July 22, 2011

Golden Eagle Football Countdown: Home opening game vs. Maryville Scots

Are you ready for Golden Eagle football? With fall camp just around the corner (17 days), we're counting down the days to the start of The Fastest 60 Minutes in Football with a look at each of Tech's 2010 opponents.

Are you ready for Golden Eagle football? With fall camp just around the corner, we're counting down the days to the start of The Fastest 60 Minutes in Football. Do you have your season tickets yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Please call (931) 372-3940 to order your tickets.

With 42 days to go until the pigskin (officially) flies through the air for the first time, we'll be previewing all 10 TTU opponents here on TTUsports.com.

Countdown to camp: 17 days
Countdown to season opener: 42 days
Countdown to home opener: 47 days

Game 2

Who: Maryville College Scots
What: Game 2, Home Opener
When: Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m. CT
Where: Tucker Stadium, Cookeville, Tenn.
Events: Communiversity Night, First Tennessee Poster Night

For many Golden Eagle fans, the Thursday night game against Maryville College on Sept. 8 will be their first opportunity to see the team in action, and the game could provide some fireworks -- literally. Following the game, a dazzling fireworks display is scheduled to light the night sky over the TTU campus.

But, between the lines the Golden Eagles will take on a potent Maryville Scots team that is looking for an upset when they move up to the Football Championship Subdivision to face Tech for the first time since 1948. Tech and Maryville met three times during the decade of the 40s, with the Golden Eagles winning all three.

Founded in 1819, nearly 100 years before Tech was established, Maryville College is a member of the NCAA Division III USA South Conference. Head coach Tony Ierulli is in his ninth season with the programs, posting a 4-6 mark a year ago and a 35-45 record in his eight years.

Seven returning all-USA South performers return in 2011 to headline the Scots, including all-America candidate Wesley Idlette at wide receiver. Quarterbacks Tim Conner and Dustin Williams have combined to pass for more than 4,000 career yards and 30 touchdowns. Idlette, a 6-1, 185 pound senior, is one of eight experienced receivers who return, bringing more than 3,800 receiving yards and 287 career recptions, while the team's backfield will feature runningbacks Travis Felder and Chad Brooks. Brooks, a 5-foot-8, 185 pound sophomore, had 304 yards on 71 carrie. Felder, a 5-6, 195 pound sophomore, added 295 yards on 82 tries.

Defensively, Jamie Owen, Blake Barnes, Bud Christy, G.L. Waynick, Alex Anderson and Kane Crowell return a combined 399 career tackles over their tenure in the orange and garnet. Owen, a 6-foot, 215 pound defensive end, was second on the team with 59 total tackles last year including 11 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 quarterback sacks. Barnes, a 6-2, 255 pound senior tackle, had 55 total tackles and topped the team with 13.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks. Christy and Anderson each posted two interceptions last season.

The game will be a homecoming for two members of the Maryville roster. Senior Brad Eich, a 5-10, 260 pound offensive center, is a graduate of Cookeville High School who played for the Cavaliers. Joining the Scots in 2011 will be Bryson Welch, a freshman defensive back who prepped at Monterey High School.