The Golden Eagle football seniors will play the last game of their collegiate careers on Saturday as Tech (3-8, 1-6 OVC) hosts the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. Defensively, the senior class is represented by Martini Hilliard, Corey Reed, Xavier Purdy, and Maurice Smith.
Offensively, Scott Eller and Derrick Outlaw will be playing in their final game as Golden Eagles. The lone senior on special teams is long-snapper John Ross Hudson.
The Golden Eagles are coming off a bye week after losing at home to Jacksonville State on November 8.
In that contest, freshman Tim Benford tied the school record for touchdown catches in a season with his 10th and extended his record for grabs in a season, raising the bar to 61.
Junior Lee Sweeney played only the first series, but was not missed as junior Josh Lowery took over, completing 19 of 34 pass attempts for 191 yards, two scores and one interception.
Sweeney, who will get the start this week, has had only one game this season in which he threw for more touchdowns than interceptions (Austin Peay, Oct. 25).
The Panthers, 4-7 overall and 2-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference, are coming off of a loss to Austin Peay at home last week.
EIU leads the all-time series 10-4, with Tech winning just one of the last eight matchups. The last time Tech won was in 2004 at Tucker Stadium in overtime with an final score of 40-37.
Saturday’s kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m. at Tucker Stadium. Admission is free with a Tech ID or, for this week only, with a ticket for Saturday’s basketball game. For more information, call the ticket office at 931-372-3940.
