GAME NOTES | WEEK 5 -- at Southeast Missouri (PDF)

By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – As Tennessee Tech heads into its fifth contest of the 2020-21 spring football season, there's still plenty to play for entering the final three games of the season.

First, the Golden Eagles can secure a winning campaign by taking the last three games. Secondly, with victories over Tennessee State and UT Martin, Tech can claim the Sergeant York Trophy for the 2020-21 campaign. Third, the Golden Eagles can continue the progress it has shown over the course of the season.

Tech continues the season on Sunday as the Golden Eagles take on Southeast Missouri on Sunday, starting at 2 p.m. Dylan Vazzano will provide the broadcast on 98.5 KISS FM, while the game will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

The last time Tech traveled to Cape Girardeau, the Redhawks took a 43-37 win in double overtime. The Golden Eagles were able to stall the two-point conversion after Zion Custis' 13-yard touchdown run, but SEMO stopped Tech in the potentially game-winning response as a sack and three incompletions ended the contest.

Bailey Fisher made his return last week at Eastern Illinois, throwing for 230 yards on 22-of-37 passing, but he fell victim to the same dilemma the Tech offense has faced this season – interceptions. He had three passes picked off by the Panthers, continuing the same trend Willie Miller had against Jacksonville State and Murray State.

The Golden Eagles' defense has shown a great amount of improvement thus far this season. Through the first four games of the 2019 season, the Golden Eagles allowed 1,961 yards of total offense, an average of 490.2 total offensive yards – 207.0 rushing and 283.2 passing. Through the first four games of the season, the number has dropped to 329.2 yards of total offense – 160.5 rushing and 168.7 passing.

It's an even more intriguing contrast against the same opponents Tech has faced this season. In 2019 against Austin Peay, Jacksonville State, Murray State and Eastern Illinois, the Golden Eagles allowed 1,773 yards of offense, averaging 443.3 per game, 148.8 rushing and 294.5 passing. Tech is also allowing seven fewer points per game than last season.

That said, opposing defenses have also been able to slow down the Tech offense. Only one game has seen Tech collect more than 100 rushing yards – 187 in the loss to Murray State – while getting 200-plus passing yards in the last two contests, each game eclipsing the previous one.

As the weeks roll on, as the offense is starting to collect more yardage, the defense has also been allowing fewer yardage.

Fisher leads the Golden Eagles in passing with 367 yards on 37-of-61 passing with two touchdowns, while Miller has 334 yards on 28-of-49 passing with a score. Metrius Fleming has the most receiving yards with 11 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown, while Kurt Taylor, Jr., has the most catches with 16, including a touchdown. Taylor also leads Tech in rushing with an average of 35.8 yards per game.

Hayden Olsen, a true freshman, leads the Golden Eagles in scoring as the kicker is 6-for-8 on field goals, including a career-long 51-yarder last week at Eastern Illinois, while also standing as a perfect 10-for-10 on PATs.

Seth Carlisle leads Tech on defense with 29 total tackles, while also collecting an interception, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Tech won the season opener against Austin Peay 27-21, then has lost three straight games, falling 27-10 at Jacksonville State, 36-31 against Murray State and 28-20 last week at EIU, dropping the last two games by roughly a touchdown.

Southeast Missouri enters the game with a 1-4 record, 1-3 in the spring OVC slate. The Redhawks beat Eastern Illinois in the spring opener 47-7, but since then it's been a 24-21 loss to Murray State, a 49-42 double-overtime loss to Austin Peay, then a 21-3 defeat last week at Jacksonville State.

Tech is 15-13 all-time against the Redhawks, but SEMO has won the last three meetings. The Golden Eagles have seen success in Cape Girardeau though, going 6-9 at Houck Field.

Nebraska transfer quarterback Andrew Bunch – a Thompson's Station, Tenn., product – has thrown for 778 yards and three touchdowns in five games, including 267 yards and two touchdowns on 20 catches for Johnny King, while Zack Smith has 196 yards on 24 catches and Aaron Alston 15 catches for 185 yards. Geno Hess is averaging 80.2 yards per game on the ground with 401 total yards and seven touchdowns, while Custis also has four scored and 149 yards on 47 totes.

SEMO has intercepted nine passes this season. Surprisingly, the Redhawks have recorded 18 tackles-for-loss this season for 39 yards (compared to 47 for 156 yards by opponents) and have not claimed a sack in five games this year. Brandon Mincey leads the way with 30 tackles, while Mike Matthews has 28 with an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Murray State and Jacksonville State currently lead the conference standings with identical 4-0 marks, while UT Martin and Austin Peay are 2-2. Eastern Illinois, Tennessee State, Tech and Southeast Missouri are all tied at 1-3.