Posted: Nov 18, 2016
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – For the Tennessee Tech football team, 20 players will take to the field for the final time on Saturday as the Golden Eagles host Murray State in their season finale.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. from Tucker Stadium.
Looking down the senior class, it's been an important one for the Golden Eagles under the first-year direction of Marcus Satterfield.
Before the game kicks off, the Tech seniors will be honored, including Michael Birdsong, Robert Hill Bronson, Thomas Bronson, Jake Buttram, Krys Cates, Will Chatmon, Corey DeBoe, Senquay Eichelberger, Joel Forrester, Hayden Freels, Maleek Hall, Kyron Hart, Steven Lillard, Cory Malone, Zach Malone, Isaiah McKinney, Charles Mouton, J.T. Rankin, Kevin Robinson-White and Jordan Smith.
But before they call it a career, they have one more task on hand – getting a win over the Racers and locking up a third-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Ironically enough, though, Murray State (4-6, 4-3 OVC) has the exact same goal. Both teams are looking for their best record since 2011 – the year the Golden Eagles earned the automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs.
Tech, however, will have to stop a certifiable passing threat in quarterback K.D. Humphries, who became the Racers' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown after falling 33-15 to top-ranked Jacksonville State.
The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series against the Racers 44-36-1, with Tech winning the last two meetings in the series – a 30-27 overtime win in Cookeville in 2014 and a 31-29 win at Murray last year. In the 32 meetings in Cookeville, Tech is 21-11, including 6-1 in the last seven games at Tucker Stadium.
Humphries leads the Racers with 2,738 yards on 241-for-379 passing, throwing 22 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions. Jordon Gandy has been the biggest recipient, hauling in 11 touchdown catches among his 54 catches for 898 yards.
Freshman Mareio McGraw leads the Racers in rushing with 92 carries for 543 yards and five touchdowns.
Connor Mitchell leads Murray in scoring with 80 points, including 18-for-25 on field goals and 26-for-26 on PATs.
Zachary Wade is the Racers' defensive leader with 83 tackles, an interception, three break-ups and three fumble recoveries.
For Tech, Birdsong has thrown for 2,299 yards and 14 touchdowns on 198-for-321 passing, while Dontez Byrd has caught 60 passes for 735 yards, including five touchdowns. Yeedee Thaenrat has rushed for 589 yards and five touchdowns on 144 carries.
Nick Madonia, who kicked a record-setting 57-yard field goal last week, leads Tech in scoring with 59 points, including 11-for-14 on field goals and 26-of-28 on extra points. Josh Poplar leads the Golden Eagles defensively with 94 tackles, a pass break-up, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Dylan Vazzano and Buddy Pearson will provide broadcast duties for KISS 98.5 FM and the Golden Eagle Sports Network, while Tim Scruggs and Sam Brooks will broadcast the game for WCTE.
Tickets for the game are still available at the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, by calling (931) 372-3940 or by visiting www.ttusports.com.
