On Saturday, Sept. 28, Tech traveled to Boiling Springs, North Carolina, to take on the Runnin’ Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb. The final score was an impressive 52-21 Golden Eagle victory to improve their conference record to 2-0.
This is the first time since 2011 that Tech has started conference play 2-0. This early success in the OVC sets the Golden Eagles up nicely for the remainder of their conference schedule as they are currently first in the OVC conference standings.
Tech dominated the football game in all three facets from start to finish. On the first drive of the game, sophomore quarterback Jordyn Potts (5) found junior transfer wide receiver D.J. Linkins (10) for a 20-yard strike to go up 7-0 early.
At halftime, the score was 24-7 in favor of the Golden Eagles, but throughout the 2nd half, Tech continued to put on more steam. Gardner-Webb received the 2nd half kickoff, but on the third play of the drive, GWU quarterback Tyler Ridell’s pass was intercepted by redshirt sophomore defensive back Omari Philyaw (16).
Shortly after, grad-transfer running back Jalen Mitchell (0) punched it in from 6 yards out. Mitchell was one of five Golden Eagles to score a rushing touchdown in the game.
On the ensuing Runnin’ Bulldog drive, Junior defensive lineman Theron Gaines (30) forced a fumble that was recovered by redshirt junior defensive end Daniel Rickert (55). Rickert returned the fumble all the way for six, making the score 38-7.
The score would only get worse for Gardner-Webb as Tech continued to have success on the ground. In the fourth quarter, freshman running back Aidan Littles (32) once again made the most of his playing time this season, scoring an 87-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 52-7.
Stats in this game were not hard to come by for the Golden Eagles. The team rushed for an astonishing 340 yards on the ground, with Aidan Littles leading the way with 118 yards.
The defense once again came to play as they forced three turnovers: interceptions by Omari Philyaw and senior defensive back Tim Coutras (20) as well as a fumble that was forced by Theron Gaines and recovered by Daniel Rickert. Gaines ended the game with a rather impressive statline of seven total tackles, 3.5 for loss, and three sacks to go along with the forced fumble.
All in all, the Golden Eagles were able to make a statement against the defending OVC champions in their own backyard, something that Tech can certainly build off of and use as momentum going forward.
Tech returns home this weekend to take on non-conference opponent South Carolina State. The team will re-open conference play Oct. 12 at Southeast Missouri.
