By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
November 18, 1972
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – There was no doubt who was the top team in the Ohio Valley Conference in the 1972 campaign. Tennessee Tech proved that, closing out an unblemished 7-0 record in the league with a 24-10 victory over Middle Tennessee to wrap up the regular season in front of 13,100 fans at Overall Field.
Jim Youngblood led the defensive effort as he had 20 total tackles – 10 solo and 10 assists – as well as two interceptions, while Mike Hennigan also had 10 solo stops and five assists and Ed Nunley picked up 10 solos and nine assists.
Tech's stout defense punished the Blue Raider offense, especially on the passing game, allowing MTSU (7-3-1, 4-2-1) to complete just eight of 23 pass attempts with three interceptions. In addition to Youngblood's two, John Fitzpatrick also snatched one away.
Blue Raider quarterback Fred Rohrdanz finished the game with 85 total yards and a touchdown, a 10-yarder to Mel Daniels. David Stewart drew in the most completions from Rohrdanz, catching three for 56 yards. Joe Pelt, with 25 carries for 117 yards, collected the bulk of the Blue Raiders' 174 rushing yards, but was held out of the end zone.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles (10-1, 7-0 OVC) rushed for 276 yards. Tech completed two of its four passes for 43 yards – all of that coming on Ron Humphrey's 43-yard touchdown catch from Mike Ledford in the second quarter to break a 10-10 tie.
Ledford led Tech on the ground with 21 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown, while Sam Anderson was close behind with 10 totes for 68 yards. Jay Bonds had the other rushing score, the opening points of the contest at the 11:15 mark – eight plays into the game. Bonds ended the game with 10 carries for 44 yards. Ottis Phillips also had 11 carries for 33 yards.
Butch Gentry was 3-for-3 on PATs, while adding a 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
Up next for the Golden Eagles is a trip down to Baton Rouge, La., to take on Louisiana Tech in the 1972 Grantland Rice Bowl – the NCAA College Division's Mideast regional championship -- on Dec. 9.
