Golden Eagles picked first in OVC-Big South preseason poll
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech football team made some incredible strides last season under the direction of head coach Bobby Wilder as the Golden Eagles claimed their 11th Ohio Valley Conference championship among a four-way tie. This season, the Golden Eagles are looking for more and the OVC-Big South coaches agree, knowing the potential is there as Tech was picked first in the combined conferences’ preseason poll on Wednesday. The pick is a huge indicator of growth in just a year’s time, but Wilder isn’t content to rest on the preseason laurels.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech football team made some incredible strides last season under the direction of head coach Bobby Wilder as the Golden Eagles claimed their 11th Ohio Valley Conference championship among a four-way tie.
This season, the Golden Eagles are looking for more and the OVC-Big South coaches agree, knowing the potential is there as Tech was picked first in the combined conferences' preseason poll on Wednesday.
The pick is a huge indicator of growth in just a year's time, but Wilder isn't content to rest on the preseason laurels.
"Last year, we were predicted to finish seventh out of nine teams in the league and we tied for first place," Wilder said. "We are projected to finish in first place in the league. That shows the progress that we have made as a program.
"Preseason is for recognition, postseason is based on performance. Our goal will be to perform on the field in 2025."
The Golden Eagles certainly have gotten their fair share of preseason accolades thus far. Graduate defensive back Tim Coutras was named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America second-team on Tuesday, while Tech earned 13 different spots among 11 student-athletes on the OVC-Big South Preseason Players to Watch.
Those players included senior defensive lineman Hudson Tucker, senior linebacker Aaron Swafford, Coutras, sophomore punter Spencer Ashby, senior all-purpose and kick/punt return specialist Tremel Jones, senior quarterback Kekoa Visperas, sophomore running back Aidan Littles, senior wide receiver Noah Robinson, senior tight end Brian Courtney, senior offensive lineman Drew Wilder and sophomore kicker Dom LeBlanc.
Tech collected five of the nine first-place votes to earn 57 points, edging UT Martin with 56 points and two first-place votes. Southeast Missouri had 53 points with two first-place votes, while the other team in last season's four-way tie for the championship – Tennessee State – was picked eighth with 23 points.
The first-place projection is also the first time since 1978 that the Golden Eagles find themselves atop the OVC preseason projection. Tech was projected second in 2001 and third in 1993 and 1994.
With the preseason honors announced by the leagues, the OVC-Big South will hold its annual Football Media Day on Thursday.
The Golden Eagles open the season on August 30 against Cumberland for the first of seven home games this season at Tucker Stadium as Tech looks to win the OVC-Big South title outright.
Season tickets for Golden Eagle Football are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | TTU Photo Services
