By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Big plays when they were needed most, plus a gutsy performance by redshirt freshman John Arnold, proved to be just enough for the Tennessee Tech football team Saturday evening, as the Golden Eagles (2-3, 1-1) took down Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State (1-4, 0-2), 30-27, in overtime at Tucker Stadium.
The victory, which came after Arnold drilled a 20-yard field goal in overtime, snapped a four-game skid for the Tech squad in the longest-running series in program history. It also marked the first win in overtime for the Golden Eagles since 2012, when Tech knocked off UT Martin, also in Tucker Stadium.
The former walk-on kicker was perfect on the night, converting all three PATs as well as going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a 41-yarder with nine seconds left to play in regulation to notch things up at 27-27.
Despite surrendering over 500 yards of total offense, the Tech defense came up with big plays throughout the night to give the offense a chance late in the contest. The Golden Eagle D recovered three fumbles on the night and allowed just two touchdowns on seven red zone appearances by the Racers.
The Murray State offense moved the ball quickly and often, totaling an incredible 105 plays for 561 yards. All but scoring drive took less than two minutes for the Racers, but the Tech defense held strong when it mattered most.
Midway through the second quarter, the Racers grabbed a 10-3 lead after marching down the field for a touchdown in just 90 seconds. It took even less time for Tech to answer.
For the second time in as many home games, junior return man Ladarius Vanlier showed off his PF Flyers, racing through holes on the ensuing kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown to tie the game. The runback, which marked a career-long for the speedster, tied for the second longest kick return and scoring play in program history. Only Dickie Fulton's 100-yard return in 1973 against East Tennessee State sits higher.
The Tech and Murray State offenses traded touchdowns before the Racers grabbed its fourth lead of the contest with 10:35 to play in the third quarter. It wasn't until the 7:48 mark of the fourth quarter that Tech made its move.
Trailing 24-17, Darian Stone found Cody Matthews in the corner of the endzone for a brilliant TD grab with a defender draped all over him to tie the game. The senior wideout led the the Tech receivers with 73 yards on five grabs.
Murray raced down the field on an eight-play drive to try and retake the lead, but the 38-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right and gave the Golden Eagles another opportunity.
Both sides traded punts before starting quarterback Darian Stone was forced to the leave the game with an injury. Sophomore Jared Davis entered the contest and was immediately met by a Racer defender. The ball squirted out and the opposition pounced on it with under three minutes to play.
Once again, the Tech defense held strong, not allowing a yard to the Racer offense and forcing another 38-yard field goal attempt. The kick sailed through the uprights with just 1:29 left to play, leaving little hope for a Golden Eagle squad with a cold quarterback and little time.
The Vanlier return earlier in the contest proved huge as Murray refused to kick the ball deep, giving the Golden Eagles the ball at the 38-yard line to start their final drive. A few short plays and a false start penalty left TTU staring 4th-and-8 in the face with under a minute to play.
And then Davis hit Matthews for one of the plays of the game, connecting on a 17-yard pass that gained an extra 15 yards after a targeting call against the Racers. Down at the MSU 28, Tech nearly lost its opportunity when a muffed snap cost the Golden Eagles seven yards. Junior back Willie Davis dove on the ball to keep possession for Tech.
Davis followed by immediately dialing in a 17-yard completion to redshirt freshman QW Brock McCoin. After a quick pass attempt fell incomplete, John Arnold jogged out for the biggest kick of his life (for the moment) with just 13 seconds left on the clock.
Starting with the ball in overtime, the Racers jumped right out of the gate with an 11-yard gain. It was the only thing that went right for them in extra period. Tech forced a loss of nine on the next play and after two more stops, forced a 35-yard field goal attempt. Again the kick sailed wide right giving Tech a window of opportunity.
On 3rd-and-10, Davis hit Brock McCoin for a 10-yard gain and a first down. He then moved the chains again with a carry of 15 yards. After using three rushes to the take the ball to the three-yard line, Arnold trotted out for the biggest kick of his life (again). And he converted.
Junior runningback Radir Annoor led the Golden Eagles with 59 yards on the ground on 14 attempts. Stone completed 15-of-30 passes for 136 yards and a score, while McCoin collected six catches for 58 yards.
Punter Jonathan King played big, dropping three punts inside the 20-yard line while averaging an impressive 47.2 yards per attempt, including a 59-yard bomb.
Making his first career start at Tucker Stadium, freshman linebacker Trey Thompson paced the Tech D with a whopping 15 tackles. Fellow linebacker Jay Rudwall finished right behind with 14 stops on the night.
A total of six Golden Eagles grabbed double-digit tackle counts, including Thompson, Rudwall, Austin Tallant (13), Marty Jones (11), Jimmy Laughlin (10), and Cory Webber (10).Tallant also finished with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
The Golden Eagles have a short week before they return to action, meeting with the Skyhawks of UT Martin next Thursday, Oct. 9 on the road.
