Golden Eagles close 2009 with winning mark, top Murray State 45-15
The Golden Eagles wrapped up the 2009 season with a winning overall record (6-5), an unbeaten record at home (5-0) and second place in the Ohio Valley Conference by posting a 45-14 victory over Murray State Saturday.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Dontey Gay rushed for 102
yards helping Tennessee Tech pile up 288 yards and four touchdowns
on the ground on the way to a 45-14 Ohio Valley Conference victory
over Murray State Saturday afternoon in Tucker Stadium.
With the victory in their season finale, the Golden Eagles (6-5/5-3
OVC) wrapped up their first winning record since 2004 and finished
with an unbeaten mark of 5-0 at home. Tech tied for second place in
the OVC, one game behind Eastern Illinois.
“We met all but one of our goals this season, and we were
just one game away from winning the conference,” said head
coach Watson Brown as he closed out his third year at the helm.
“We finished with a winning record, we had a winning OVC
record, we went undefeated at home and we won the state
championship (Sgt. York Trophy).”
The Tech defense also came up with some big plays, forcing three
turnovers by the Racers. Justin Vann (shown in photo) intercepted a
pass while Corbin Miles and Caleb Mitchell each recovered
fumbles.
Gay, the only player on the TTU roster from Kentucky, posted his
second 100-yard game of the season, rushing for 102 yards on 10
carries. Sophomore Tremaine Hudson added 66 yards in 10 carries,
senior Cedric Wilkerson had 54 yards in 10 carries and junior Henry
Sailes (left) added 50 yards in six attempts.
Wilkerson and Sailes each scored touchdowns, and quarterback Cass
Barnes rushed for two more scores.
The 288 rushing yards tied for the most by the Golden Eagles under
Brown, matching the 288 yards gained against Concordia in 2007.
It was the most rushing yards by a Tech squad since the Golden
Eagles pounded out 353 yards in a 52-14 win over UT Chattanooga on
Oct. 9, 2004.
The Golden Eagles drove 65 yards in 10 plays from the opening
kickoff to grab a 7-0 lead on a five-yard run by Sailes. Murray
State answered two possessions later with a nine-play, 80-yard
scoring drive as Charlie Jordan rushed the final nine for the
touchdown to tie the score.
Tech moved 49 yards in seven plays to regain the lead on
Sweeney’s touchdown pass to Olverson to make it 14-7 with
2:33 to play in the first quarter.
After the Golden Eagle defense halted Murray State on a
fourth-and-two at the TTU 36-yard line early in the second, Sweeney
and Barnes combined for a 51-yard, 11 play scoring drive. Barnes
converted from the one for the score with four minutes to play in
the half.
Barnes scored his second TD, a three-yard jaunt early in the third
quarter to make it 28-7 to cap a 55-yard drive, and the lead grew
to 35-7 four minutes later on a nine-yard TD pass from Sweeney to
Waters, who was lining up at fullback for the first time this
season after moving to linebacker for his final campaign.
Freshman placekicker Tim Donegan booted a 21-yard field goal with
1:09 left in the third quarter to make it 38-7, and Tech’s
final touchdown came on a four-yard run by Wilkerson with 8:54
remaining. That drive was engineered by redshirt freshman
quarterback Tre Lamb.
Murray State added a touchdown with 4:11 remaining as quarterback
Casey Brockman hit Marcus Harris on a 10-yard scoring pass to
complete a 56-yard, nine-play drive.
Wilkerson had the second-best game of his two seasons in a Tech
uniform, and will miss playing.
“We’ve been playing this game since we were six years
old, so it’s going to be tough to let go,” said the
senior from Clarksville. “We felt like we played our best
football at the end of the season, and that’s the goal. We
had a good running attack today.”
Wilkerson came into the game with 14 rushing yards and five
touchdowns in the first 10 games.
“Coming into the season I knew what my role was going to
be” Wilkerson said. “Once we got inside the 10-yard
line I knew coach Brown would call on me.”
Starting quarterback Lee Sweeney, one of nine seniors playing his
final game for the Golden Eagles, passed for Tech’s other two
scores. He connected with Alden Olverson on a five-yard TD in the
first quarter that broke a 7-7 tie and put the Golden Eagles ahead
to stay.
Sweeney also hit senior Derrian Waters with a nine-yard scoring
play in the third quarter. For the game, Sweeney went 17-for-27 for
153 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t sacked and
didn’t throw any interceptions. He finished his TTU career
with school records for most passing yards (7,157), most yards of
total offense (6,661) and most touchdown passes (49).
The four-year starter said it will be a few days before the seniors
realize their careers are finished.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Sweeney said.
“I think more bitter than sweet. It will really sink in on
Tuesday when we would normally be going to practice.”
He said his career numbers are a result of learning through his
four years in a Golden Eagle uniform.
“When I was in high school we won on talent,” Sweeney
said. “I couldn’t tell you the first thing about
defense, or what the safeties were doing. I’ve learned so
much here. I probably know more about defense than offense
now.”
Brown complimented the leadership of his nine seniors –
Sweeney, Waters, Wilkerson, Derek Dickerson, Brendon Fisher,
Brandon Harris, Kelvin Quarles, Taron Ryce, Calvin Smith.
“These seniors did a great job of leading,” Brown said.
“They were leading 70 young kids. We wanted them to leave
something to build on, and they did that.”
Tech finished the game with 441 yards of total offense, including
288 on the ground and 153 through the air. Murray State rushed for
99 yards and passed for 122 for 221 yards of total offense.
Brockman finished 12-for-22 for 122 yards with one touchdown and
one interception. Harris had six catches 61 yards including the TD.
Jordan rushed 19 times for 90 yards and one touchdown for the
Racers (3-8/2-6 OVC).
Pregame Notes
* It's a beautiful day for football here at Tucker Stadium with
the temperatures in the low 60s and sunny skies.
* The Golden Eagles have the opportunity to finish the season with
a winning record for the first time since 2004 with a win
today.
* Also, Tech can finish undefeated at Tucker Stadium this season
with a victory. The Golden Eagles enter the game with a 4-0 mark at
home in 2009.
* Tech is looking to avenge last year's loss to the Racers when
Murray State won 51-21 in Murray, Ky.
* Murray won the cointoss and chose to defer. The Golden Eagles
will receive the opening kick going north to south.
1st Quarter Notes
* Quarterback Lee Sweeney found wide receiver Colin Allen on a
4th and 5 play to keep the Golden Eagle opening drive alive. Three
plays later, running back Henry Sailes found the end zone to give
Tech the early lead. Sailes took the handoff designed to go up the
middle, bounced it outside and found the corner of the end zone.
That was the 12th scoring drive of 65 yards or more this season for
the Golden Eagles. Tech leads, 7-0
* Tech picked off a pass on Murray State's first play from
scrimmage to get the ball back. Justin Hilliard tipped the pass and
Justin Vann grabbed the ball out of the air to give Tech the ball
in Murray State territory.
* The Golden Eagles couldn't take advantage of their good field
position and were forced to punt after a 3-and-out.
* The Racers drove 80 yards and put the ball in the end zone to tie
the game with just less than five minutes remaining in the quarter.
Tied, 7-7
* Murray State surprised Tech with an onside kick attempt
and nearly recovered the attempt, but the ball squirted out of
bounds before the Racers could gain possession so Tech will take
the ball at the Murray 49 yard line.
* Sweeney hooked up with sophomore Alden Olverson in the right
corner of the end zone to cap a seven-play, 49-yard scoring drive
to put Tech ahead by a touchdown. Tech leads, 14-7
2nd Quarter Notes
* Tech stuffed Murray State's 4th and 2 attempt to take the ball
over on downs. The Racers had moved the ball down the field on the
ground but came up a yard short on the fourth down attempt.
* After driving the ball down to the Racer 34 yard line, Tech was
forced to punt on a 4th and 9, and junior punter Jason Lennartz
came through, pinning Murray State back on their own four yard
line.
* The Golden Eagles forced a 3-and-out by the Racers and got the
ball back just in their territory. Backup quarterback Cass Barnes
came in to start the drive as Tech gave a few option looks. Sweeney
and Barnes are continuing to alternate at quarterback this
drive.
* Barnes kept the ball himself and found the end zone to cap off a
50 yard scoring drive for the Golden Eagles, most of which came on
the ground. Tech leads, 21-7
* On the ensuing kickoff, Kelechi Ordu forced a Racer
fumble on the return which was recovered by Tech's Corbin Miles.
Tech has the ball on the Murray State 39 with a chance to go ahead
by three scores.
* After Barnes was sacked to lose nine yards on the first play from
scrimmage, Sweeney fumbled the ball on an attempted pitch and
Murray State recovered to take over with just under three minutes
remaining in the half.
* Tech got the ball right back as Murray State fumbled and Caleb
Mitchell recovered for Tech. Murray State put a wide receiver in
motion who was hit by the snap as it was going back to the
quarterback, and Mitchell pounced on the loose ball.
* The Golden Eagles drive stalled at the MSU 31 yard line, kicker
Tim Donegan's 48-yard attempt at the distance but was just wide
left.
Halftime Notes
* Halftime leaders for the Golden Eagles include Henry Sailes
with 50 yards on the ground on six carries, Sweeney with 90 yards
through the air and one touchdown and Colin Allen with three
receptions for 42 yards.
* Tech has converted on 4-of-9 on third down and 2-of-2 on fourth
down so far.
* In the first half, Tech got in the red zone three times and have
scored touchdowns each time.
* The Golden Eagles have controlled the ball for 17:42 compared to
12:18 for the Racers.
3rd Quarter Notes
* The Racers received the ball to open the second half, and the
Golden Eagle defense forced three straight incompletions and a
Murray State punt.
* Freshman Zack Zeigler made a big play for the Golden Eagles.
After catching a screen pass, Zeigler out-ran most of the Racer
defense for a 34-yard gain up the left sideline.
* Zeigler's reception set up Cass Barnes' second touchdown run of
the game. Barnes ran around the left corner of the line and found
the end zone from three yards out to put Tech ahead by three
touchdowns. Tech leads, 28-7
* Tech is putting together a nice drive following a Murray
State punt. Tim Benford caught a screen pass from Sweeney and
dragged a Racer defender for seven yards then, then running backs
Dontey Gay and Tremaine Hudson both broke off big runs to get down
to the Murray State seven yard line.
* Derrian Waters just caught his first touchdown pass of the season
in the final game of his Golden Eagle career. A linebacker for most
of the season, Water was switched to fullback -- the position he
played during the 2007 season -- and caught a seven-yard pass to
put Tech up by 28 points. Tech leads, 35-7
* Tech's defense has really shut down the Racer offense in
the second half. The Golden Eagles just forced another punt and
will take over at their own 30 yard line.
* Gay just burst through the left side for a 40 yard dash down the
left sideline. Tech has the ball at the 24 yard line of MSU.
* The Golden Eagles kept the ball on the ground and moved it to the
Murray State five yard line before the drive stalled, and Tech
settled for a 22-yard field goal by Tim Donegan. Tech
leads, 38-7
4th Quarter
* Gay has 102 yards on 10 carries after a 25-yard dash around
the right side to put Tech in Murray State territory. It's Gay's
second 100-yard rushing game of this season.
* The Golden Eagles have moved the ball down the field completely
on the ground, and senior Cedric Wilkerson finished the drive with
his first touchdown of the game. Tech has rushed for 295 yards
today, the most rushing yards this season. Before today, Tech's
most rushing yards in a game came in the season opener against
Pikeville when the Golden Eagles had 245 yards on the ground.
Tech leads, 45-7
* Murray State drove down and scored on a four-yard touchdown pass
with 4:11 remaining in the game. Tech leads,
45-14
* Head coach Watson Brown is giving everyone a chance to play today
as the second and third strings have played much of this fourth
quarter for the Golden Eagles.
* Looks like the Golden Eagles have this game wrapped up and will
finish the season with a 6-5 record. Tech ends the season with a
5-3 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference to finish in second place in
the OVC.
