Tech's Fisher, Fleming earn OVC weekly accolades
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The buzz from Tennessee Tech’s thrilling double-overtime comeback win over Samford on Saturday night had barely faded on Sunday as the accolades started to roll in with sophomore quarterback Bailey Fisher named as the Ohio Valley Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week and true freshman wide receiver Metrius Fleming named the league’s Newcomer of the Week. The weekly awards are voted on by the conference’s sports information contacts.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The buzz from Tennessee Tech's thrilling double-overtime comeback win over Samford on Saturday night had barely faded on Sunday as the accolades started to roll in with sophomore quarterback Bailey Fisher named as the Ohio Valley Conference's Offensive Player of the Week and true freshman wide receiver Metrius Fleming named the league's Newcomer of the Week.
The weekly awards are voted on by the conference's sports information contacts.
The Tech quarterback was an obvious choice as his numbers spoke for themselves. Fisher accounted for 463 yards of total offense, collected five touchdowns (two passing and three rushing) and completing three two-point conversions – all in the final minute of the third quarter onward through the overtime sessions.
Fisher engineered two touchdown drives in the final 1:18 of regulation, as Tech went from a 16-point deficit at the two-minute warning to the QB rushing in for the game-tying two-point conversion.
In the second overtime, following Andrew Goldsmith's 14-yard touchdown run, Fisher completed a two-point strike to David Gist to seal the victory.
The 415 passing yards and 463 yards of total offense were each the third-best performances in Tech program history.
In addition to the offensive plays, Fisher also punted the ball twice for 76 yards, pinning both inside the Samford 20-yard line.
Fleming also made a name for himself in the contest. In the third play of the game, Fleming broke loose for a 66-yard rushing touchdown. Then, during Tech's fourth-quarter heroics, Fleming returned a kickoff 41 yards, setting up a touchdown six plays later.
Fleming ended the game with 108 all-purpose yards.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday as they travel to Miami (Ohio) with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
