ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Tennessee Tech was able to get deep into Lindenwood territory, but as hard as the Golden Eagles tried, Tech was silenced on Saturday as the host Lions shut the Golden Eagles out 23-0 at Hunter Stadium.

 

But the Golden Eagles were already fighting an uphill battle as Lindenwood returner Spencer Redd took Devin Parker's opening kickoff and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown – the first kickoff returned for a touchdown against the Golden Eagles since UT Martin in 2016.

 

And every time Tech found a little bit of momentum, Lindenwood's defense proved to be a roadblock. Tech lost the ball on a fumble to end a 51-yard drive at the Lion 24, then there were four turnovers on down – three on drives of five or more plays, two on sustained drives of 12 or more plays. Two of those drives ended on sacks, including on 4th-and-goal at the Lindenwood 8. Tech also had an interception that started a Lindenwood drive ending in a field goal, as well as lost fumble on a punt return.

 

Tech (1-4, 0-1 Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association) did see success on defense despite the score. Lindenwood collected just one offensive touchdown as Redd caught a 52-yard pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Carter Davis. The Golden Eagles held the Lions (3-3, 1-1 Big South-OVC) to four field goal tries with Logan Seibert connecting from 49, 23 and 41 yards before missing from 43 midway through the fourth quarter.

 

The Golden Eagles' passing attack was held to 122 yards, completing 12 of 34 passes with the Lions sacking starter Hayes Gibson five times. Gibson was 8-for-22 for 65 yards, while Jordyn Potts completed four of his 12 tries for 57 yards.

 

On the ground, Tech rushed for 96 net yards on 40 carries with Justin Pegues collecting 89 of those on 17 totes.

 

Lindenwood's offense did not fare much better. The Lions rushed for 71 total yards on 39 carries and threw for 143 yards on 12-of-19 passing. The difference came on average field position as Tech's average start was at its own 27, while Lindenwood was able to start around its 47 in the fourth quarter and on average of its own 35 for the game.

 

Tech picked up five sacks of its own in the contest as Daniel Rickert had two-and-a-half for seven yards, Aaron Swafford one-and-a-half for five yards and Theron Gaines had one for 10 yards. Swafford and Jacquez McGowan led Tech with seven tackles each, the same number as Lindenwood leaders Kobe McClendon and Brenden Dye.

 

It was the first shutout against the Golden Eagles in conference play since a loss against UT Martin in 2016.

 

Tech returns to action on the road next week as the Golden Eagles head to South Carolina State for their final non-conference contest of the season. Tech's next home game is Oct. 21 as Southeast Missouri comes to Cookeville for Big South-OVC action.