No. 11 Tech Football Opens OVC-Big South Play at Tennessee State

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Media Relations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 11 Tennessee Tech Football has raced off to its best start since 1977, going 3-0 to begin the season and climbing to its highest ranking since joining the FCS. The Golden Eagles look to open a season 4-0 for the sixth time in program history, as they travel to Tennessee State for the first OVC-Big South Conference game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. CT.  

The Golden Eagles and the Tigers meet on the football field for the 39th time in series history, with Tennessee State holding a 22-16 advantage. Tech enters Saturday's contest on an eight-game winning streak, marking the longest active winning streak in FCS.

Tennessee Tech has scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the game in each of the first three games played so far this season, averaging a nation-best 60.7 points per game. The Golden Eagles scored on four straight drives against Davidson prior to allowing a score. Tech has the nation's No. 1 scoring offense, No. 3 total offense and rushing offense, and No. 12 passing offense. 

The Golden Eagles have been stingy defensively, boasting the nation's No. 2 rushing defense, allowing just 58.0 yards on the ground per game, No. 3 total defense, allowing just 194.7 yards per game, and No. 7 scoring defense, holding opponents to 10.3 points per contest.

Tech hits the road for the first time this season, with a rivalry contest against Tennessee State to kick off at 3:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. Sept. 27. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and listened to live on 106.1 The Eagle with Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (analyst) on the call.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Matchup: No. 11 Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State
Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Nissan Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN+ - Dan Lang (PxP) and Dean Cokinos (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle – Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1st – Tech has the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation among FCS teams (60.7 ppg)
• 3-0: The Golden Eagles opened a season 3-0 for the first time since 1977
• 3rd – Tennessee Tech has the No. 3 scoring defense in FCS, allowing 10.3 points per game.
• 3rd – Tech averages 269.0 rushing yards per game, which is tied for 3rd in the FCS.
• 3rd – The Golden Eagles have the No. 3 total defense in the nation, allowing just 194.7 yards per game.
• 8 – The Golden Eagles hold the longest active winning streak in FCS (8 games)
• 72 – 72 points against Davidson marks the most points scored by Tech in the modern era (since 1928).

SERIES HISTORY
Tennessee Tech is 16-22 all-time against Tennessee State, dating back to the first matchup in 1984. Most recently, Tech opened OVC/Big South play in 2024 with a 24-14 win over Tennessee State. The Golden Eagles were led offensively by Obie Sanni, who rushed for 75 yards and one touchdown on just six carries. In the 2024 victory, the Golden Eagles sacked then QB Draylen Ellis seven times and held the Tigers to zero rushing yards. DB Ty Moss sealed the victory with a 56-yard interception return for a touchdown with just over a minute remaining.

THE SERGEANT YORK TROPHY
This year marks the 19th year of the Sgt. York Championship presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee. The trophy (founded in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council and OVC) goes to the winner of the season football series between the three OVC football-playing schools located in the state of Tennessee (Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, and UT Martin). The award is only the second traveling trophy that involves more than two teams in college sports; the other is the Commander in Chief's Trophy, which has been contested between Air Force, Army, and Navy annually since 1972. The award is named in honor of Alvin C. York, the most noted Soldier of World War I. As a corporal in the 2nd battalion, 328th Infantry, in the Battle of the Meuse River-Argonne (Oct. 8, 1918), York and seven other soldiers captured 132 prisoners, was promoted to sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy and the War Medal of Montenegro. Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor. The trophy goes to the team with the best record against the other schools (in case of a tie there will be co-champions and the actual trophy will be retained by the defending champion if they are involved in the tie or if the defending champion is not involved in the tie it will go to the institution that has gone the most seasons without winning the trophy). 

THE SERGEANT YORK TROPHY WINNERS
2007 - Tennessee State*, Austin Peay
2008 - Tennessee State
2009 - Tennessee Tech
2010 - UT Martin
2011 - Tennessee State*, Tennessee Tech
2012 - Tennessee State*, UT Martin
2013 - Tennessee State
2014 - UT Martin
2015 - UT Martin
2016 - UT Martin*, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State
2017 - Austin Peay
2018 - Austin Peay*, Tennessee State, UT Martin
2019 - Austin Peay*, Tennessee State, UT Martin
2020-21 - Tennessee Tech*, UT Martin
2021 - UT Martin 2022 - UT Martin
2023 - UT Martin
2024 - Tennessee Tech *Took home the trophy due to winning the tiebreaker

LAST GAME
Tennessee Tech football rolled to a 72-14 win over Davidson on Saturday (9/13) at Tucker Stadium. Golden Eagles start season 3-0 for the first time since 1977, and set single-game modern program record with 72 points. The Golden Eagles (3-0) dominated the Davidson Wildcats (0-3) by a single-game modern era program record 72 points, improving to 3-0 for the first time since 1977. Kekoa Visperas completed 23-of-32 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 59 yards and an additional two touchdowns to finish with five total touchdowns today. Visperas has thrown eight touchdowns with only one interception through three games. The redshirt senior from Eatonville, Washington, has completed 68.2% of his passes (58-85) for 736 yards, averaging 245.3 yards per game. Quintell Quinn was dominant in the run game, rushing for 122 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13.6 yards per carry on nine carries. Quinn leads the team with 242 rushing yards and is tied with Q'Daryius Jennings for the team lead with four rushing touchdowns. Jennings rushed for 75 yards and one touchdown on eight carries, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. In all, the Golden Eagles rushed for five touchdowns and a season-high 308 yards. The passing game, led by Visperas, threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Through the air, Maury Sullivan led the Golden Eagles in receiving with 78 yards on seven receptions. Noah Robinson reeled in a touchdown reception and made four catches for 52 yards. Other noteworthy receiving performances include Brian Courtney pulling in his first touchdown of the season and Luke Shields catching his second touchdown in as many games. Tennessee Tech threw for 268 total yards and has posted over 510 total yards of offense in all three games. Game 1 vs. Cumberland (570 yards), Game 2 vs. Chattanooga (513), and Game 3 vs. Davidson (576).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Tech opened the scoring with touchdowns on four straight drives, which went unanswered by Davidson, pushing the lead to 28-0 through one quarter. Quinn rushed for a 41-yard touchdown, Visperas rushed for a 17-yard touchdown, Robinson made a four-yard TD reception from Visperas to cap a seven-play 35-yard drive, and Courtney reeled in a 31-yard pass from Visperas to make the score 28-0. In the second quarter, Davidson got on the board with an 18-yard TD pass to WR Ivan Hoyt from QB Coulter Cleland, cutting the Golden Eagles' advantage to 28-7. Dom LeBlanc capped an 11-play 51-yard drive with a career-long 47-yard field goal to extend the advantage to 31-7 with 3:13 left in the second. Davidson responded once again with a touchdown following a fumble by the Golden Eagles. WR Brody Reina pulled in a 19-yard touchdown from Cleland, cutting the deficit to 31-17. For the remainder of the game, the Golden Eagles didn't take their foot off the gas. Visperas scampered into the end zone for the second time on a seven-yard rush to extend the lead to 38-14. Theron Gaines stepped in front of a pass from Cleland and took it 60 yards to the house for a touchdown with one second left in the first half, and Tech went into the halftime break up 45-14. Jennings rushed for a 21-yard touchdown, Shields made his second touchdown grab of the season, Quinn broke away for a 33-yard rushing score, and Zion Tamaska forced his way into the end zone from one yard out to put the game away, 72-14. Tech scored 41 unanswered points in the second half to pull away and improve to 3-0 for the first time since 1977.

2024 vs. 2025 
The Golden Eagles have taken a noticeable leap forward in most major statistical categories from 2024 to 2025. In 2024, Tech Ranked 87th in total offense (327.5), 41st in rushing offense (165.3), 103rd in passing offense (162.3), 103rd in team passing efficiency (111.52), 70th in scoring offense (24.0 ppg), 30th in total defense (330.4), 26th in scoring defense (21.8), and 39th in red zone offense. Through three games during the 2025 season, the Golden Eagles have risen to 3rd in total offense (553.0), 3rd in rushing offense (269.0), 12th in passing offense (284.0), 9th in team passing efficiency (173.69), 1st in scoring offense (60.7 ppg), 3rd in total defense (194.7), 2nd in rushing defense (58.0), 6th in scoring defense, and tied for 18th in red zone offense (93.3%). This has led to one of the best starts in program history with one of the nation's best teams. 

GOLDEN MILESTONES
The Golden Eagles look to start a season 4-0 for the sixth time in program history (1952, 1953, 1955, 1971 and 1977). Tech opened the 1977 campaign with eight straight wins and finished 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles open OVC-Big South Conference play against Tennessee State for the second consecutive season.

SCOARING EAGLES
The Tennessee Tech offense has scored more points than any team in program history through the first three games of a season (182 points). It marks the first time breaking the 100-plus point mark since 2007 (124) and the most since that season.

LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK IN FCS
Tech currently holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (8 games). The longest single-season winning streak in program history is 9 games in 1972. For perspective, North Dakota State holds the longest winning streak in FCS history, 39 games from 2017 to 2020. The longest winning streak in OVC history was 18 wins by Eastern Kentucky from 1982-83.

SENIOR LEADER 
QB Kekoa Visperas is 18th in the nation with 245.33 yards passing per game, throwing eight touchdowns and one interception through three games. The redshirt senior transfer from Eastern Washington led the nation in completion percentage in 2024 (74.3%). Visperas leads the nation's top-scoring offense, averaging 60.7 points per game. Tech has recorded over 500 total yards of offense in all three games played this year. The 576 total yards of offense against Davidson (9/13) are a season high for the Golden Eagles.

OVC-BIG SOUTH PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Tennessee Tech has had three OVC-Big South Player of the Week selections through three games played. QB Kekoa Visperas was the most recent selection as OVC-Big South Offensive Player of the Week after completing 23-of-32 passes (71.9%) for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Visperas also rushed for 59 yards and three touchdowns, giving him five total touchdowns in the 72-14 win over Davidson. The Golden Eagles have had three players selected for weekly honors in consecutive weeks for the first time under Head Coach Bobby Wilder.

OVC-Big South Players of the Week
Week                    Player                                             Honor                                          
1                          Tre' Holloway                                   Special Teams Player of the Week
2                          Theron Gaines                                 Co-Defensive Player of the Week
3                          Kekoa Visperas                                Offensive Player of the Week

DOMINANT DEFENSE
The Golden Eagles' defense allowed 31 points in three games (10.3 papg), 17 surrendered against Chattanooga in the 45-17 win (2-0) and 14 allowed against Davidson (W, 72-14). The Golden Eagles boast the No. 2 rushing defense in the nation, allowing 269.0 yards per game, the No. 3 scoring defense in the country, and the No. 3 total defense (194.7), No. 7 in scoring defense (10.5 pts per game), No. 7 passing defense, allowing 136.7 yards per game. All three games have produced balanced efforts offensively for Tennessee Tech, recording 513 total yards of offense (221 rush, 292 pass) and holding Chattanooga to 274 total yards (25 rush, 249 pass), notching another complete performance against an opponent knocking on the door of the FCS Top 25. The 25 rushing yards by Chattanooga were the fewest allowed since the Golden Eagles surrendered zero yards to Tennessee State in 2024. In the third game of the season, Tech held Davidson to 206 total yards, averaging just 3.61 yards per play and managing only 74 yards on the ground. The Golden Eagles have held each of their first three opponents to fewer than 100 yards on the ground. 

FLY EAGLES FLY
Tech's offense is one of the prolific in the country, leading the nation in scoring offense (60.7 ppg), sitting at No. 3 in total offense, averaging 553.0 yards per game; 3rd in rushing offense, averaging 269.0 yards per game.

More national rankings can be found below.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE NATIONAL RANKINGS (FCS Thru Week 4)
No. 1     Scoring Offense (60.7)
No. 2     Rushing Defense (58.0)
No. 2     Rushing Offense (269.0)
No. 3     Total Defense (194.7)
No. 3     Total Offense (553.0)
No. 3     Total Offense (553.0)
No. 7     Scoring Defense (10.3)
No. 7     Passing Defense (136.7)

IN THE RANKINGS
The Golden Eagles are No. 11 in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Poll and No. 13 in the StatsPerform FCS Top 25. The No. 11 ranking is the highest since joining the FCS in 2006 and the highest ranking in any poll since 1994, when the Golden Eagles were ranked No. 11 by the TSN Poll on Sept. 28.

NEW EAGLES IN THE NEST
There are a lot of new faces on the Golden Eagle lineup as head coach Bobby Wilder has used the transfer portal to Tech's advantage, bringing in a lot of talent – not just on the field, but off with 32 total players on the roster with degrees – with experienced student-athletes. Behind center, quarterback Kekoa Visperas is an exciting addition to the lineup after a fantastic season at Eastern Washington last year, where he had the nation's best completion percentage at 74.3, throwing for 2,171 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for nine more scores. D.J. Linkins and Tremel Jones return for another tour of duty on the receivers core, but will be joined by Robert Morris transfer Noah Robinson, who was an All-OVC/Big South selection with the Colonials. Aidan Littles had a breakout season last year at running back and will be teamed with Murray State transfer Q'Daryius Jennings.  On defense, the Golden Eagles were dealt a blow with the departures of defensive lineman Daniel Rickert and cornerback Caldra Williford following the spring workouts, but Tech has incredible depth on defense with Tim Coutras, Omari Philyaw, Toby Bolton and Leon Thomas anchoring the secondary, Aaron Swafford and Theron Gaines at linebacker, Jalin Shephard at nickel and a strong defensive front with Xavier Randolph, Jeremiah Sandiford, Kanstin Brooks, Maurice LaPierre, A.J. Crawford, Tyler Swann, Chima Iwuagwu and Idris King. On special teams, Jones, who the OVC-Big South recognized as a punt returner, kick returner, and all-purpose player, will be a big weapon for the Golden Eagles on returns, while Dom LeBlanc returns as kicker and Spencer Ashby on punts.

STATE 16
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles have 41 players on their roster from the great state of Tennessee. Clayton Harris (DL), Tayton Swift (DB), Timothy Jones (DB), Jay'un Smith (DB), Mason Goree (DB), Alex Delk (OL), Wes Delk (OL), Thomas Johnson (DB), Mason Taylor (DB), Branson Turnbow (WR), Aaron Swafford (LB), Kade Butler (QB), D.J. Curll (LB), Dom Reed (LB), Luke Meyer (DL), Torin Baker (RB), Tyler Nix (TE), Jameson Wharton (DB), Robbie Jacobs (WR), Seth Vaughn (DL), Keilan Harris (LB), Aja Jones (WR), Xavier Randolph (DL), Cameron Booker (WR), Theron Gaines (DL), Armaan Lehal (OL), Ethan McLaurin (DL), Eric Taylor (DB), Richard Bryant (DB), Derrick Burroughs (DB), D'Arious Reed (WR), Tim Coutras (DB), Zion Tamaska (RB), Coby Walton (QB), Xavier Hickman (DL), Nick Owns Jr. (WR), Aidan Littles (RB), Isaac Knowles (WR), Isaac Jackson (RB), C.J. Wyller (DL), Tucker Kyne (TE).

PICKED FIRST IN THE OVC-BIG SOUTH
The Tennessee Tech football team made some incredible strides last season under the direction of head coach Bobby Wilder as the Golden Eagles claimed their 11th Ohio Valley Conference championship among a four-way tie. This season, the Golden Eagles are looking for more, and the OVC-Big South coaches agree, knowing the potential is there as Tech was picked first in the combined conferences' preseason poll on Wednesday. The pick is a huge indicator of growth in just a year, but Wilder isn't content to rest on the preseason laurels. The first-place projection is also the first time since 1978 that the Golden Eagles find themselves atop the OVC preseason projection. Tech was projected second in 2001 and third in 1993 and 1994.

PRESEASON WATCH LISTS
Tim Coutras - Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, OVC/Big South Defensive Player of the Year.
Tremel Jones – OVC/Big South Kick returner/all-purpose player and punt returner.

OVC PRESEASON DEFENSIVE WATCH LIST
Hudson Tucker (DL)
Aaron Swafford (LB)
Tim Coutras (DB)
Spencer Ashby (P)
Tremel Jones (KR/PR)

OVC PRESEASON OFFENSIVE WATCH LIST
Kekoa Visperas (QB)
Aidan Littles (RB)
Noah Robinson (WR)
Brian Courtney (TE)
Drew Wilder (OL)
Tremel Jones (All-purpose)
Dom LeBlanc (PK) 

GOLDEN EAGLE FOOTBALL HOME TIMES ADJUSTED TO NOON
Progress is being made on the new Tucker Stadium on the Tennessee Tech campus, continuing the spirit of growth and renewal at the University. However, as the construction project continues, the start times for all Tennessee Tech home football games have been adjusted to 12 PM Central starts, with the first six home contests now scheduled to begin at earlier times. The season finale against UT Martin will remain at its originally scheduled noon kickoff. The reasoning is simple – with the construction project continuing and lights being taken down around the facility for the duration of the build, this will allow fans ample time to cheer on the Golden Eagle football team and exit the facility before sunset, keeping them safe as they enter and exit the stadium. Tech was picked first last week in the Ohio Valley Conference/Big South Conference Projected Order of Finish after ending the 2024 campaign in a tie for first place for their 11th league championship in program history. The Golden Eagles open the season on August 30 against Cumberland for the first of seven home games this season at Tucker Stadium as Tech looks to win the OVC-Big South title outright.

SEVEN HOME GAMES HIGHLIGHT 2025 TECH FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Tech Football hosts in-state foe Chattanooga on Sept. 6. Tech last played the Mocs in 2018 in Dewayne Alexander's debut as head coach. The last time the Mocs came to Cookeville was in the 2014 season. A first-time foe for the Golden Eagles will visit Tucker Stadium on Sept. 13 as Davidson, out of the Pioneer League, will take on Tech. Davidson went 6-5 last season, including a 4-4 mark in the Pioneer. Following the bye on Sept. 20, Tech will open Ohio Valley Conference-Big South Football Association play on Sept. 27 at Tennessee State. In October, Tech's slate includes a visit from Western Illinois (Oct. 4), two straight weeks on the road at Charleston Southern (Oct. 11) and Lindenwood (Oct. 18), then back home for a contest against Southeast Missouri (Oct. 25). November opens with the annual Homecoming game with Gardner-Webb (Nov. 1), then the final road swing of the season begins with a conference trip to Eastern Illinois before going to Lexington to take on Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky on Nov. 15. That game marks the first meeting with the Wildcats since the 1951 season. Tech closes out 2025's regular-season schedule at home as the Golden Eagles host UT Martin on Nov. 22. Game times and other special events will be announced at a later date.