COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Umbrellas in a wide variety of sizes
and colors spotted the stands in Tucker Stadium Saturday morning as
Tennessee Tech’s most durable football faithful turned out
despite miserably cold conditions and rain for the final Golden
Eagles scrimmage session of spring drills.
The fans saw an offense that can really move up-and-down the
field, piling up 493 yards and 34 points.
They saw a defensive unit that showed it too can rise to the
occasion, forcing four huge turnovers and making a spirited goal
line stand.
And, they saw a Golden Eagle attack that will certainly live up to
the claim as “the fastest 60 minutes in football.”
“I have been really proud of this team this spring,”
said coach Watson Brown. “They are learning the pace that we
want to play, they understand the pace, and they did the right
things out here.”
Brown’s staff ran the team through a total of 67 plays from
scrimmage in a little more than an hour – including a
“halftime” break – and the Golden Eagles gave the
veteran coach plenty of reasons to smile.
“I saw three big positives out here today,” Brown said.
“One, we had only one penalty in nearly 70 plays.
That’s fantastic. Two, the defense forced four turnovers. And
they were critical turnovers, coming out of the end zone or going
in. That’s fantastic.
“Three, we had great movement of the ball by the offense,
and they looked polished doing it,” he said.
With just one final practice session remaining this spring
(Tuesday afternoon), Brown’s staff will work this summer at
crafting a squad that can challenge for the 2011 Ohio Valley
Conference crown and the NCAA FCS playoffs.
It won’t be an easy task.
“We’ve got some very tough decisions to make,”
Brown said. “We’ll be able to watch the films and make
decisions on every player on where they will fit into this team
when we walk back in the door in the fall.”
The scrimmage began with the punting unit getting in a few tries,
and Nick Campbell delivered some impressive efforts. In eight
kicks, the rising senior averaged better than 45 yards per
kick.
Three quarterbacks shared time running the offense as Brown looks
to settle the depth chart behind projected starter Tre Lamb. The
three combined to go 16-for-25 for 165 yards with one touchdown and
two interceptions. Those numbers were hurt by four dropped
passes.
Lamb was 4-for-4 for 44 yards in limited play. Ryan Tilghman, a
rising sophomore from Columbia who was the victim of three dropped
attempts, was 6-for-12 for 49 yards with an interception. Redshirt
freshman Darian Stone was 6-for-9 for 72 yards with one touchdown
and one interception. He was charged with the other dropped
ball.
Nine different receivers caught balls during the scrimmage, topped
by Carter Crutchfield with three for 33 yards. Charlie
Stevens, who’s known for his blocking more than his pass
catching prowess, grabbed two passes for 37 yards including a
26-yard touchdown from Stone. Julian Goins had three receptions for
24 yards and Demetrous Garrett caught two for 25 yards.
The ground game generated 328 yards in 42 attempts, reaching the
end zone three times including twice by newcomer Adam Urbano.
Zack Ziegler was the top ground gainer with 61 yards in just three
tries. Dontey Gay had six rushed for 58 yards and Urbano finished
with 56 yards and two scores in six tries. Tilghman was next with
40 yards in five carries, while Cody Forbes added 31 yards on four
totes, including a touchdown.
Despite giving up some hefty numbers, the defense had some
standout moments, beginning on the opening drive. After Lamb had
marched the offense 59 yards in seven plays, they were stonewalled
at the goal line on consecutive plays, first by freshman Jordan
Johnson, then by the entire defensive line.
That effort brought in kicker Matthew Barker for a 20-yard field
goal. Barker finished the day 4-for-4 on PAT kicks and 2-for-3 on
field goals. He also kicked a 25-yarder, then narrowly missed on a
46-yard kick on the final play of the day.
The initial touchdown was a two-yard run by Urbano to cap a
five-play, 57-yard scoring drive behind Lamb. All of the yardage
came on the ground.
On the next series, Stone’s deep pass toward the end zone
was picked off at the two by Corey Watson, who outmaneuvered the
receiver and made an outstanding effort to earn the
interception.
The defense made back-to-back plays as Brown asked the offense to
start its next possession at its own two-yard line following the
interception. The ball was jarred loose and sophomore Lamar Moore
recovered at the two. Forbes crashed over the left side on the
first play for a touchdown.
The quickest drive of the day was a three-play, 65-yard explosion
engineered by Stone. After a seven-yard strike to Garrett, Ziegler
broke free for a 44-yard run to the 14. Urbano got the call on the
next play and raced 14 yards to paydirt.
Stone delivered another quick scoring drive, moving the offense 65
yards in seven plays, including a 14-yard pass to Crutchfield and a
14-yard carry by Forbes. The touchdown came on a 26-yard strike
over the middle to Stevens.
The third turnover of the day came on a fourth-and-one from the
36. Alden Olverson had picked up the first down with a six-yard
gain, but veteran Travis Adkins delivered a tackle that knocked the
ball free and Howard Griffin recovered to halt the drive.
Cornerback Dominick Baker claimed the fourth turnover,
interception Tilghman’s pass in the end zone. The offense had
moved to the 18 before losing the ball.
Stone marched his unit for one more score, this time a 25-yard
field goal by Baker after moving 69 yards in seven plays. Gay
highlighted the drive with a 25-yard run.
The final possession went to Tilghman and he marched the team 30
yards in five plays, reaching a second down at the 36 when Brown
called on Barker for a 46-yard field goal try which had plenty of
distance but went wide right.
Whether or not the weather was a factor in Saturday’s
outcome is irrelevant.
“We’ve gotten to practice in all types of weather this
spring,” Brown said. “We had snow, rain, and one day
near 90 degrees. We’ve seen nearly every weather condition we
might see in the fall.”
In the photos above --
Top) The defense forced a fumble on this play which set up an easy
two-yard tochdown (photo by Nick Burns)
2) Zack Ziegler's grandmother, Jane, and sister, Rebecca, weathered
the rain to watch (photo by Rob Schabert)
3) Charlie Stevens had two catches for 37 yards including a 26-yard
TD (photo by Thomas Corhern, Herald-Citizen)
4) Ryan Tilghman accounted for 89 yards on 17 plays (photo by
Thomas Corhern, Herald-Citizen)
June 27, 2011
Hall of Famer Lowell Smith passes away; Services Monday
June 22, 2011
Edwards named honorable mention preseason All-America
May 1, 2011
Off the gridiron; on the job
April 14, 2011
Football team holds annual Spring Game Saturday at 11
February 22, 2011
Save the date: Jim Ragland Bass Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 7
February 22, 2011
Astronaut, former Golden Eagle Barry Wilmore speaker for Chamber
February 2, 2011
Versatility key in Golden Eagle 2011 football signing class
January 30, 2011
Benford wins Robert Hill Johnson Award, eight others honored
January 21, 2011
Public invited as Golden Eagles holds annual awards dinner Jan. 30
January 11, 2011
Hall of Famer Bill Dupes passes; Services Wednesday in Sweetwater
January 5, 2011
It's Game Week: FCS Champion to be crowned Friday night
December 24, 2010
Golden Eagle receiver Tim Benford named to All-America team
December 18, 2010
Student-athletes, support staff among Saturday's graduates
December 17, 2010
Student-athletes, support staff among Saturday's graduates
November 24, 2010
Benford, Hilliard named all-OVC; Crawford on all-newcomer squad
November 22, 2010
Barnes captures national Player of the Week honors
November 21, 2010
Barnes, Crawford and Tooley honored with weekly OVC awards
November 20, 2010
Golden Eagles stun No. 4 Gamecocks with huge fourth quarter comeback
November 17, 2010
Area students with good grades to be honored at Saturday's game
November 16, 2010
Golden Eagles celebrate Senior Day as No. 4 JSU visits Saturday
November 13, 2010
Golden Eagles downed by EKU Colonels in Homecoming clash
November 10, 2010
HOMECOMING: Golden Eagles host Eastern Kentucky Saturday
November 6, 2010
Opportunistic Murray State upends injury-riddled Tech
November 5, 2010
Nine Golden Eagles, eight starters out Saturday at Murray State
November 3, 2010
Golden Eagles return to action with tough chore at Murray State
October 23, 2010
Golden Eagles get "special" win at Tennessee State
October 22, 2010
Four selected for induction into Tech Sports Hall of Fame Nov. 12
October 19, 2010
Golden Eagles look to make it three-in-a-row Saturday in Nashville
October 18, 2010
Edwards, Mitchell selected as National Players of the Week
October 17, 2010
Edwards, Mitchell and Crawford voted OVC weekly honors
October 16, 2010
Defense dominates as Tech tops Panthers, 34-20
October 15, 2010
From Legacy to fireworks, Saturday's game loaded with entertainment
October 13, 2010
Golden Eagles look for back-to-back wins when EIU visits
October 12, 2010
Watson Brown needs your votes for National Coach of the Year
September 30, 2010
Military Appreciation Night when Tech hosts Skyhawks in York Trophy battle
September 30, 2010
Fireworks to light up sky tonight over Tucker Stadium
September 30, 2010
Golden Eagles edged by Skyhawks in Tucker Stadium, 27-24
September 28, 2010
First Tennessee Bank sponsoring annual Football Poster Night Thursday
September 26, 2010
Nashville band Due West featured Thursday in Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park
September 25, 2010
Late rally not enough as Golden Eagles drop OVC opener, 23-21
September 23, 2010
Tech football schedule ranks as toughest in all of NCAA Division I
September 22, 2010
Watson Brown needs your vote for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year poll
September 20, 2010
Golden Eagle conference slate opens Saturday at surprising SEMO
September 16, 2010
Weather halts game early, Golden Eagles earn 43-0 victory over Lane
September 14, 2010
Season opener to finish with fireworks over Tucker Stadium
September 13, 2010
First home game of the season brings Lane Dragons to Tucker Stadium
September 13, 2010
WCTE TV to televise four home games live in 2010
September 11, 2010
Golden Eagle turnovers help No. 4 TCU roll to 62-7 victory
September 9, 2010
Communiversity Night planned at Golden Eagle home opener Thursday
September 9, 2010
Reserve by noon Friday to attend Insider's Lunch Monday
September 8, 2010
Golden Eagles to tackle highest-ranked football foe in OVC history
September 4, 2010
Early lead, solid effort highlight Tech showing at No. 17 Arkansas
September 3, 2010
Five seniors chosen as 2010 Golden Eagle football captains
September 3, 2010
Former players invited back for Football Alumni Reunion Sept. 30
September 1, 2010
Looking Back: A peek into the Golden Eagle photo archives
August 29, 2010
Golden Eagle football guide for 2010 available online
August 27, 2010
OVC finalizes Game of the Week, web streaming plans for football
August 26, 2010
Camp Notebook: Watson Brown Show to air Mondays on TV, radio
August 25, 2010
Camp Notebook: Long snapper Jordan Adams fills key position
August 24, 2010
Camp Notebook: Special events at home games announced
August 21, 2010
Outlook for Golden Eagle success boils down to one word: Depth
August 20, 2010
Camp Notebook: Fans invited to Saturday's Gathering of Eagles
August 15, 2010
First scrimmage gives coaches exactly what they're looking for
August 13, 2010
Who do you think will be Tech's "gamebreaker" this fall?
August 13, 2010
Camp Notebook: First day in pads; Business tickets on sale
August 11, 2010
Looking Back: A peek into the Golden Eagle photo archives
August 10, 2010
Camp Notebook: Golden Eagles to add pads Wednesday
August 9, 2010
Camp Notebook: Spirits soar for Golden Eagles on first day
August 8, 2010
Golden Eagles get fall camp underway Monday morning
August 6, 2010
New feature added to website; Fans can cast votes daily
August 3, 2010
Livingston greets Purple Pride Caravan
August 3, 2010
Watson Brown, Athletics to host weekly Insiders' Lunch
July 27, 2010
Large turnout greets Purple Pride Caravan in Monterey
June 16, 2010
Slade Adams named to preseason FCS All-America team