No. 5 Tennessee Tech Faces Kentucky for Second Time in Non-Conference Road Matchup

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Media Relations

LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 5 Tennessee Tech (10-0, 7-0) heads to Kentucky (4-5, 2-5) for the second matchup in series history in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT.

The Golden Eagles are the first team in the OVC-Big South to start 7-0 in Association games during the league's existence. Tennessee Tech is 10-0 for the first time in program history (2025). The Golden Eagles are 0-1 all time against the Wildcats and face an FBS foe for the first time since last season (Georgia and Middle Tennessee). It marks the second straight season that the Golden Eagles have faced an SEC opponent.

Tech dropped its only matchup in series history against Kentucky (L, 72-13) on Sept. 15, 1951. In 1951, Tennessee Tech was known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (TPI) and was a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). The 1951 Golden Eagles finished 5-5-1, with a 3-3 mark in conference play.

TTU has a chance to clinch an outright OVC Championship for the first time since 1972, with a loss by UT Martin against Charleston Southern on Saturday.

Tech's 15-straight wins are the longest winning streak in program history. The Golden Eagles are 7-0 in conference play for the first time ever. Tech has scored in 31 of 40 quarters, with the following by-quarter scoring breakdown: 118-27 (1st); 137-54 (2nd); 98-30 (3rd); 99-35 (4th). Tennessee Tech leads the FCS in scoring offense (45.2 points per game) and rushing defense (60.9 yards allowed), and ranks sixth in total defense (279.1).

Tennessee Tech at Kentucky | Game Notes

QB Kekoa Visperas is tied for sixth in FCS with 22 touchdown passes this season, a mark that is the most in a single season in program history. The offensive line has been outstanding in protection, surrendering 16 sacks, which is the lowest in the conference.

The Golden Eagles have been strong defensively, leading the OVC-Big South in sacks (39), interceptions (10), and fifth in the conference in fumbles recovered (6). Tech has led the nation in rush defense since the beginning of the season, allowing just 60.9 yards per game on the ground.

The game can be heard on 106.1 The Eagle with Dylan Vazzano (PxP), Frank Harrell (Analyst), and Noah McKay (Sideline) on the call, and watched on SECN+. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. CT in Lexington, Ky.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION 

Matchup: No. 5 Tennessee Tech (10-0, 7-0) at Kentucky (4-5, 2-5)
Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 15 at 12:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Kroger Field at C.M. Newton Grounds
Location: Lexington, Ky.    
TV: SECN+ - Jay Alter (PxP) and Rocky Boiman (Analyst)  
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle – Dylan Vazzano (PxP), Frank Harrell (Analyst), and Noah McKay (Sideline)

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1st – No. 1 scoring offense in the nation among FCS teams (45.2)
• 1st – No. 1 rushing defense, allowing 60.9 yards per game.
• 4th – No. 4 scoring defense, allowing 15.3 points per game.
• 6th – No. 6 total defense in the nation, allowing 279.1 yards per game.
• 5th – StatsPerform Top 25 rankings is the highest in FCS/DI AA program history.
• 7-0 – Tech is the first team to start conference play 7-0 in OVC-Big South existence.
• 7th – Tech averages 219.5 rushing yards per game, the 7th most in the nation.
• 7th – Picked 7th in the second FCS Playoff Committee Rankings (11/5)
• 10-0:  Opened the season 10-0 for the first time in program history.
• 10 - This is the second 10-win season in program history (2025, 1952)
• 15 –  Holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (15 games)
• 60 –  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: Tech and Kentucky have met one time on the football field back in1951. The Golden Eagles lost that matchup 72-13 in Lexington. Tech's last win against an FBS opponent was Sept. 13, 1980 against Western Carolina (W, 26-10). The Golden Eagles are 2-38 all-time against teams out of the FBS. The most recent matchup with an FBS foe was in 2024, dropping that contest 48-3 (vs. #1 Georgia). TTU played two FBS opponents in 2024, with a 32-25 loss to Middle Tennessee opening last season. This is the first and only FBS matchup of 2025.

LAST GAME: No. 5 Tennessee Tech improves to 10-0 on the season with a 21-9 win over Eastern Illinois on the road Saturday. It marks the second 10-win team in Tech football history (1972). The Golden Eagles have clinched at least a share of the OVC-Big South Title for the second consecutive season with the win. Tech improves to 10-0 on the season for the first time in program history. The program now has two 10-win seasons in its football lore (1972 and 2025). The Golden Eagles have won 15 straight games, which continues to be the longest active winning streak in the nation and the longest winning streak in program history. The Golden Eagles' defense held EIU to nine points, allowing one touchdown in an effort where they allowed 137 yards rushing and just 189 yards through the air for 326 total yards. EIU didn't score until 5:03 left in the first quarter, a field goal, and the Panthers didn't put six on the board until 1:16 remained in the fourth quarter. Tech held EIU to 4-for-13 on third down and 1-for-4 on fourth down, and 5.6 yards per pass completion. QB Kekoa Visperas did it with his arm and his legs once again, throwing for his 22nd touchdown of the season, a single-season program record, and rushing for 57 yards to lead the team. WR Maury Sullivan caught one touchdown and finished with 64 yards on three receptions with 25 yards after the catch. Q'Daryius Jennings rushed for one touchdown, the first score of the game for Tech, and finished with 30 yards on six carries. WR Tre' Holloway finished with 51 receiving yards and 26 return yards for 84 all-purpose yards. Theron Gaines not only scored his second touchdown of the season on a scoop and score from a fumbled snap, but also led the team with 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 asts), including 2.0 sacks, 2.0 TFL, and one quarterback hurry. Gaines compiled his second defensive touchdown, a 10-yard fumble return to put the Golden Eagles in front for good, 21-9. Tech leads the nation in defensive touchdowns with five.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Golden Eagles opened the game with all of the momentum, taking their first two drives in for scores. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Tech marched down the field on seven plays for 70 yards, capping the 3:53 drive with a five-yard touchdown rush by Q'Daryius Jennings, his team-leading 10th rushing touchdown of the season. On the ensuing drive, EIU was forced to punt and Tech took advantage, moving the ball 74 yards on eight plays over 4:05, and capping the drive with a Top 10 catch by Maury Sullivan for a 48-yard touchdown. The Golden Eagles limited EIU to three points in the first half and held a 14-3 advantage until 3:50 left in the game when Gaines scooped and scored off a fumbled snap, putting it out of reach 21-3. EIU got a late score and attempted an onside kick, but the Golden Eagles recovered it and went into victory formation to cap the 21-9 win.

FCS UNBEATEN TEAMS (Stats Perform)
FCS unbeatens: Best start since …
North Dakota State (10-0): 2019
Montana (10-0): 2009
Lehigh (10-0): 2001
Tennessee Tech (10-0): first time ever
Harvard (8-0): 2014

FCS unbeatens: Remaining regular-season games
No. 1 North Dakota State (10-0): UNI, St. Thomas
No. 2 Montana (10-0): at Portland State, Montana State
No. 4 Lehigh (10-0): at Colgate, at Lafayette
No. 5 Tennessee Tech (10-0): at Kentucky, UT Martin
No. 9 Harvard (8-0): Penn, at Yale

POSSIBLE FCE PLAYOFF BIDS IN WEEK 12: These two FCS teams only need a win in Week 12 (and nothing else) to clinch an automatic playoff bid:

NEC Football: Central Connecticut State (at Duquesne) Southland: Stephen F. Austin (vs. Lamar)

LEADERS OF THE OVC: Running backs Q'Daryius Jennings and Quintell Quinn have emerged as rushing leaders for the Golden Eagles. They are second and third respectively, in rushing touchdowns (10, Jennings) and (9, Quinn). Other conference leaders are listed below. Theron Gaines is 8th in tackles (71) in the OVC-Big South, which leads the team.

OVC-Big South Passing Yards Leaders (Top 5)
Pos.      Player                               Yards               Team
1             Nate Glantz                      2,183               Lindenwood
2             Kekoa Visperas              2,104               Tennessee Tech
3             Jax Leatherwood               1,969              Southeast Missouri
4             Zolten Osborne                 1,795              Charleston Southern
5             Jase Bauer                       1,595              UT Martin

OVC-Big South Scoring Leaders
Pos        Player                             Points                 Team
1             Dom LeBlanc                  78                      Tennessee Tech
2             Carson Gresock                72                     Gardner-Webb
3             Charles Viorel                  66                     Gardner-Webb
4             Justin Keller                     63                    Southeast Missouri
5             Cade Hechter                   62                    UT Martin

OVC-Big South Punt Returns Yardage Leaders (Top 5)
Pos        Player                                     Yards                    Avg.                 Team
1             Tre' Holloway                        273                        15.2                Tennessee Tech
2             Anthony Lowe                         195                        10.8                Gardner-Webb
3             Cooper Willman                       176                        10.4                Eastern Illinois
4             Duece Oliver                           130                        6.5                  UT Martin
5             Jobe Bryant                            105                        9.5                  Southeast Missouri

OVC-Big South Total Offense Leaders (Top 5)
Pos        Player                               Yards                  Team
1             Kekoa Visperas              2544                     Tennessee Tech
2             Nate Glantz                      2412                     Lindenwood
3             Jase Bauer                       2004                     UT Martin
4             Jax Leatherwood                1862                    Southeast Missouri
5             Zolten Osborne                 1786                     Charleston Southern

OVC-Big South All-Purpose Yards Leaders (Top 5)
Pos        Player                                  Yards (Avg.)             Team
1             Anthony Lowe                     1123 (112.3)              Gardner-Webb
2             Markell Holman                   1034 (103.4)              Western Illinois
3             Quasean Holmes                 1032 (103.2)              Gardner-Webb
4             Kendric Rhymes                   652 (81.5)                 Tennessee State
5             Tre' Holloway                     790 (79.0)               Tennessee Tech

FCS PLAYOFF SELECTION COMMITTEE RANKINGS: The 2025 FCS playoffs will be here in no time, with just 18 days until the postseason bracket is revealed. It's time for a look at how the Division I Football Championship Committee has evaluated the action so far as it reveals its second in-season top-10 rankings.  The rankings were announced shortly after 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Nov. 5 on ESPN2's "College Football Live" broadcast. The committee used results of games played through Nov. 1, and these in-season rankings serve as a snapshot as to where the committee has teams ranked heading into the final three weeks of the regular season. The committee's top-10 rankings give insight into which teams are in contention for the first round byes given to the eight seeded teams in the FCS playoff bracket. Like last year, teams seeded Nos. 9-16 will also be seeded, increasing the importance of the last two teams ranked in the committee's rankings. Click or tap here for more on this year's FCS Championship.

Here are the top 10 rankings below, along with a breakdown of each team.

Rank    School                                  Record (As of 11/1/25)
1             North Dakota                         9-0
2             Montana State                       7-2
3             Montana                               9-0
4             Lehigh                                  9-0
5             Tarleton State                       9-1
6             South Dakota State               7-2
7             Tennessee Tech                  9-0
8             Monmouth                           8-1
9             Harvard                               7-0
10           UC Davis                              6-2

7-0 IN CONFERENCE: The Golden Eagles are 7-0 in conference play for the first time in program history. Tech has opened with wins over Tennessee State (W, 35-8), Western Illinois (W, 66-20), Charleston Southern (W, 27-13), Lindenwood (W, 52-28), SEMO (W, 42-23), Gardner-Webb (W, 27-21), and Eastern Illinois (W, 21-9). It is the first time in OVC-Big South Association history (Since 2022) that a team has started 7-0. It's also the first time in program history that Tech has begun conference play 7-0.

POINT SCORERS: Tech has scored more than 40 points five times this season, with a high of 72 against Davidson. That production has led to the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation (47.9 ppg).

Points                 Opponents                      Date                  Game                  
72                       Davidson                         Sept. 13             Game 3
66                       Western Illinois                Oct. 4                Game 5
65                       Cumberland                     Aug. 30             Game 1
45                       Chattanooga                    Sept. 6              Game 2
42                       SEMO                             Oct. 25              Game 8

A BIG DIFFERENTIAL: Tech leads the nation in scoring differential, scoring 452 total points and allowing 153 points (+299) points through 10 games.

FCS Point Differential Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                            Points Scored                 Points Allowed               Differential
1             Tennessee Tech             452                               153                                 +299
2             North Dakota State           396                              117                                 +279
3             Tarleton State                  436                              177                                  +259
4             Harvard                           321                               93                                  +228
5             Montana                          399                              234                                  +165

OVC-BIG SOUTH PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Tennessee Tech has earned six OVC-Big South Player of the Week honors, with Kekoa Visperas taking home Offensive Player of the Week in Week 3 and Week 6 and most recently, linebacker Theron Gaines made a season high 11 tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown in the 21-9 win over Eastern Illinois to secure back-to-back Defensive Player of the Week honors for Tech.

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

AIR RAID: QB Kekoa Visperas has thrown 22 touchdown passes which is tied for the 7th most touchdown passes in the nation at the FCS level, a mark that is first in program history during a single season. Visperas threw three touchdowns against Lindenwood (2nd most in a single game this season) and added two TD passes against Gardner-Webb to total five touchdown passes in the last two weeks.  

Passing TD National Leaders (Top 10)
Rank    Name                                        Pass TD              Team                                   
1          Taron Dickens                            33                    Western Carolina
2          Braden Atkinson                         28                     Mercer
3          Derek Robertson                        27                     Monmouth
4          Eddie Lee Marburger                  25                     UTRG
            Tommy Rittenhouse                   25                     Illinois State
6          Collin Hurst                               22                     Presbyterian
            Jerry Kaminski                           22                    North Dakota
            Kekoa Visperas                        22                    Tennessee Tech

Single Season Program Pass TD Standings
TD          Name                             Year                     
22           Kekoa Visperas              2025
21           Bailey Fisher                    2019
19           Grant Swallows                 2001
19           Jeremiah Oatsvall             2022
18           Mike Jones                      1993
              Michael Birdsong              2016
             Tre Lamb                          2012
             Tre Lamb                          2011
             Lee Sweeney                    2006

GOLDEN MILESTONES: The Golden Eagles have started 10-0 for the second time in program history (2025), and the first time in FCS history. Tech has won 15 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 FCS Top 10 Committee Rankings, No. 5 by the Stats Perform Top 25, and No. 6 by the AFCA Coaches Poll.

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: Stats Perform (9/6; No. 17, 9/13; No. 15; 9/27; No. 13, 10/6; No. 10, 10/13; No. 8, 10/18; No. 9;

10/25, No. 9; 11/3, No. 5; 11/8, No. 5)

AFCA Coaches Poll (9/6; No. 20, 9/13; No. 16, 9/27; No. 11, 10/6; No. 7, 10/13; No. 8, 10/18; No. 8; 10/25; No. 8; 11/3, No. 5; 11/8, No. 6)

FCS Playoff Committee (10/15; No. 10); (11/5; No. 7)

SCOARING EAGLES: The Tennessee Tech offense has scored more points than any team in program history through 10 games (452 points). The Golden Eagles have scored over 60 points three times in five games played this season, and 35-plus points in seven of 10 games played.

Scoring Offense National Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                                                PPG     
1             Tennessee Tech                              45.2
2             Tarleton State                                   43.6
3             UTRGV                                             41.4
4             Alabama St.                                      40.7
5             Harvard                                            40.1

LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK IN FCS: Tech currently holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (15 games), marking the longest winning streak in program history. 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 STREAK
Overall
15 – Tennessee Tech
14 – North Dakota State
10 – Lehigh, Montana
9 – Harvard

Home
20 – Villanova
17 – North Dakota State
13 – Rhode Island

Road
7 – Harvard
6 – North Dakota State, Tennessee Tech
5 – Mercer

DOMINANT DEFENSE: Tech has allowed just 17 TD this season, which are the fourth fewest allowed by a program in FCS. Tech has held its opponents under 20 points in six of 10 contests, allowing 15.3 points per game. The Golden Eagles are second nationally in yards allowed per play, surrendering just 4.02 yards on each play to the opposition. Tech is sixth nationally in total yards allowed per game, surrendering just 279.1 total yards. TTU is first nationally with five defensive touchdowns, including a fumble returned for a touchdown by Theron Gaines at Eastern Illinois (11/8).

Scoring Defense National Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                                          Points Allowed Per Game   
1             Harvard                                        11.62
2             North Dakota State                        11.70
3             Lehigh                                          12.80
4             Tennessee Tech                           15.30
5             Stephen F. Austin                           15.40

Defensive TDs Nationally Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                                            TD         
1             Tennessee Tech                           5
2             Eastern Kentucky                           4
               Rhode Island                                 4
              Tarleton State                                 4
5            Dayton                                           3
              8 others                                         3

Team Sacks (Top 6)
Rk          Team                                          Avg.
1            Mercer                                         4.11
2            Tennessee Tech                          4.00
3            Lehigh                                         3.70
              Sacramento State                         3.70
5            NC Central                                   3.40
              San Diego                                   3.40

GIVE HIM THE GAME BALL: Tennessee Tech quarterback Kekoa Visperas was given the 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.

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