By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – If Tennessee Tech head coach Dewayne Alexander's call to get better every day continues to be heeded, come August 31 as the Golden Eagles host Samford, the memories of the 2018 campaign could be a distant memory.
While it wasn't a perfect scrimmage Saturday night at Tucker Stadium – and no first scrimmage is -- there were still plenty of highlights and reasons to be excited about the Golden Eagles' progress.
It did take a full offensive rotation for the Golden Eagle attackers to put points on the unofficial scoreboard, but when quarterback Bailey Fisher and the first-team offense got going, the unit looked solid. The first score came as David Gist III was able to evade the top-line defense and break loose for a 72-yard touchdown run, the longest offensive play of the night.
Haidar Zaidan followed the scoring up with two good field goals. As he is acclimating to the position and filling the big shoes of departed kicker Nick Madonia, the senior had some ups and downs but had a solid night as he went 3-for-6.
Several of the newcomers had great nights as quarterback Willie Miller, linebacker Xavier Washington, running back John Jones and wide receiver Metrius Fleming put up solid efforts.
The offense added another pair of touchdowns as two players ran for the same yardage as their uniform numbers as Quinton Cross scored on an 11-yard run and D.J. Worthy broke loose for a 32-yard score.
Fisher threw a 12-yard touchdown strike to Fleming, then Miller put the Tech offense in great position as the freshman QB broke free for a couple of good runs before the defense stepped up and put a stop to the drive.
After a touchdown pass was negated by a flag, the defense responded with two interceptions on the next two drives as Jamaal Singleton and Marcus McMeans each hauled one in and potentially could have taken them back to the house had the officials not blown the play dead.
When the unofficial fourth quarter of the scrimmage started and down-and-distance was employed, Fisher and Andrew Goldsmith marched the team to midfield, Fisher completed a 27-yard pass to Tavin Kilpatrick, then Gist finished it off with his second touchdown of the night, breaking loose for a 26-yarder.
Samari Burns closed out the defensive effort with an interception return for a touchdown just before the night concluded.
The Golden Eagles resume camp work on Sunday. The next scrimmage action for Tech is Saturday as the Gathering of Eagles comes to Tucker Stadium at noon.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech football is on sale now. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
