By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech defensive lineman Theron Gaines shut down the Gardner-Webb offense on Saturday, creating big stop after big stop and pushing the Runnin' Bulldogs back deep in their own territory.
Conference and national voters saw the effort too as Gaines was selected as both the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week as well as the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week.
It is the first National Player of the Week honor for the Tech program since quarterback Bailey Fisher was named the National Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 2, 2019, following the overtime victory over Samford. It is the first National Defensive Player of the Week honor for the Golden Eagles since Marty Jones' four-interception, 12-tackle game against Eastern Kentucky in 2014.
In all, Gaines recorded seven tackles – six of them solo – with 3.5 tackles-for-loss for an astounding 38 yards. That included three sacks for 36 yards – standing two short of the single-game records set by Tech Sports Hall of Famers Branon Vaughn against EKU in 1988 and Elois Grooms against Murray State in 1974.
Gaines also forced a fumble that teammate Daniel Rickert returned for a touchdown in the Golden Eagles' 52-21 victory over the defending Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association champions on Saturday.
For the season, the Murfreesboro native has 12 total tackles, including five for-loss for 42 yards and 3.5 sacks for 39 yards. He has a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble to his credit. In his career, he has 39 stops, 6.5 sacks and 12.0 tackles-for-loss.
On the Big South-OVC side, Lindenwood wide receiver Jeff Caldwell was the Offensive Player of the Week after catching four passes – all for touchdowns – for 115 yards in the Lions' 28-25 win at Eastern Illinois. Gaines shared the Defensive Player of the Week honor with UT Martin's Oshae Baker, who had a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown with six tackles in the Skyhawks' FBS win over Kennesaw State. Southeast Missouri kicker D.C. Pippin (4-for-6 FG. 1-for-1 PAT, 13 points) was the Specialist of the Week and Tennessee State linebacker Sanders Ellis (11 tackles, one forced fumble) was the Freshman of the Week.
Also earning Stats Perform FCS honors this week were Stony Brook running back Roland Dempster (Offensive), Drake kicker Shane Dunning (Special Teams), Dayton quarterback Drew VanVleet (Freshman) and East Tennessee State.
Tech running back Aidan Littles was an honorable mention for Freshman of the Week after rushing for 118 yards on 10 carries, including an 87-yard breakaway for a touchdown -- tied for the fourth-longest run from scrimmage in program history. Littles averaged 11.8 yards per rush.
The Golden Eagles – holding a 2-0 start in conference play for the first time since 2011 -- return home this week as they host South Carolina State in a non-conference affair. Kickoff Saturday is set for 1:30 p.m.
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.
