November 22, 2016
Tech football earns three second-team, three newcomer nods
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech football team earned three second-team and three all-newcomer team nods from the Ohio Valley Conference on Tuesday as the league announced its postseason awards. The teams were voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information contacts.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech football team earned three second-team and three all-newcomer team nods from the Ohio Valley Conference on Tuesday as the league announced its postseason awards.
The teams were voted on by the league's coaches and sports information contacts.
Junior wide receiver Dontez Byrd was named to the second-team offense, while sophomore linebacker Josh Poplar was on the second-team defense and sophomore kicker Nick Madonia was named to the second-team specialists.
Byrd, senior quarterback Michael Birdsong and freshman running back Yeedee Thaenrat were all named to the all-newcomer team.
The Golden Eagles wrapped up their season on Saturday, beating Murray State 55-19 to clinch the third-place finish in the league, the team's highest finish since claiming the OVC automatic bid to the FCS playoffs in 2011.
Byrd ended the season with a school-record 74 catches and 933 yards, hauling in seven touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Poplar led the Golden Eagles with 105 tackles, including 3.5 for-loss, with a pass beak-up, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown against Mercer.
Madonia was 13-for-16 on field goals, including a Tech record 57-yarder against Tennessee State, which tied the Tigers' Lane Clark for the second-longest in the nation this season.
Birdsong threw for 2,577 yards on 216-of-346 passing (62.4 percent) and had a 137.2 efficiency rating. He passed for 17 touchdowns to seven interceptions, and also rushed for four touchdowns.
Thaenrat rushed for 707 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 64.3 yards per game.
Jacksonville State swept the superlative awards as quarterback Eli Jenkins was named the offensive player of the year, defensive end Darius Jackson was the defensive player of the year, safety Marlon Bridges was the freshman of the year and John Grass was the coach of the year.
The Gamecocks also took 17 first- and second-team spots.
