The Tech football team wins their first game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 21, defeating Tennessee State University (TSU) 24-14. This was both the home and conference opener for the Golden Eagles, so getting a win is huge for everybody involved.
Tech started hot, scoring on their opening drive with a 12-yard designed run from number 5, sophomore quarterback Jordyn Potts.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles looked crisp on that side of the ball as well. The defensive line was getting pressure on TSU quarterback Draylen Ellis, sacking him on third down multiple times throughout the first quarter.
Coming off of the Jordyn Potts touchdown, the defense forced a three-and-out and Tech was back on offense.
In just three plays, the Golden Eagles found the end zone once again on a 54-yard run by junior running back and Old Dominion transfer Obie Sanni.
This pushed the lead to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, and after Tech was putting together another nice offensive drive, the momentum completely shifted.
On the first play of the second quarter, Tech quarterback Jordyn Potts rolled to his right and fired a pass in the flats that was tipped up in the air, intercepted and ultimately returned to the house for six.
This took the momentum that was completely on the Golden Eagles’ side, and shifted it in TSU’s favor as they would then capitalize on their next offensive possession.
Draylen Ellis,TSU quarterback fired a pass into the end zone that was hauled in by former Golden Eagle receiver Jalal Dean, evening up the score at 14-14 going into halftime. In the post game conference Tech coach Bobby Wilder expressed how he felt by halftime, “…it was going to become a field position game.”
In the third quarter, Tech was able to regain the lead on a 34-yard field goal by freshman kicker Dom LeBlanc, making the score 17-14 in favor of the Golden Eagles. Wilder stressed, “I can’t say enough, about a game like that, about taking the lead,”
This score remained the same until late in the fourth quarter, the Tech defense was able to seal the deal.
Draylen Ellis fired a pass to the TSU sideline, and after the ball was bobbled by the TSU receiver, number 1 defensive back, junior Ty Moss was able to grab it and take it the other way on a 56-yard pick six to put the nail in the coffin.
After a last-hope effort by the TSU offense resulted in a turnover on downs, the clock hit zero and the Golden Eagles moved to 1-0 in conference play in Wilder’s first season.
In terms of team statistics, the Golden Eagles were able to gain 314 yards of total offense, 220 of those coming on the ground.
However TSU finished with a total of zero rushing yards, taking into account the tackles-for-loss and sacks that the Tech defense forced.
The turnover battle was dead even as both teams forced two turnovers. The time of possession battle was a perfect 30 minutes for each team, which is something that does not happen often.
Next week Tech will travel to conference opponent Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Sept. 28 to continue OVC play and hopes to obtain their second win of the season.
