Quinton Cross

2 Quinton Cross
Quinton Cross
  • Height:
    5-11
  • Weight:
    175
  • Hometown:
    Clarksville, Tenn.
  • Position:
    WR
  • Year:
    R-So.
  • Previous School:
    Northeast HS
  • gp
    11
  • tk
    2.0
  • sac
    -
  • int
    -
  • ffum
    -
Bio

2020-21 (Sophomore): In the spring campaign, Cross caught 23 passes for 255 yards, leading the team in receiving yards ... averaged 11.1 yards per catch and 42.5 yards per game .. ran four times for 40 yards ... collected a career-high 101 yards on eight catches with one touchdown in the season finale at UT Martin (4/11/21) ... finished third on the team in all-purpose yardage with 295 yards.

2019 (Freshman): Cross saw action in eight games in 2019 ... caught seven passes for 15 yards, including a long of 11 yards against Virginia-Wise ... had three carries for -9 yards ... recorded one tackle against Miami (Ohio).

HIGH SCHOOL: At Northeast HS, Cross rushed for 1,574 yards in his career and caught passes for 649 yards ... had 28 total touchdowns -- 20 rushing, seven receiving and one on a kickoff return ... named all-district in football and basketball in 2017 and 2018 ... in basketball, helped lead his team to a state Final Four, two region championships and a district championship.

PERSONAL: The son of Njeri and the late Quincy Cross ... born Sept. 21, 2000.

ACADEMIC: Enrolled in interdisciplinary studies.

Player statistics
  Overall Conference
Solo tackles 1 0
Assists 1 1
Tackles 2.0 1.0
Tackles per game .2 .2
Sacks - -
Sack yards - -
Interceptions - -
Returned for touchdown - -
Fumble recoveries - -
Fumble return TDs - -
Tackle for loss 0.0 0.0
Tackle for loss yards - -
Recent results
Recent Games
Date Opponent Result
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20
Game Log - Passing
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score comp att pct yds y/a td int sac yds
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 - - - - - - - - -
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 - - - - - - - - -
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 - - - - - - - - -
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 - - - - - - - - -
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 - - - - - - - - -
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 - - - - - - - - -
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 - - - - - - - - -
Game Log - Rushing
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score rush yds y/a lng td fum lost
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 1 15 15.0 15 0 - -
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 - - - - - - -
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 - - - - - - -
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 1 4 4.0 4 0 - -
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 - - - - - - -
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 4 9 2.3 5 0 - -
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 1 18 18.0 18 0 - -
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 - - - - - - -
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 - - - - - - -
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 - - - - - - -
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 - - - - - - -
Game Log - Receiving
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score rec yds y/r lng td fum lost
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 8 57 7.1 22 0 - -
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 2 37 18.5 23 0 - -
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 5 73 14.6 39 0 - -
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 7 140 20.0 62 1 - -
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 3 38 12.7 25 1 - -
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 3 28 9.3 18 0 - -
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 3 26 8.7 17 0 - -
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 - - - - - - -
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 7 106 15.1 26 0 - -
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 2 22 11.0 15 0 - -
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 1 47 47.0 47 1 - -
Game Log - Kicking
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score fgm fga lng xpm xpa pts
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 - - - - - 0
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 - - - - - 0
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 - - - - - 0
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 - - - - - 0
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 - - - - - 0
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 - - - - - 0
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 - - - - - 0
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 - - - - - 0
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 - - - - - 0
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 - - - - - 0
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 - - - - - 0
Game Log - Punting
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score punt yds avg long in20 fc tb blk
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 - - - - - - - -
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 - - - - - - - -
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 - - - - - - - -
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 - - - - - - - -
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 - - - - - - - -
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 - - - - - - - -
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 - - - - - - - -
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 - - - - - - - -
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 - - - - - - - -
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 - - - - - - - -
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 - - - - - - - -
Game Log - Returns
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score kr yds avg lng td pr yds avg lng td
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 - - - - - - - - - -
Game Log - All-Purpose
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score gp rush rcv pr kr yds
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 1 15 57 - - 72
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 1 - 37 - - 37
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 1 - 73 - - 73
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 1 4 140 - - 144
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 1 - 38 - - 38
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 1 9 28 - - 37
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 1 18 26 - - 44
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 1 - - - - 0
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 1 - 106 - - 106
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 1 - 22 - - 22
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 1 - 47 - - 47
Game Log - Scoring
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score pts rush rec kr pr int fum xpm fgm saf misc 2pt
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 0 0 0 - - - - - - - 0 -
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 0 - 0 - - - - - - - 0 -
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 0 - 0 - - - - - - - 0 -
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 6 0 1 - - - - - - - 0 -
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 6 - 1 - - - - - - - 0 -
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 0 0 0 - - - - - - - 0 -
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 0 0 0 - - - - - - - 0 -
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 -
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 0 - 0 - - - - - - - 0 -
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 0 - 0 - - - - - - - 0 -
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 6 - 1 - - - - - - - 0 -
Game Log - Defense
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score tack ast tot sack lost tfl yds ff fr td int yds td brup blk saf
Sep 2 at Samford L, 52-14 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 11 Furman L, 26-0 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 18 at Tennessee L, 56-0 1 0 1.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 25 Eastern Illinois L, 28-14 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 2 Southeast Missouri W, 28-17 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 9 at NC Central W, 27-16 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 16 at Tennessee State L, 20-13 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 23 Virginia-Lynchburg W, 56-13 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 6 at Murray State L, 32-27 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 13 UT Martin L, 42-3 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 20 at Austin Peay L, 48-20 0 1 1.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Career Stats - Passing
Statistic gp comp att pct yds y/g y/a td int lg effic
2019-20 8 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
2020-21 6 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
2021-22 11 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
2022-23 11 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
2023-24 1 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Total 37 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Career Stats - Rushing
Statistic gp rush yds y/g avg td lg fum lost
2019-20 8 3 -9 -1.1 -3.0 0 0 - -
2020-21 6 4 40 6.7 10.0 0 30 - -
2021-22 11 7 46 4.2 6.6 0 18 - -
2022-23 11 9 75 6.8 8.3 0 25 - -
2023-24 1 - - - - - - - -
Total 37 23 152 4.1 6.6 0 30 - -
Career Stats - Receiving
Statistic gp rec rec/g yds y/g avg td lg
2019-20 8 7 0.9 15 1.9 2.1 0 11
2020-21 6 23 3.8 255 42.5 11.1 1 35
2021-22 11 41 3.7 574 52.2 14.0 3 62
2022-23 11 20 1.8 175 15.9 8.8 1 24
2023-24 1 2 2.0 19 19.0 9.5 0 17
Total 37 93 2.5 1038 28.1 11.2 5 62
Career Stats - Kicking
Statistic gp fgm fga pct lg xpm xpa pct pts
2019-20 8 - - - - - - - 0
2020-21 6 - - - - - - - 0
2021-22 11 - - - - - - - 0
2022-23 11 - - - - - - - 0
2023-24 1 - - - - - - - 0
Total 37 - - - - - - - 0
Career Stats - Punting
Statistic gp punt yds avg lg in20 fc tb blk
2019-20 8 - - - - - - - -
2020-21 6 - - - - - - - -
2021-22 11 - - - - - - - -
2022-23 11 - - - - - - - -
2023-24 1 - - - - - - - -
Total 37 - - - - - - - -
Career Stats - Returns
Statistic kr yds avg td lg pr yds avg td lg
2019-20 - - - - - - - - - -
2020-21 - - - - - - - - - -
2021-22 - - - - - - - - - -
2022-23 - - - - - - - - - -
2023-24 - - - - - - - - - -
Total - - - - - - - - - -
Career Stats - All-Purpose
Statistic gp rush rcv pr kr yds ypg
2019-20 8 -9 15 - - 6 .8
2020-21 6 40 255 - - 295 49.2
2021-22 11 46 574 - - 620 56.4
2022-23 11 75 175 - - 250 22.7
2023-24 1 - 19 - - 19 19.0
Total 37 152 1038 - - 1190 32.2
Career Stats - Scoring
Statistic pts pts/g rush rec kr pr int fum xpm fgm 2pt misc
2019-20 0 0.0 0 0 - - - - - - - 0
2020-21 6 1.0 0 1 - - - - - - - 0
2021-22 18 1.6 0 3 - - - - - - - 0
2022-23 6 0.5 0 1 - - - - - - - 0
2023-24 0 0.0 - 0 - - - - - - - 0
Total 30 0.8 0 5 - - - - - - - 0
Career Stats - Defense
Statistic gp tkl ast tot tkl/g sck yds tfl yds ff fr yds int yds brup blk
2019-20 8 0 1 1.0 .1 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
2020-21 6 1 0 1.0 .2 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
2021-22 11 1 1 2.0 .2 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
2022-23 11 1 0 1.0 .1 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
2023-24 1 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Total 37 3 2 5.0 .1 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Split Stats - Passing
Statistic gp comp att pct yds y/g y/a td int lg effic
Event
Total 11 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Conference 6 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Exhibition - - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Location
Home 5 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Away 6 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Neutral - - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Result
Wins 3 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Losses 8 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Month
September 4 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
October 4 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
November 3 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Split Stats - Rushing
Statistic gp rush yds y/g avg td lg fum lost
Event
Total 11 7 46 4.2 6.6 0 18 - -
Conference 6 2 22 3.7 11.0 0 18 - -
Exhibition - - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 1 4 0.8 4.0 0 4 - -
Away 6 6 42 7.0 7.0 0 18 - -
Neutral - - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 3 4 9 3.0 2.3 0 5 - -
Losses 8 3 37 4.6 12.3 0 18 - -
Month
September 4 2 19 4.8 9.5 0 15 - -
October 4 5 27 6.8 5.4 0 18 - -
November 3 - - - - - - - -
Split Stats - Receiving
Statistic gp rec rec/g yds y/g avg td lg
Event
Total 11 41 3.7 574 52.2 14.0 3 62
Conference 6 23 3.8 379 63.2 16.5 3 62
Exhibition - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 14 2.8 237 47.4 16.9 2 62
Away 6 27 4.5 337 56.2 12.5 1 47
Neutral - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 3 6 2.0 66 22.0 11.0 1 25
Losses 8 35 4.4 508 63.5 14.5 2 62
Month
September 4 22 5.5 307 76.8 14.0 1 62
October 4 9 2.3 92 23.0 10.2 1 25
November 3 10 3.3 175 58.3 17.5 1 47
Split Stats - Kicking
Statistic gp fgm fga pct lg xpm xpa pct pts
Event
Total 11 - - - - - - - 0
Conference 6 - - - - - - - 0
Exhibition - - - - - - - - 0
Location
Home 5 - - - - - - - 0
Away 6 - - - - - - - 0
Neutral - - - - - - - - 0
Result
Wins 3 - - - - - - - 0
Losses 8 - - - - - - - 0
Month
September 4 - - - - - - - 0
October 4 - - - - - - - 0
November 3 - - - - - - - 0
Split Stats - Punting
Statistic gp punt yds avg lg in20 fc tb blk
Event
Total 11 - - - - - - - -
Conference 6 - - - - - - - -
Exhibition - - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 - - - - - - - -
Away 6 - - - - - - - -
Neutral - - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 3 - - - - - - - -
Losses 8 - - - - - - - -
Month
September 4 - - - - - - - -
October 4 - - - - - - - -
November 3 - - - - - - - -
Split Stats - Returns
Statistic kr yds avg td lg pr yds avg td lg
Event
Total - - - - - - - - - -
Conference - - - - - - - - - -
Exhibition - - - - - - - - - -
Location
Home - - - - - - - - - -
Away - - - - - - - - - -
Neutral - - - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins - - - - - - - - - -
Losses - - - - - - - - - -
Month
September - - - - - - - - - -
October - - - - - - - - - -
November - - - - - - - - - -
Split Stats - All-Purpose
Statistic gp rush rcv pr kr yds ypg
Event
Total 11 46 574 - - 620 56.4
Conference 6 22 379 - - 401 66.8
Exhibition - - - - - 0 -
Location
Home 5 4 237 - - 241 48.2
Away 6 42 337 - - 379 63.2
Neutral - - - - - 0 -
Result
Wins 3 9 66 - - 75 25.0
Losses 8 37 508 - - 545 68.1
Month
September 4 19 307 - - 326 81.5
October 4 27 92 - - 119 29.8
November 3 - 175 - - 175 58.3
Split Stats - Scoring
Statistic pts pts/g rush rec kr pr int fum xpm fgm 2pt misc
Event
Total 18 1.6 0 3 - - - - - - - 0
Conference 18 3.0 0 3 - - - - - - - 0
Exhibition 0 - - - - - - - - - - 0
Location
Home 12 2.4 0 2 - - - - - - - 0
Away 6 1.0 0 1 - - - - - - - 0
Neutral 0 - - - - - - - - - - 0
Result
Wins 6 2.0 0 1 - - - - - - - 0
Losses 12 1.5 0 2 - - - - - - - 0
Month
September 6 1.5 0 1 - - - - - - - 0
October 6 1.5 0 1 - - - - - - - 0
November 6 2.0 - 1 - - - - - - - 0
Split Stats - Defense
Statistic gp tkl ast tot tkl/g sck yds tfl yds ff fr yds int yds brup blk
Event
Total 11 1 1 2.0 .2 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Conference 6 0 1 1.0 .2 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Exhibition - - - 0.0 - - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Away 6 1 1 2.0 .3 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Neutral - - - 0.0 - - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 3 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Losses 8 1 1 2.0 .3 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Month
September 4 1 0 1.0 .3 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
October 4 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
November 3 0 1 1.0 .3 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
News mentions
Golden Eagles get eight on PhilSteele.com All-OVC teams
Golden Eagles get eight on PhilSteele.com All-OVC teams

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the 2021 football season is closing the books, another postseason squad was announced as Phil Steele.com announced its All-Ohio Valley Conference team. Tennessee Tech earned eight selections on its all-conference picks as senior defensive lineman Chris Tucker and freshman defensive lineman Devin Squires was named to the first-team roster, junior running back David Gist on the second team, sophomore wide receiver Quinton Cross, senior offensive lineman Kurt Huff, junior defensive back Josh Reliford and freshman returner Tanner Shiver on the third team and sophomore defensive lineman Kail Dava on the fourth team.

Tucker leads group of five Golden Eagles in all-OVC selections
Tucker leads group of five Golden Eagles in all-OVC selections

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Several Tennessee Tech football players put up big numbers in the 2021 season and their efforts were awarded Tuesday morning as the Ohio Valley Conference released its end-of-season team. In all, five Golden Eagles made the All-Ohio Valley Conference team as graduate defensive end Chris Tucker was named to the first-team defense, redshirt sophomore Quinton Cross, junior running back David Gist and graduate offensive lineman Kurt Huff were selected to the second-team offense and redshirt junior defensive back Josh Reliford was picked to the second-team defense.

Golden Eagles close out 2021 with loss at Austin Peay
Golden Eagles close out 2021 with loss at Austin Peay

CLARKSVILLE – As the final whistle blew on Saturday, it was the end of one of the longest stretches of competition for the Tennessee Tech football team. In the span of nine months, two seasons were completed, 18 games played. It was a gauntlet, a grueling one at that as the Golden Eagles had to battle injuries, illnesses but between February and Saturday’s November afternoon, they got 18 games in. It was certainly a feat to do it that took a lot of monumental efforts to get there. As the Golden Eagles took to the field on Saturday, those injuries and illnesses had taken their toll. With a few pieces missing from the lineup, the depleted Tech squad squared up with an Austin Peay squad that had been right in the mix for the Ohio Valley Conference race, including a narrow one-point loss to league champion UT Martin. Tech came out on Saturday determined to finish 2021 on a high note. The first two quarters, the Golden Eagles rallied from an early deficit to make it a one-possession game just before halftime, but Drae McCray’s monster night pushed Austin Peay out of reach, the Governors winning 48-20.

Golden Eagles look to close out 2021 with bookend wins over Governors
Golden Eagles look to close out 2021 with bookend wins over Governors

CLARKSVILLE – The Ohio Valley Conference football race is done, but there’s still pride on the line on Saturday as the Tennessee Tech football team heads to Clarksville to wrap up the 2021 season against Austin Peay. The Governors (5-5, 3-2 OVC) probably have Saturday’s contest circled as a revenge game after the Golden Eagles’ spoiled head coach Scotty Walden’s debut as APSU head coach. Kickoff from Fortera Stadium is set for a 2 p.m. start. Roger Ealey and Dylan Vazzano will provide the broadcast on 98.5 KISS FM, while Barry Gresham and Patton Cook will have the call on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Homecoming at Tech brings in Skyhawks Saturday
Homecoming at Tech brings in Skyhawks Saturday

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Homecoming on a college campus. It’s one of the most treasured traditions for any school. The leaves have turned various shades of red and orange with a cool, crisp air. Fans decked out in their team gear line the streets as the Homecoming parade marches down the street.  On Saturday, it’ll be Tennessee Tech’s turn for the pageantry as the Golden Eagles host their 90th Homecoming game, bringing in UT Martin for the annual affair.  Kickoff for the game is slated for 1:35 p.m. Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will provide the broadcast on 98.5 KISS FM, while Dylan Vazzano and Sam Brooks will handle the call on ESPN+ (subscription required). 

Late rally comes up short as Golden Eagles fall at Murray State
Late rally comes up short as Golden Eagles fall at Murray State

MURRAY, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech football team was able climb back to within five points of the Murray State Racers on Saturday, but the Golden Eagles weren’t able to close out the rally in the waning moments of the contest, the Racers taking a 32-27 victory over Tech. The Golden Eagles (3-6, 1-3 Ohio Valley Conference) will return home next Saturday for their home finale, Homecoming and Senior Day, hosting UT Martin. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Golden Eagles return to OVC play with trip to Murray State
Golden Eagles return to OVC play with trip to Murray State

MURRAY, Ky. – When the 2021 spring football season ended in April, things looked pretty optimistic for the Murray State Racers. After all, they finished second, just a game back from the departing Jacksonville State, posting a 5-2 record in league play after opening on a 5-0 run, then falling to Austin Peay and Jacksonville State in the final two games of the season.  As the new season opened in the fall, however, it was the trend started in those final two games that seems to have dominated most of this campaign as the Racers stand in the gates for Saturday’s contest with a 3-5 record in tow, winless in the Ohio Valley Conference.  Kickoff from Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray on Saturday is 1 p.m. Roger Ealey and Dylan Vazzano will provide the call on 98.5 KISS FM, while the Racer broadcast crew of Neal Bradley and Josh McKeel will tackle the ESPN+ stream (subscription required). 

Golden Eagles prepare to slay Dragons in Saturday showdown
Golden Eagles prepare to slay Dragons in Saturday showdown

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Sometimes a matchup is just a matter of perspective. When the Tennessee Tech football team traveled earlier this season to the University of Tennessee, it was the little brother taking on the bigger one, looking to make their names against some of the best of the best. Flash forward a few weeks and Virginia-Lynchburg preparing to come to Tucker Stadium for Saturday’s game. The visiting Dragons have played two Football Championship Subdivision teams this season with trips to Duquesne and Norfolk State, the Golden Eagles making the third. Everything the Dragons feel coming into the game on Saturday is what the Golden Eagles felt on Sept. 18 in Neyland Stadium. They’ll come into Cookeville, hungry for a win and ready to write a story they’ll remember for years to come.

Golden Eagles fall in overtime thriller
Golden Eagles fall in overtime thriller

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As tough as the interstate rivalry has been between Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State in recent years, it’s only fitting that Saturday’s contest at Nissan Stadium went down to the last play. After all, the two teams swapped scores throughout the contest, and as the Golden Eagles tried to hold on in regulation, the host Tigers scored with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Tigers scored a touchdown – Geremy Hickbottom completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Dayron Johnson – to put the pressure on Tech. The Golden Eagles had their chance, but it came down to one last play on 4th and goal at the Tiger 9. Under pressure, quarterback Willie Miller fired into traffic with a target there, but Cory Rahman intercepted the pass to end the contest. Tennessee State emerged victorious 20-13 in overtime.

Golden Eagles look to tame Tigers on Saturday
Golden Eagles look to tame Tigers on Saturday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the Tennessee Tech football team enters its third Ohio Valley Conference game of the Fall 2021 campaign, the Golden Eagles are right in the mix. As Saturday’s game against Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium stands on the horizon, the Golden Eagles presently stand in fourth place in the league standings – UT Martin and Eastern Illinois tied at 1-0, Southeast Missouri at 2-1 and the Golden Eagles at 1-1. Murray State, Tennessee State and Austin Peay are all looking for their first OVC wins of the season – in games that count in the league standings anyway as the other six league schools play fellow members multiple times, but only one counts in the OVC. With Tech traveling to the home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans for this week’s matchup, the Golden Eagles will try to ride the momentum of back-to-back wins into a full-blown winning streak with number three circled this weekend against the Tigers of Tennessee State.

Golden Eagle football hits the road to take on NC Central Saturday
Golden Eagle football hits the road to take on NC Central Saturday

DURHAM, N.C. – In the near-century that Tennessee Tech has been playing football, the Golden Eagles have seen a lot of different teams – 127, to be exact. On Saturday, they’ll add a 128th team to the all-time opponents section as Tech will make the trip to Durham, N.C., to take on the Eagles from North Carolina Central. The hosts enter the contest with a 2-3 record, still unblemished in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play as they don’t enter league play until next week with a visit to Morgan State. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles earned their first victory of the season last week with a 28-17 victory over Southeast Missouri to enter Saturday’s game with a 1-4 record, knotted 1-1 in the Ohio Valley.

Baker named honorable mention for STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week
Baker named honorable mention for STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – True freshman Jalon Baker had an incredible game for the Tennessee Tech football team on Saturday, helping to set up the Golden Eagles’ 28-17 win over Southeast Missouri.  His efforts were recognized on Monday as he was named an honorable mention for STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week as well as the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week by the College Sports Madness website. 

Second-half effort leads Tech to win over SEMO
Second-half effort leads Tech to win over SEMO

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- For David Gist, there must be something about playing against Southeast Missouri.  In his freshman campaign against the Redhawks in 2018, Gist ran for a then-career-high 108 yards and two touchdowns.  Saturday, against the 2021 edition of the SEMO squad, he outdid that, rushing for 133 total yards – a new career best – with two scores, while also adding 11 yards on three catches for 144 all-purpose yards in the contest as he led the Tech offense to a 28-17 victory over the Redhawks at Tucker Stadium. 

With progress brewing, Golden Eagles look for win Saturday vs. SEMO
With progress brewing, Golden Eagles look for win Saturday vs. SEMO

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With Southeast Missouri coming into town on Saturday for this week’s football game at Tucker Stadium, the Tennessee Tech squad is ready to end its current four-game slide. Through a rough stretch to open the 2021 campaign, there has been progress along the way. Now the Golden Eagles will try to apply that toward a victory on Saturday against the Redhawks. Kickoff is slated for 1:35 p.m. Central. Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will provide the call for 98.5 KISS FM, while Dylan Vazzano and Sam Brooks will handle broadcast duties on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Offense moves ball, but turnovers slow down Tech scoring vs. EIU
Offense moves ball, but turnovers slow down Tech scoring vs. EIU

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The fortunes for the Tennessee Tech football team shifted quickly on Saturday. As the Golden Eagles were going in for a potential game-tying score with just over eight minutes remaining, the ball got away and Bryce Dewberry returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. In a matter of seconds, the momentum shifted. Eastern Illinois held on to take a 28-14 victory over the Golden Eagles at Tucker Stadium.

Golden Eagles open OVC slate Saturday with visit from Eastern Illinois
Golden Eagles open OVC slate Saturday with visit from Eastern Illinois

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – When Tennessee Tech takes to the field on Saturday, the race for the Ohio Valley Conference championship will truly be underway.  The Golden Eagles kick off the OVC slate with a visit from Eastern Illinois. The game is set for a 1:35 p.m. kickoff.  Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will provide the radio call on 98.5 KISS FM, while Dylan Vazzano and Sam Brooks will handle the broadcast duties on ESPN+ (subscription required). 

Golden Eagles head to Knoxville to take on Volunteers Saturday
Golden Eagles head to Knoxville to take on Volunteers Saturday

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – These are the games that these guys dream about – running out of the tunnel at Neyland Stadium with nearly 100,000 screaming fans, taking on a team that many on the roster grew up watching every Saturday. As Tennessee Tech takes to Shields-Watkins Field on Saturday to take on their Football Bowl Subdivision brothers, the Tennessee Volunteers, the game probably means just as much to them – if not more -- than any other game they’ll play in their careers. While it’s only been five years since these two teams locked horns, it is a series that mostly saw its heyday in the late 1940s and ‘50s. In the six meetings, Tennessee has outscored Tech 297-20, including four shutouts in 1947, 1948, 1951 and 2016. However, as the game dawns on Saturday, that statistic is irrelevant. Saturday is about showing what they can do against some of the elite student-athletes in the country.

Golden Eagles fall in opener at Samford
Golden Eagles fall in opener at Samford

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford had Thursday night’s game circled on the calendar and it showed. Liam Welch proved why he’s in early contention for the Walter Peyton Award, throwing for 370 yards and four touchdowns as the Golden Eagles fell to the Bulldogs 52-14. In all, Samford (1-0) collected 475 yards of total offense, putting the 2019 defeat in Cookeville in the rearview mirror.

Golden Eagles open 2021 campaign Thursday at Samford
Golden Eagles open 2021 campaign Thursday at Samford

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – It’s been just four-and-a-half months since the Tennessee Tech football team last saw action on the gridiron in the spring. Not even 150 days have passed since the Golden Eagles were playing in a game that counted. As Thursday night arrives, it’ll be back to business as usual as Tech travels to Birmingham to take on the Samford Bulldogs.

Progress the word of the day at Gathering of Eagles
Progress the word of the day at Gathering of Eagles

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the Tennessee Tech football team concluded its final scrimmage of the fall at Saturday's Gathering of Eagles event, it certainly wasn’t perfect or pretty. But the important p-word was progress. In just a week’s time since the previous outing on the Tucker Stadium turf, things had improved on both sides of the ball.

Defense leads highlights at first scrimmage
Defense leads highlights at first scrimmage

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Mother Nature may have shortened Tennessee Tech’s first scrimmage, but there was no question it was still a productive one for the Golden Eagles on Saturday. A lightning delay with another developing system behind it forced the day to end after 65 plays, but there was still time to get every group some reps across the 90-minute time.

Golden Eagles optimistic about 2021 at OVC Football Media Day
Golden Eagles optimistic about 2021 at OVC Football Media Day

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the fall football season draws near, it was a step back towards things being back to normal as the Ohio Valley Conference football coaches and student-athletes came together for the league’s annual Football Media Day. Well, almost normal. This year’s event continued to be held virtually across Zoom, so tiny boxes of coaches, student-athletes, reporters and sports information directors continued to be the norm for the time being.