By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It was almost a record day for the Tennessee Tech football team as the Golden Eagles rushed for 400 yards on Saturday to take a 52-10 victory over Lindenwood on Homecoming.
Tech rushed 38 times for 400 yards, led by 128 yards on 13 carries from Jalen Mitchell. In all, the Golden Eagles ran for five touchdowns while averaging 10.5 yards per carry. Aidan Littles, Torin Baker, Jordan Yates and Tyler Wilson also ran for scores, while quarterback Dylan Laible also threw a touchdown strike to D.J. Linkins among his 13 pass completions of 119 yards.
The Golden Eagles (4-5, 4-2 Big South-OVC) compiled 519 yards of total offense, the most since the 2022 game against the Lions where Tech collected 553 yards of offense with 250 passing and 303 rushing.
The single-game record for rushing is 412 yards recorded against East Tennessee State in 1956.
Tech's defense also held Lindenwood to 249 yards total, including 68 rushing yards – the fourth time this season the Golden Eagles have held an opposing rushing attack to under 100 yards. Robert Giaimo collected 44 yards on 10 carries, while Steve Hall, who rushed for 259 yards and four touchdowns against Western Illinois, was held to 28 yards on seven carries.
Ball control also played in Tech's favor as the Golden Eagles did not give up the ball, while Cayman Spaulding recorded a 29-yard pick-six along with six tackles, 2.5 for-loss and a sack. Daniel Rickert and Kanstin Brooks forced fumbles with Brooks and Omari Philyaw collecting the loose ball.
Tech also put pressure on Lindenwood, collecting six sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss. Rickert led the team with seven tackles. Rickert, Spaulding, Toby Bolton and A.J. Crawford each had a full sack, while Theron Gaines, Idris King, Seth Vaughn and Xavier Randolph each had half a sack.
Lindenwood's lone touchdown came on a 23-yard pass from quarterback Nate Glantz to Darrin Fugitt in the third quarter. It was the Lions' first score in the contest to break a 31-0 deficit. The Lions also collected a 21-yard field goal from Lance Seibert with 9:18 remaining in the contest.
The Golden Eagles scored the only points in the first half. Mitchell completed a seven-play, 69-yard series with a 35-yard run. Tech added two scoring drives in the second quarter as Dom LeBlanc kicked a 22-yard field goal to wrap up a 93-yard, 18-play drive. Linkins caught a 31-yard pass from Laible with the PAT making it 17-0 at the half.
Tech scored 28 points in the third quarter alone. Littles capped off a four-play, 75-yard series with a 22-yard rush. On Lindenwood's next series, Spaulding intercepted Glantz and brought it all the way back for a touchdown.
Following the Lions' lone touchdown, Tyler Wilson ran for a 22-yard touchdown and Jordan Yates a 10-yard score to close out the third quarter. After Seibert's 21-yard field goal, Torin Baker put Tech's final touchdown on the board with a 67-yard run.
The Golden Eagles hit the road again for the next two weeks as they venture to Samford for a non-conference contest next Saturday before heading to UT Martin the following week. Tech returns home on Nov. 23 for the regular-season finale vs. Eastern Illinois.
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 | Jim Dillon
