No. 9 Tennessee Tech Hosts Western Illinois for OVC-Big South Clash

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Media Relations 

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – No. 9 Tennessee Tech football has opened the season 4-0 for the sixth time in program history, marking the program's best record to begin a season since 1977. Tech's defense kept Tennessee State out of the end zone during a 35-8 victory to open conference play 1-0. This week, the Golden Eagles welcome the Leathernecks from Western Illinois to Tucker Stadium.

The Golden Eagles and the Leathernecks meet on the football field for the fourth time in series history, with WIU holding a 2-1 advantage in the series. Tech's last loss before its current nine-game winning streak, which marks the longest active winning streak in FCS, came in 2024 against Western Illinois (L, 37-21) on the road. Since that defeat, the Golden Eagles finished the 2024 season on a five-game winning streak and have opened the 2025 campaign 4-0.

Tennessee Tech vs. Western Illinois | Game Notes

Tennessee Tech has scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the game in each of the first four games this season, averaging a nation's best 54.3 points per game. The Golden Eagles are second in the nation in rushing offense, averaging an impressive 272 yards on the ground per game. Tech is one of the most efficient passing teams in the country, sitting at No. 12 nationally in that category (167.47).

QB Kekoa Visperas has led the program with a steady hand, sitting 24th nationally in completion percentage (67-101, 66.7). He is tied for seventh nationally in passing touchdowns (9).

The Golden Eagles have been stingy defensively, boasting the nation's No. 1 rush defense, allowing just 53.0 yards on the ground per game. Tech has held opponents to just 9.8 points per game, marking the third-best scoring defense in the nation, and the fourth-best total defense, allowing 218.5 total yards per game. The Golden Eagles average more points per game (54.3) than rushing yards allowed per game (53.0).

Tennessee Tech is tied for sixth nationally in turnovers forced with eight through four games.

Tech hosts Western Illinois for its OVC-Big South home opener with a kickoff at 12 p.m. CT on Saturday. Oct. 4. The game can be watched on ESPN+ with Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Sam Brooks (Analyst) on the call, and listened to on 106.1 The Eagle with Noah McKay (PxP), Justin Matheney (Analyst), and Jacob Vinson (Analyst) making up the crew.

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GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Matchup: No. 9 Tennessee Tech (4-0, 1-0) vs. Western Illinois (1-4, 0-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 12 p.m. CT
Venue: Tucker Stadium
Location: Cookeville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN+ - Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Sam Brooks (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle – Noah McKay (PxP), Justin Matheney (Analyst), and Jacob Vinson (Sideline)

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1st – Tech has the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation among FCS teams (54.3 ppg)
• 2nd – Tech averages 272 rushing yards per game, the 2nd most in the nation.
• 4-0: The Golden Eagles opened a season 4-0 for the first time since 1977
• 3rd – Tennessee Tech has the No. 3 scoring defense in FCS, allowing 9.8 points per game.
• 3rd – The Golden Eagles have the No. 3 total defense in the nation, allowing just 194.7 yards per game.
• 9 – The Golden Eagles hold the longest active winning streak in FCS (9 games)
• No. 9 – The AFCA Coaches Poll selecting Tech No. 9 is the highest ranking in FCS/DI AA program history.
• 35 – The Golden Eagles have scored 35-plus points in four games this season.
• 72 – 72 points against Davidson marks the most points scored by Tech in the modern era (since 1928).

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee Tech trails Western Illinois 2-1 in the all-time series with the most recent result in 2024 going the way of the Leathernecks, 37-21 in Macomb, Illinois. Since the loss to WIU, Tech has won nine straight games matching the longest winning streak in program history and representing the longest active winning streak in FCS history.

LAST GAME: The No. 11 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles opened OVC-Big South Conference play with a 35-8 win over Tennessee State last Saturday. The rushing attack was unstoppable as the Golden Eagles ran for 281 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to win their third straight against Tennessee State, 35-8. Tech has tied a program record with nine straight wins and owns the longest active winning streak in FCS. RB Quintell Quinn led the way in the ground game with 107 yards and one touchdown on seven rushes. Tailback Q'Daryius Jennings rushes for 71 yards and one touchdown on six carries. Running back Obie Sanni came on late and rushed seven times for 59 yards, and Aidan Littles added one rushing touchdown alongside 20 yards on nine carries. Tech's defense was all over the Tigers, creating four turnovers (3 interceptions, 1 fumble), led by a 94-yard interception return for a touchdown by Andrew Smith.  It is the second straight game with a pick six for the Golden Eagles' defense that held Tennessee State to 49 yards rushing and 241 yards passing. Tech's defense limited TSU to 4.0 yards per play and forced four punts.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Golden Eagles scored on their first offensive drive for the fourth consecutive game after Quinn broke away for a 67-yard touchdown. Tech unrelented with a receiving grab by Noah Robinson and a touchdown rush by Q'Daryius Jennings, giving the Golden Eagles a 21-0 lead at the halftime break. Tennessee Tech scored 35 unanswered points with a one-yard touchdown rush by Aidan Littles and the 94-yard interception return for a TD by Smith to pull away 35-8. Robinson led all receivers with 86 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Brian Courtney and Tyler Nix were the only other Golden Eagles to make a reception.

2024 vs. 2025: The Golden Eagles have taken a large step forward in major statistical categories from 2024 to 2025.

GOLDEN MILESTONES: The Golden Eagles have started 4-0 for the sixth time in program history (1952, 1953, 1955, 1971, 1977, and 2025). Tech opened the 1977 campaign with eight straight wins and finished 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles won its third straight game over Tennessee State to open OVC-Big South play. Tech has won nine straight games, marking the longest active winning streak in FCS and tying for the longest winning streak in program history. Tennessee Tech enters today's contest ranked No. 9 by the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 11 by the StatsPerform Top 25. The No. 9 ranking is the highest in FCS/DI AA program history.

Program Rankings All-Time
College Division Era (1958-1974)
1960                      UPI (10/6, No. 14; 10/27, No. 20; 11/17, No. 19)
1963                      UPI (10/2, No. 13; 10/9, No. 11)
1971                      AP (9/22, No. 20)
                             UPI (11/3, No. 19) 1972
                              UPI (Preseason, No. 21; 9/13, No. 11; 9/27, No. 18; 10/25, No. 16; 11/1, No. 11; 11/8, No. 8; 11/15, No. 8; 11/22, No. 8

Division II Era (1975-1977)
1976                      AP (10/20, No. 9; 10/27, No. 6)
1977                      AP (9/21, No. 10; 9/28, No. 7; 10/5, No. 11; 10/12, No. 9; 10/19, No. 7; 10/26, No. 6; 11/2, T-No. 3; 11/9, No. 7)

Division I-AA (1978-2005)
1990                      1-AA (10/16, No. 18; 10/23, No. 18)
1993                      1-AA (11/17, No. 24; 11/24, No. 22; 12/1, No. 22)
1994                      TSN (Preseason, No. 18; 9/7, No. 16; 9/14, No. 18; 9/21, No. 16; 9/28, No. 11; 10/5, No. 20)
1999                      TSN (10/26, No. 23)
2000                      TSN (11/14, No. 24; 11/21, No. 22; Final, No. 22)
2001                     TSN (11/20, No. 23; 11/27, No. 23; Final, No. 23)

Football Championship Subdivision (2006-present)
2011                     TSN (10/3, No. 23; 10/10, No. 19; 10/24, No. 25; 10/31, No. 20; 11/14, No. 23)
                            FCS Coaches (10/3, No. 23; 10/10, No. 19; 10/17, No. 23; 10/24, No. 19; 10/31, No. 15; 11/7, No. 20; 11/14, No. 21; 11/21, No. 20)
2020-21                STATS Perform (2/22, No. 23)
2025                     StatsPerform (9/6, No. 17, 9/13, No. 15, 9/27, No. 13)
                             AFCA Coaches Poll (9/6, No. 20, 9/13, No. 16, 9/27, No. 11)

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. With 35 points against TSU, the Golden Eagles have scored 217 total points, marking the most scored through four games in modern program history since 1977.

LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK IN FCS: Tech currently holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (9 games), tying the longest single-season winning streak in program history (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.

DOMINANT DEFENSE: The Golden Eagles' defense went another week without allowing a touchdown to the opposing teams' offense, surrendering just eight points against Tennessee State last week. Tech has allowed just four touchdowns in four games and have held its opponent under 20 points in each of those contests. The Golden Eagles are second nationally in yards allowed per play, surrendering just 3.40 yards on each play to the opposition. Tech is fourth nationally in total yards allowed per game, surrendering just 218.4 total yards per contest.

FLY EAGLES FLY: Tech's offense is one of the prolific in the country, leading the nation in scoring offense (54.3 ppg), sitting at No. 4 in total offense, averaging 510.8 yards per game; 2nd in rushing offense (272.0), No. 12 in team passing efficiency (167.47), and No. 34 in passing offense (238.8). The Golden Eagles are No. 13 in red zone offense, converting 93.8% of the time.

More national rankings can be found below.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE NATIONAL RANKINGS (FCS Through Games 9/27/25)
No. 1     Scoring Offense (54.3)
No. 1     Rushing Defense (53.0)
No. 2     Rushing Offense (272.0)
No. 3     Scoring Defense (9.8)
No. 4     Total Offense (510.8)
No. 4     Total Defense (218.5)
No. 8     Passing Defense (94.10)
No. 12    Passing Efficiency (167.47)

IN THE RANKINGS: The Golden Eagles are No. 9 in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Poll and No. 11 in the StatsPerform FCS Top 25. The No. 9 ranking is the highest in the program's FCS/DI history, since joining the ranks in 1978. The last time the program was ranked in the Top 10 by any poll was during the DII era (1975-77).

Rk          School                                          1sts      Rec          Pts
1             North Dakota State                       51         4-0         1,395
2             South Dakota State                       4           4-0         1,342
3             Tarleton State                               1           5-0         1,271
4             Montana                                                   4-0         1,217
5             Montana State                                           3-2         1,203
6             Illinois State                                              3-1         982
7             UC Davis                                                   3-1         979
8             Rhode Island                                             4-1         974
9             Lehigh                                                      5-0         915
10           Southern Illinois                                        3-1         874
11           Tennessee Tech                                      4-0         826
12           Idaho                                                       2-3         765
13           Northern Arizona                                      4-1         708
14           Monmouth                                                3-1         680
15           North Dakota                                            2-2         668
16           West Georgia                                            5-0         566
17           Jackson State                                            3-1         422
18           Villanova                                                   2-2         336
19           Abilene Christian                                       2-3         298
20           Lamar                                                      3-1         285
21           South Dakota                                            2-3         245
22           Austin Peay                                               3-2         241
23           Presbyterian                                             5-0         208
24           Youngstown State                                     3-1         190
25.         Harvard                                                    2-0         163

Dropped Out of Top 25: Sacramento State (21)

Others Receiving Votes (schools listed on two or more ballots): Mercer (3-1, 3-0 SoCon): 126; UIW (2-3, 0-1 Southland): 121; Stephen F. Austin (3-2, 1-0): 48; Sacramento State (2-3, 0-1 Big Sky): 31; Richmond (3-2, 0-1 Patriot): 29; Dartmouth (2-0): 25; Gardner-Webb (2-2): 20; New Hampshire (3-2, 1-0 CAA): 13; Yale (2-0, 1-0 Ivy): 10; North Carolina Central (4-2): 7

Rk          School                                          1sts      Rec       Pts
1             North Dakota State                        25        4-0         649
2             South Dakota State                       1          4-0         623
3             Tarleton State                                          5-0         595
4             Montana                                                  4-0         566
5             Montana State                                         3-2         529
6             Illinois State                                            3-1         512
7             UC Davis                                                 3-1         441
8             Lehigh                                                    5-0         430
9             Tennessee Tech                                     4-0         426
10           Rhode Island                                           4-1         406
11           Southern Illinois                                      3-1         376
12           Monmouth (N.J.)                                     3-1         322
13           Northern Arizona                                     4-1         301
14           North Dakota                                          2-2         284
15           Idaho                                                     2-3         249
16           West Georgia                                          5-0         246
17           Jackson State                                         3-1         224
18           Youngstown State                                   3-1         205
19           Villanova                                                2-2         150
20           UIW                                                       2-3         132
21           Austin Peay                                            3-2         131
22           Mercer                                                   3-1         126
23           Abilene Christian                                    2-3         111
24           Presbyterian                                          5-0         98
25           Lamar                                                   3-1         73

Dropped Out of Top 25: South Dakota (18), Sacramento St. (21)

Others Receiving Votes:  South Dakota, 48; Southeastern Louisiana, 33; Harvard, 28; Furman, 27; Dartmouth, 20; Sacramento St., 17; Alabama St., 11; Gardner-Webb, 11; Stephen F. Austin, 11; Yale, 8; North Carolina Central, 6; Richmond, 6; Stony Brook, 6; Western Carolina, 4; Cal Poly, 3; New Hampshire, 3; San Diego, 2; East Tennessee St., 1.

OVC-BIG SOUTH PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Tennessee Tech has had three OVC-Big South Player of the Week selections through four 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 had three players selected to weekly honors in three straight 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

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).

THE SERGEANT YORK TROPHY: The Golden Eagles began 1-0 in this year's Sr. York Trophy series with a 35-8 win over Tennessee State (9/27). 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

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's time, 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.