By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the annual Gathering of Eagles came to a close, the Tennessee Tech football team saw great work from the defensive unit as the last three series ended with a turnover on downs, a Cole Putnam interception and a called sack to end the night, but that was just the tip of the iceberg for the defense on the evening.
That's not to say the offense was caught off-guard, because the attackers still found ways to get into the end zone as Maddux Richey connected to Hunter Barnhart for a 29-yard touchdown pass, Hayes Gibson and Ethan Roberts scored on quarterback keepers, while Gibson also had a 64-yard connection to Jordan Harris, who narrowly beat Gerald Kilgore in a footrace to the end zone.
Hayden Olsen also kicked a 25-yard field goal and had two PATs, while Devin Parker also drilled a PAT through the upright.
The defense held the Golden Eagle offense to nearly midfield in the first series, then forced a turnover on downs on the second before the offense was able to pick up its first score of the day. Gibson found Raekwon Heath for a 10-yard pickup, then after a Harris one-yard gain, Gibson found Harris again on a screen, who worked outside at full-speed up the left sideline.
Things started to shift in the offensive side's favor as Tech drove from the offensive 25 to the defensive 12 in four plays. From there, the defense stepped up, stopping a reverse eight yards behind scrimmage on first down to stall the drive.
A Richey 12-yard pass to Marcellus Jackson got the offense to the defensive 8. Following an incompletion, the offense went for the field goal with Olsen nailing the 25-yarder.
Three more series passed before the Golden Eagle offense was able to get back into striking distance, thanks to defensive pressure. On the next drive though, Tech moved the chains four times, including a 19-yd. Roberts pass to Reece Perkins to convert a 3rd-and-16 to a 1st-and-goal. After two short gains, Robert flopped over the line for the score.
After allowing scores on the next two drives, the defense roared back as it gained momentum on a showdown near the defensive end zone as Okachi Emmanwori was able to break up a potential scoring pass to Jalal Dean. A sack by Idris King capped off the next, then the defense held in three of four tries in a 2-point showdown.
A pass incompletion, an interception and a sack wrapped up the final drives of the night.
The Golden Eagles now head into preparation for their season-opening contest at Furman on Aug. 31. Tech will then face New Mexico in the team's annual contest against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent. The Golden Eagles open their final home season at the current version of Tucker Stadium on Sept. 16 against North Alabama.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech Football are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
