TENNESSEE STATE NOTES | TENNESSEE TECH NOTES
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's been one of Tennessee Tech's biggest rivalry games in recent years, but as the Tennessee State Tigers come into town, both teams will be looking to gain not just a foothold in the Ohio Valley Conference race, but potentially a chance at the Sergeant York Trophy.
Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will carry the game live on 98.5 KISS FM, while Dylan Vazzano and Sam Brooks will handle to streaming broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).
How heated is the battle in recent years? The Golden Eagles (1-4, 0-2 OVC) have won four of the last seven meetings, but the Tigers (1-4, 0-0 OVC) have won three of the last four. Even at Tucker Stadium, neither team has really had the advantage, playing to a 9-9 draw in Cookeville, but Tech has won three of the last four on Overall Field.
Tennessee State's 1-4 record is a misnomer. The first two losses of the season – at Eastern Washington and a home game against Deion Sanders' Jackson State squad – were close battles. Following a 49-6 defeat at nearby Middle Tennessee, the Tigers then were stunned by Division II Lane College with a 28-27 loss in overtime.
TSU responded in kind with a 41-17 blowout victory over Bethune-Cookman for its Homecoming contest. Austin Peay transfer quarterback Draylen Ellis returned from injury, throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-18 passing, then rushing for another 29 yards and a score. The Tigers also had two defensive scores as Tre Boone III scored on a 32-yard fumble recovery, then Josh Green had a 52-yard pick-six to inflate the score.
TSU recovered three fumbles, intercepted a pass and forced Bethune-Cookman to turn the ball over on downs four times in the contest.
Offensively, Ellis stands as the Tigers' leading passer, throwing for 630 yards and three touchdowns in four games. Devon Starling is TSU's leading rusher with 335 yards and a score on 62 carries, while Jalen Rouse is close behind with 226 yards and two TDs on 56 carries. Zack Dobson leads TSU in receiving yardage with 181 yards on 11 catches and a TS, while Cam Wyche has the most catches (12) with 168 yards and a score.
Defensively, Jahsun Bryant has a team-best 30 tackles with half a sack and two QB hurries, while Green has 28 stops, an interception, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick to his credit.
In the conference rankings, TSU is ranked sixth in scoring offense (21.2 ppg), sixth in total offense (307.8 ypg), sixth in rushing offense (147.6 ypg) and sixth in passing offense (160.2 ypg). Tech is averaging a point better on scoring offense (22.4 ppg, fifth), nearly 75 more offensive yards a game (382.2, fourth), almost even on rushing offense (148.0 ypg, fifth), and 74 yards more on passing offense (234.2, fourth).
When it comes to defense, the Tigers are ranked third on scoring defense (29.2 ppg), third in total defense (395.2 ypg), fourth in rushing defense (154.2 ypg) and first in pass defense (241.0 ypg). Tech is sixth in scoring defense (38.6), fifth in total defense (460.0 ypg), fifth in rushing defense (194.6 ypg) and second in pass defense (265.4).
The Golden Eagles are looking for their first win in just over a month, falling in three straight to Samford, UT Martin and Southeast Missouri in succession with an open date mixed in. Four of Tech's first five opponents have been ranked or are currently ranked in their respective Top 25 polls with two more remaining this season.
The Golden Eagles had an opportunity last week at Southeast Missouri to knock off the 21st-ranked Redhawks, but a late-second-quarter interception turned a tied game to a two-touchdown halftime advantage. Tech climbed back and shut SEMO's offense down in the second half. The Golden Eagles were driving late to cut the deficit back down to one possession, but a late interception ended the try.
David Gist became Tech's seventh-leading rusher all-time last week as he eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark. He leads the team this season with 279 yards and three touchdowns on 64 carries, while also has 14 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Gist needs six receptions, 64 all-purpose yards and 40 points to break into the career Top 10 charts in those statistical categories.
Jeremiah Oatsvall recorded his fourth game of 200-or-more passing yards this season and passed the 1,000-yard mark on the year against the Redhawks. He has thrown for 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns on 95-of-160 passing, while also rushing for 164 yards and another score.
Hunter Barnhart leads Tech in receiving with 222 yards on 10 catches, but Metrius Fleming and Gist lead the team in receptions with 14 each. Fleming has 155 yards as well, while Brad Clark (149 yards) and Willie Miller (146 yards) are close behind. Gist, Clark, Miller and Heath Price have each caught two touchdown passes.
Defensively, Josh Reliford leads the team with 37 tackles, half a sack, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry, while Seth Carlisle has 35 stops, two breakups and a QB hurry.
Tickets for Saturday's game are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
