard line, an army of Golden Eagle defenders smothered running back Justin Pegues in the endzone for a safety. Just a few plays later, Caleb Nichols went up in front a leaping receiver and snagged a downfield pass from Roberts for another interception. In total, the defense forced four turnovers on the afternoon.
The offense found its rhythm during the two-minute drill portion of the scrimmage with Gibson and Potts each engineering a touchdown drive. Gibson took the offense down the field by getting the ball to receiver Bradley Clark three consecutive times before finding Willie Miller for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Potts got the offense moving by finding Quavel Thornton for eight yards before hooking up with Jalal Dean for three chunk plays, including a 21-yard touchdown grab that wrapped up the day's action.
The Golden Eagles' four quarterbacks combined for 250 yards through the air, hitting the mark on 21 of their 34 throws. Potts led the way, completing five of his seven attempts for 95 yards.
With the completion of spring practice, the team will wrap up the semester before workouts resume in the summer leading to camp in August.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech football are now on sale -- call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo | Jim Dillon
