LIVE STATS | AUDIO | VIDEO | GAME NOTES
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Home sweet home. The Tennessee Tech football team gets to take the field for the first time this season in the friendly confines of Tucker Stadium on Saturday night as the Golden Eagles take on North Alabama.
Kickoff on Saturday is set for 6:02 p.m.
Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will have the game on 98.5 KISS FM, while Dylan Vazzano and Metz will call the game on ESPN+ (subscription required).
After two tough weeks on the road, the Golden Eagles are excited to kick off the home slate in front of the Tech fans in an event-packed contest featuring the annual Running of the Freshmen, as well as recognition of the Tech women's basketball teams for their Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship and OVC sportsmanship award honors. This weekend is also Legends Weekend for both football and women's soccer as football will honor the 1953 and 1958 championship teams, while women's soccer will recognize the 25th anniversary of its 1998 OVC title.
Despite an 0-2 record to start the season and Big South/Ohio Valley Conference Football Association play still weeks away, the Golden Eagles look to continue their tune-up before the league slate begins at Lindenwood on Oct. 7.
North Alabama (1-2) looks to be a good match for Tech as the Lions fell to FCS No. 20 Mercer 17-7 on Aug. 26, then came away with a 41-27 victory at home against Chattanooga. Last week, the Lions opened play in the United Athletic Conference – the football combination of the Atlantic Sun and the Western Athletic Conferences – and took a 52-31 defeat at Tarleton State.
The Golden Eagles' series against the Lions dates back to the 1950s, but last year's meeting was the first time the two teams faced each other in 63 years. Tech won the game 35-27 as the defense had four big stops in their own territory to stall UNA. The Lions had a chance late as they got to the Tech 10, but the Golden Eagle defense held UNA to 4th-and-goal and yielded just a field goal.
ShunDerrick Powell rushed for 151 yards on 30 carries last season against Tech, while quarterback Noah Walters completed 21-of-36 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns – including Takairee Kenebrew and Demarcus Lacey hauling in TD strikes.
Three of those four return for another campaign this season. Walters has thrown for 679 yards and four touchdowns in three games so far, while Lacey has rushed for 210 yards and two touchdowns and Kenebrew has three touchdown catches among 11 grabs for 229 yards.
In the last meeting, the Golden Eagles were able to get rushing touchdowns for Jeremiah Oatsvall, David Gist, Justin Pegues and O.J. Ross as Tech rushed for 268 yards on 34 carries, averaging 7.9 yards per tote. However, only the latter two are on the 2023 roster.
The Golden Eagles, facing a stingy FCS defense in Furman and an FBS program in New Mexico, have had a tough time getting the running game going so far, averaging 88.5 yards on the ground with no rushing touchdowns thus far. Willie Miller caught a touchdown in the opener against Furman and Metrius Fleming hauled in a lob to the end zone to give Ethan Roberts two passing scores on the season.
With the success Tech had on the ground last season against the Lions, Saturday appears to be a good opportunity to build some momentum there.
Roberts, in his first two career starts, has thrown for 368 yards as well. While Furman did intercept him three times in the season opener, Roberts had a clean sheet free of turnovers against FBS New Mexico.
Jayvian Allen leads Tech on the ground with 86 yards on 20 carries, while Brad Clark leads the team in receiving with 116 yards on 11 catches. On the defensive side, Aaron Swafford leads Tech with 17 stops and a fumble recovery, while Daniel Rickert and Hudson Tucker each have a sack, Tim Coutras, Jackson Price and Okachi Emmanwori each have an interception, and Swafford has a fumble recovery.
Following Saturday's game, Tech will host Kennesaw State next week before taking the open date into Big South/OVC play.
Season 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 | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
