Posted: Sep 15, 2016
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a fantastic effort last Saturday to give the Tennessee Tech football team its first win of the season, the Golden Eagles can't rest on their laurels long as they head to Macon, Ga., on Saturday to take on the Mercer Bears.
Kickoff for the game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT start from Five Star Stadium.
Last week, the Golden Eagles (1-1, 1-0 Ohio Valley Conference) showed just how explosive its offense can be, exploding for 493 yards against the Governors as quarterback Michael Birdsong threw four touchdowns in the contest.
However, the Bears, out of the Southern Conference, will be a whole other animal to contend with. Mercer was projected to finish fourth in the league. Wofford, who the Golden Eagles faced in the season opener and fell to 21-7, were projected sixth.
Still, the Golden Eagles were able to earn the victory against Mercer last season as receiver Krys Cates hauled in seven passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:47 left to play.
Cates will be back for this year's return trip, but he's got a lot more options around him with transfers Dontez Byrd (Louisville) and Kip Patton (Temple), as well as Jordan Smith, Austin Hicks and Brock McCoin – who all caught touchdown passes last week in the victory over the Governors.
It's not just the passing game that has shown prowess through the first two games, though. Tech has capable running backs in freshmen Yeedee Thaenrat, Roderick Napper and Andrew Goldsmith. All three are averaging 60 yards or more rushing per game.
The Golden Eagle defense also had a fantastic outing against the Governors, holding APSU to 86 rushing yards and 157 passing yards. Tech also forced six fumbles, recorded four sacks and picked off one pass. The Golden Eagles also held Peay to just 10 first downs and kept them to a 0-for-0 night in the red zone as the Governors' lone touchdown came from a deep pass.
Mercer, on the other hand, comes into the game with an 0-2 record, falling 24-23 to The Citadel in the opener, then dropping a 35-10 decision at Georgia Tech last week.
Quarterback John Russ leads the Bears in rushing and passing, rushing for 98 total yards in the first two games, while also throwing for 397 yards on a 39-for-63 effort.
Payton Usher and Alex Lakes are both averaging 45 rushing yards for Mercer. Marquise Irvin has caught 15 passes for 146 yards, while Avery Ward has the lone receiving touchdown along with his six catches for 135 yards.
Tripp Patterson leads the Mercer tacklers with 17 total stops.
The Bears defense has two fumble recoveries, but has yet to intercept a pass or sack the opposing quarterback in two contests.
Roger Ealey and Dylan Vazzano will handle broadcast duties on 98.5 KISS FM for the Golden Eagle Sports Network. The game will also be carried on ESPN3 with Pete Yanity on play-by-play and Will Merritt with color, while Lyndsay Rowley will be on the sidelines.
