No. 7 Golden Eagles Continue OVC-Big South Play at Charleston Southern

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Media Relations

CHARLESTON, S.C. – No. 7 Tennessee Tech football is 5-0 for the third time in program history, and leaves the state of Tennessee for the first time with a Week 7 matchup against Charleston Southern (1-5, 0-2) at Buccaneer Field in Charleston, S.C.

The Golden Eagles and the Buccaneers match up for the second time in series history after Tech won the first meeting 28-23 in 2024. Tech held off a second-half comeback from Charleston Southern after leading 19-7 at the half. CSU outscored Tech 16-9 in the second half, but the Golden Eagles held on to the five-point win to move to 1-0 in the series. D.J. Linkins led the Golden Eagles with 106 yards receiving and one touchdown. Jalen Mitchell rushed for 94 yards on 15 carries. Tremel Jones rushed for one touchdown and caught another TD. Aaron Swafford led the way with 11 tackles (3 solo, 8 assists) in the win.

Tennessee Tech vs. Charleston Southern | Game Notes

Tennessee Tech has scored points on the opening drive of the game in each of the first five games this season. Last game against Western Illinois (10/4), the Golden Eagles settled for a field goal on their opening offensive possession, marking the first time this season that the team did not score a touchdown on their first drive.

Tech is averaging a nation's best 56.6 points per game. The Golden Eagles are fourth in the nation in rushing offense, averaging an impressive 250.8 yards on the ground per game. Tech is one of the most efficient passing teams in the country, sitting at No. 7 nationally in that category (176.97).

QB Kekoa Visperas is 22nd nationally in passing yards (1,197), tied for fourth nationally in passing touchdowns (13), leading the conference, and he leads the conference in passing efficiency (167.2). Running backs Quintell Quinn is tied for first in the OVC in rushing touchdowns (6), and Q'Daryius Jennings is second in the conference with five rushing TD. Wide receiver Noah Robinson is tied for first in the conference with five receiving touchdowns. WR Luke Shiels is tied for second in the conference with three touchdown grabs, and tight end Brian Courtney is tied for third with two TD.

The Golden Eagles have been stingy defensively, boasting the nation's No. 1 rush defense, allowing just 48.8 yards on the ground per game. Tech has held opponents to just 11.8 points per game, marking the second-best scoring defense in the nation, and the fourth-best total defense, allowing 249.8 total yards per game. The Golden Eagles average more points per game (56.6) than rushing yards allowed per game (48.0).

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

Tech faces Charleston Southern for OVC-Big South road action with a kickoff set for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday. Oct.11. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and listened to on 106.1 The Eagle with Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst) on the call.

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GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Matchup: No. 7/10 Tennessee Tech (5-0, 2-0) at Charleston Southern (1-5, 0-2)
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. CT
Venue: Buccaneer Field
Location: Charleston, S.C.
TV: ESPN+ - Justin Biegel (PxP) and Ford Werness (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 (56.6 ppg).
• 2nd – Tennessee Tech has the No. 2 scoring defense in FCS, allowing 11.8 points per game.
• 4th – Tech averages 250.8 rushing yards per game, the 4th most in the nation.
• 4th – The Golden Eagles have the No. 4 total defense in the nation, allowing just 249.8 yards per game.
• 5-0: The Golden Eagles opened a season 4-0 for the first time since 1977.
• No. 7 – The AFCA Coaches Poll ranking is the highest in FCS/DI AA program history.
• 10 – The Golden Eagles hold the longest active winning streak in FCS (10 games).
• 60 – Tech has scored more than 60 points in three games this season (65, 72, 66).
• 72 – 72 points against Davidson marks the most points scored by Tech in the modern era (since 1928).

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee Tech leads Charleston Southern 1-0 after matching up for the first time on the gridiron last season at Tucker Stadium. The Golden Eagles and the Buccaneers match up for the second time in series history after Tech won the first meeting 28-23 in 2024. Tech held off a second-half comeback from Charleston Southern after leading 19-7 at the half. CSU outscored Tech 16-9 in the second half but the Golden Eagles held on to the five-point win to move to 1-0 in the series. D.J. Linkins led the Golden Eagles with 106 yards receiving and one touchdown. Jalen Mitchell rushed for 94 yards on 15 carries. Tremel Jones rushed for one touchdown and caught another TD. Aaron Swafford led the way with 11 tackles (3 solo, 8 assists) in the win.

LAST GAME: Tennessee Tech took down Western Illinois 66-20 to improve to 5-0 to start a season for the third time in program history on Saturday at Tucker Stadium. The Golden Eagles (5-0, 2-0) improve to 5-0 with a 66-20 victory over the Leathernecks (1-5, 0-2) from Western Illinois to win 10 straight games, marking the longest active winning streak in FCS. Tech has also reached uncharted waters, becoming just the third team in program history to begin a season 5-0, and the first since 1977. QB Kekoa Visperas led an offense that was clicking on all cylinders, racking up 618 yards of total offense, the most in a game this season. Visperas threw for 358 yards and four touchdowns on 24-38 passing with no interceptions and was unstoppable all game. Visperas also led the Golden Eagles in rushing yards with 73 on eight carries, averaging 9.1 yards per carry with a long of 29 yards. Aidan Littles (22 yards), Quintell Quinn (13 yards), and Obie Sanni (9 yards) accounted for three rushing touchdowns for Tech. WR Noah Robinson made just seven catches but averaged 18.0 yards per catch for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Robinson is the first Tech wide out since 2012 to make three touchdown receptions in a single game (Da'Rick Rodgers vs. SEMO, 2012). The Golden Eagles scored eight offensive touchdowns in a single game for the first time in program history. It marks the second-most offensive touchdowns this season, after scoring nine against Davidson (72 total points) on Sept. 13. On the defensive side of the ball, Tech held WIU to just 18 first downs. The Leathernecks managed just 32 yards rushing on 23 attempts (1.4 yards per rush). The Golden Eagles did allow 375 total yards, marking the most allowed to an opponent this season and the first time the opposition had more than 290 total yards of offense. LB Aaron Swafford led the Golden Eagles with six tackles (3 solo, 3 assists) and two QB hurries. DB Tim Coutras made five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist), recovered one fumble that he returned for 14 yards and almost took to the house, and two pass breakups. Andrew Smith picked off a pass and took it 16 yards for a touchdown, marking his second straight game with a pick six and the Golden Eagles' third straight contest with an interception returned for a TD. The Golden Eagles recorded 10 tackles for a loss of 43 yards, 4 sacks (-25), one fumble, and one interception. Tennessee Tech has started the season 5-0 for the third time in program history (1952, 1977, and 2025).

HOW IT HAPPENED: Dom LeBlanc opened the scoring for the Golden Eagles with a 36-yard field goal, capping a seven-play 50-yard drive that took 2:40 on the first drive of the game for Tech. It was the first time this season that an opening drive for the Golden Eagles did not result in a touchdown. Western Illinois responded and grabbed the lead with a passing touchdown by Cason Carswell, putting the Golden Eagles in unfamiliar territory, trailing for the first time this season, 7-3. Tech trailed for just 1:50 as a six-play 75-yard drive was capped with a touchdown pass from Visperas to Robinson, moving the home team back in front 10-7 through one quarter. After the Golden Eagles' defense forced a three-and-out, making the Leathernecks punt on their second possession, Visperas once again connected with Robinson for a 31-yard touchdown pass to cap a five-play 48-yard drive, extending the lead to 17-7.

Western Illinois got as close as seven points twice (17-10; 11:23 in 2Q and 24-17; 7:25 in 2Q), but Tennessee Tech outscored the visitors 28-3 in the second half to walk away to a 66-20 victory.

2-0 IN CONFERENCE PLAY: The Golden Eagles have begun OVC-Big South Play 2-0 for the second consecutive year under Head Coach Bobby Wilder. Last season, conference play began with wins over Tennessee State (24-14) and Gardner-Webb (52-21) and this year the conference slate has begun with wins over Tennessee State (35-8) and Western Illinois (66-20), avenging the last loss against WIU prior to the active 10-game winning streak. Tech has allowed 28 points in two conference games in 2025, compared to 31 points in three non-conference games with one shutout (65-0 over Cumberland, 9/30).

GIVE HIM THE GAME BALL: Tennessee Tech quarterback Kekoa Visperas has been given a Walter Camp Game Ball following the 66-20 victory over Western Illinois, as announced by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Visperas led an offense that was clicking on all cylinders for 618 yards of total offense, the most in a game this season. Visperas threw for 358 yards and four touchdowns on 24-38 (63.2%) passing with no interceptions and was unstoppable all game. In all, Visperas went off for 431 yards of total offense (358 passing, 73 rushing). This is the first honor of its kind for Visperas since joining Tennessee Tech. Visperas also led the Golden Eagles in rushing yards with 73 on eight carries, averaging 9.1 yards per carry with a long of 29 yards. Aidan Littles (22 yards), Quintell Quinn (13 yards), and Obie Sanni (9 yards) accounted for three rushing touchdowns for an offense that scored eight touchdowns, the third most in a single game in program history.  The redshirt senior from Eatonville, Washington, completed the most passes (24) on the most attempts (38), for the most yards (358) and most touchdowns (4) in a single game this season. Visperas has been outstanding at the quarterback position for Tennessee Tech, throwing for 13 touchdowns with just one interception this year. Visperas' 13 passing touchdowns are tied for fourth nationally. He has thrown for 1,197 yards this season, marking the 22nd-most in FCS.

OVC-BIG SOUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Tennessee Tech quarterback Kekoa Visperas has been named OVC-Big South Offensive Player of the Week following the 66-20 victory over Western Illinois, as announced today by the conference.  Visperas led an offense that was clicking on all cylinders for 618 yards of total offense, the most in a game this season. Visperas threw for 358 yards and four touchdowns on 24-38 (63.2%) passing with no interceptions and was unstoppable all game. In all, Visperas went off for 431 yards of total offense (358 passing, 73 rushing). Visperas threw the fourth-most passing yards in FCS during Week 6. This is the second honor of its kind for Visperas since joining Tennessee Tech, and it is the fourth overall OVC-Big South Player of the Week selection for the Golden Eagles.

Visperas also led the Golden Eagles in rushing yards with 73 on eight carries, averaging 9.1 yards per carry with a long of 29 yards. Aidan Littles (22 yards), Quintell Quinn (13 yards), and Obie Sanni (9 yards) accounted for three rushing touchdowns for an offense that scored eight touchdowns, the third most in a single game in program history.  The redshirt senior from Eatonville, Washington, completed the most passes (24) on the most attempts (38), for the most yards (358) and most touchdowns (4) in a single game this season. Visperas has been outstanding at the quarterback position for Tennessee Tech, throwing for 13 touchdowns with just one interception this year. Visperas' 13 passing touchdowns are tied for fourth nationally. He has thrown for 1,197 yards, marking the 22nd-most in FCS.

MR. ROBINSON: WR Noah Robinson made three touchdown grabs against Western Illinois, marking the most touchdown catches in a game since 2012 when Da'Rick Rogers caught three TD vs. SEMO. In that 2012 matchup with SEMO, Rogers went off for a school record 303 receiving yards. Robinson posted the first 100-plus-yard receiving game for the Golden Eagles this season. He recorded 122 of his 126 receiving yards in the first half, marking the most in a half and game this year. He was one touchdown catch shy of a single-game school record.

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 5-0 for the third time in program history (1952, 1977, and 2025). Tech opened the 1977 campaign with eight straight wins and finished 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the OVC. Tech has won 10 straight games marking the longest active winning streak in FCS and setting the longest winning streak in program history. Tennessee Tech enters today's contest ranked No. 7 by the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 10 by the StatsPerform Top 25. The No. 7 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, 10/6, No. 10) | AFCA Coaches Poll (9/6, No. 20, 9/13, No. 16, 9/27, No. 11, 10/6, No. 7)

COMPLETE GAME: Tech outscores its opponents 87-10 in the first quarter and 86-24 in the second quarter for a resounding 173-34 advantage in the first half this season. The Golden Eagles outscored the opposition 110-25 in the second half for a total of 283-59 for four quarters of football. The nation's No. 1 scoring offense (56.6 ppg) and No. 2 scoring defense (11.8 papg) have allowed the Golden Eagles to record one of the best starts in program history. 

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 66 points against Western Illinois, the Golden Eagles have scored 283 total points, marking the most scored through five games in modern program history since 1977. The Golden Eagles have scored over 60 points three times in five games played this season, and 35-plus points in all five games. In five wins to begin the season, Tech has scored 283 points, and during the five-game winning streak to end 2024, the Golden Eagles scored 140 points. That's 423 total points over 10 consecutive wins (42.3 ppg), while allowing 114 total points during that run (11.4 ppg).

LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK IN FCS: Tech currently holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (10 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.

FCS Longest Active Winning Streaks (Per StatsPerform)
Overall
10 – Tennessee Tech
9 – NDSU, Presbyterian
6 – Lehigh, Tarleton St

Home
32 – SDSU
18 – Villanova
15 – NDSU
11 – Rhode Island, South Dakota

Road
5 – Harvard
4 – Presbyterian
3 – NDSU, Tarleton St, Tennessee Tech

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 has held its opponent under 20 points in four of five contests (20 vs. Western Illinois, 10/4). The Golden Eagles are second nationally in yards allowed per play, surrendering just 3.80 yards on each play to the opposition. Tech is fourth nationally in total yards allowed per game, surrendering just 249.8 total yards.

FLY EAGLES FLY: Tech's offense is one of the prolific in the country, leading the nation in scoring offense (56.6 ppg), sitting at No. 3 in total offense, averaging 532.2 yards per game; 4th in rushing offense (250.8), No. 11 in team passing efficiency (106.2), and No. 8 in passing offense (281.4). The Golden Eagles are tied for 21st in red zone offense, converting 91.3% of the time.

More national rankings can be found below.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE NATIONAL RANKINGS (FCS Through Games 10/4/25)
No. 1     Scoring Offense (56.6)
No. 1     Rushing Defense (48.8)
No. 2     Scoring Defense (11.8)
No. 4     Rushing Offense (250.8)
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. 7 in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Poll and No. 10 in the StatsPerform FCS Top 25. The No. 7 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).

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 annually between Air Force, Army, and Navy 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.

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 finishing the 2024 campaign in a tie for first place, marking 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: In October, Tech's slate includes 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.