By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In a game where Tennessee Tech piled up the defensive highlights at Robert Morris, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Daniel Rickert shined, earning honorable mention honors for the FedEx Ground National Defensive Player of the Week award Monday morning.
Rickert was involved on all three fumble recoveries in the contest as he forced two turnovers that were brought back for touchdowns – one on his own for a 20-yard score, then setting up Aaron Swafford's 52-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Both of those forced fumbles came on sacks.
Jyron Gilmore dislodged the ball late in the second quarter with Rickert coming up with the ball from the scrum.
In all, Rickert had seven tackles – five solo – with two tackles-for loss (both sacks), while forcing two fumbles and recovering two fumbles, one for a touchdown. Rickert is the first Golden Eagle to force two fumbles in a game since Aderick Moore at Eastern Illinois in 2019 and recover two fumbles since Trey Thompson against Jacksonville State in 2014.
Rickert now has seven sacks on the year for 24 yards with 11.5 tackles-for-loss. He ranks second in the conference in total sacks and 39th in total tackles.
The national (and Big South-OVC) winner, Tennessee State's Terrell Allen, had a career-high day with 10 tackles – seven solo – with a school-record 6.5 tackles-for-loss, including 4.5 sacks, while also forcing two fumbles.
The Golden Eagles had incredible defensive efforts all over the field in the 38-13 victory over the Colonials. Tech forced six turnovers – four short of the school-record of 10, set against Western Kentucky in 1972, and one short of the second-most, seven against Middle Tennessee in 1980 – with three of those coming back for touchdowns. Tech had not recorded three defensive touchdowns in the modern computerized stats era (2001-onward), collecting two against Maryville College in 2011.
Tech also held an opponent to under 100 rushing yards for the fifth straight game.
Kanstin Brooks got it all started with a 12-yard interception return to help set up Jordyn Potts' first touchdown of the game on a one-yard keeper. Tim Coutras had two interceptions in the game, including a 39-yard return for a touchdown to put the final nail in the contest, to become the first Golden Eagle since Seth Carlisle against Western Illinois in 2019 to intercept two passes in a game. Coutras now has a Big South-OVC-most four interceptions on the season.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday as they host UT Martin for the annual Homecoming contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Tickets for the game are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or go online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
