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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech bids for its fifth consecutive
victory Saturday evening when the resurgent Tennessee State Tigers
visit Tucker Stadium, but there’s much more at stake for the
Golden Eagles than a winning streak.
Tech not only hopes to improve to 2-0 in the chase for the 2011
Sgt. York Trophy, the Golden Eagles also seek to keep pace in the
Ohio Valley Conference championship race. Tech enters the game 4-1
overall and 3-0 in the OVC, tied for the top spot with preseason
favorite Jacksonville State.
The series history bodes well for Tech, which has won the last two
against Tennessee State. Through the years, every winning streak
has reached at least three games in this series between in-state
rivals.
However, recent history will put a little charge in the Golden
Eagles, who had an idle weekend last Saturday while Tennessee State
was crushing defending league champion Southeast Missouri,
55-3.
The game will feature two high-powered offenses led by talented,
efficient quarterbacks. Tech’s Tre Lamb and TSU freshman
Michael German are tied for first in the OVC in passing efficiency.
Lamb needs 303 passing yards to achieve the Top 10 in TTU career
passing yardage. German, meanwhile, has won back-to-back Newcomer
of the Week awards from the OVC.
Another Tech milestone on the horizon finds senior receiver Tim
Benford with 26 career touchdown catches, just one shy of
Larry Shipp’s school record of 27. Benford ranks first in the
league in both receptions and receiving yards per game.
TSU’s passing attack features Calvin McNairl, who is sixth
in receiving yards. Devin Wilson is fourth in receptions per
game.
Tech’s ground game features senior Dontey Gay, who ranks
first in the OVC in rushing yards per game, total offense and
scoring TDs. The Tigers have two ball carriers among the top eight
in the OVC. Trabis Ward is fourth, averaging 86.5 per game while
Dante’ Thomas is eighth with 69.3 per game.
The Golden Eagles are looking for their first five-game win streak
since the final four games of 2000 and the opener in 2001. The last
time Tech won five straight in one season was in 1999, when they
finished 5-5 overall.
Tech is also trying to go to 4-0 in the OVC for the first time
since 1999 under coach Mike Hennigan.
Tickets are on sale at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center
or by calling (931) 372-3940. Saturday is Scout Night at the
stadium, with free admission to all Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
either in uniform or showing scout ID. Scouts can also purchase
tickets for their family members for one dollar ($1) each.
An added feature for the night will be a dual performance at
halftime by two great marching bands as the Tennessee Tech Marching
Band welcomes the Tennessee State Aristocrat of Bands.
Records in 2011:
Tennessee Tech is 4-1 overall / 3-0 Ohio Valley Conference
Tennessee
State is 2-4 overall /1-2 Ohio Valley Conference
Last Week: Tennessee Tech was idle; Tennessee
State defeated Southeast Missouri, 55-3
Last Year: Tech won, 21-10
Series Record: TSU leads, 14-10
Special Events: Scout Night / TSU Marching Band
is special halftime guest
Tech Radio:
Golden Eagle Sports Network (Roger Ealey,
Buddy Pearson, Brandon Goodwin)
also Teamline Direct (Dial 216-502-3200 / enter team code
0654) - $5 per game
Internet:
www.Magic985.com for audio stream
Live Stats: www.TTUsports.com
Web sites:
Tennessee Tech - www.TTUsports.com
Tennessee State - www.tsutigers.com
Social Media: TTU Sports (Facebook);
@TTUGoldenEagles (Twitter)