September 20, 2011

Family Weekend brings defending OVC champ SEMO to town

It should be a perfect night for college football Saturday when Tennessee Tech bids for its third straight win. The Golden Eagles welcome defending OVC champion Southeast Missouri for a 7 p.m. kickoff in Tucker Stadium.

Click here to view/download TTU vs. SEMO game notes (PDF)
Click here to go to Gameday Live
Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park opens at 4 p.m.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Hoping to improve to 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play, and also to avenge a two-point loss last year to the Redhawks, the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle football team hosts defending OVC champion Southeast Missouri on Saturday night in Tucker Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m., and the Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park opens at 4 p.m.

Tech is coming off a 31-20 victory at Eastern Illinois to open OVC play and brings a 2-1 overall record into the contest including a modest two-game win streak.

Southeast Missouri, meanwhile, is looking for its first win of the season after falling to Southern Illinois and Purdue to go to 0-2.

The Golden Eagles rank at or near the top of the OVC stat charts in numerous categories, including rushing defense. SEMO, meanwhile, brings a potent rushing attack into the game behind dangerous, dual-threat quarterback Matt Scheible. Last year, the veteran signal-caller passed for 114 yards and rushed for 82 more. He is the team’s leading rusher through two games.

Tech quarterback Tre Lamb, meanwhile, ranks first in the OVC in passing efficiency and is also fifth in passing yards per game and fourth in total offense.

Tech’s top target is Tim Benford, who ranks first in the OVC in receptions and receiving yards. He ranks in the OVC all-time Top 10 in both categories.

On the ground, Tech has been led by senior Dontey Gay who ranks first in the OVC with 119.7 yards per game. Gay is also first in the league in scoring with five touchdowns, reaching the end zone in each of Tech’s first three games.

On defense, Tech players lead the OVC in passes defended (Richmond Tooley) and interceptions (Corey Watson).

Records in 2011: Tennessee Tech is 1-1 overall / 1-0 Ohio Valley Conference
                            Southeast Missouri is 0-2 overall /0-0 Ohio Valley Conference
Last Week: Tennessee Tech defeated Eastern Illinois, 31-20
                   Southeast Missouri lost at Purdue, 59-0
Last Year: Southeast Missouri won, 23-21
Series Record: Tech leads, 11-8
Tech Radio:
     Golden Eagle Sports Network (Roger Ealey, Buddy Pearson, Brandon Goodwin)
              also Teamline Direct (Dial 216-502-3200 / enter team code 0654) - $5 per game
Internet:    www.Magic985.com for audio stream
Television: WCTE TV (Tim Scruggs and Craig Delk)
Live Stats: www.TTUsports.com
Social Media: TTU Sports (Facebook); @TTUGoldenEagles (Twitter)
Special Events: Family Weekend at TTU