No. 21 Golden Eagles open season Saturday vs. Cumberland
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The wait is over as the Tennessee Tech Football team gets set to take the field on Saturday afternoon for the first time this season as the FCS No. 21-ranked Golden Eagles host Cumberland. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will have the radio call on 106.1 The Eagle, while Dylan Vazzano and Sam Brooks will narrate the action on ESPN+ (subscription required).
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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21 | 24 | 7 | 13 | 65 |
Team Stats
Cumberland
| Game Statistics | Cumberland | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 40 | 284 |
| Rushing Yards | 64 | 286 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of Poss. | 28:34 | 26:19 |
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
Game Notes: Game 1 vs. Cumberland
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The wait is over as the Tennessee Tech Football team gets set to take the field on Saturday afternoon for the first time this season as the FCS No. 21-ranked Golden Eagles host Cumberland.
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will have the radio call on 106.1 The Eagle, while Dylan Vazzano and Sam Brooks will narrate the action on ESPN+ (subscription required).
The history against Cumberland stretches back to the Golden Eagles' inaugural season in 1922 – a 6-6 tie against their neighbors from Cumberland with five straight losses between 1924 and 1927. Tech, however, has won seven of the last eight, including the last two since the Cumberland program rose from the ashes like their Phoenix namesake.
Tech won the 2007 meeting 45-21 and the 2013 contest 63-7.
Speaking of Cumberland's return, legendary Tennessean coach Nick Coutras helmed the Phoenix's return in 1989 as he was tasked with bringing the historic program back to college football after it disbanded in 1949. If the last name sounds familiar, it should – Nick Coutras is the grandfather of Tech's Buck Buchanan Award watch lister and multiple Preseason All-American in graduate defensive back Tim Coutras, bringing an interesting familial connection to the contest.
The Phoenix finished 7-3 last season, including a 3-3 mark in the NAIA's Mid-South Conference. CU is on the outside looking in of the NAIA Football Coaches' Preseason Top 25.
Zach Holtzclaw is penciled in as the starting quarterback for Cumberland after Luke Holloway wrapped up his time in Lebanon. Jacob Cornejo rushed for 538 yards and five touchdowns to return as the team's top returner at running back. Jarrius Rogers is a triple threat, catching six touchdown passes with 426 yards, while also being listed as an option on punt and kick returns.
Boston Follis at linebacker led Cumberland in tackles last season with 67, along with two sacks and seven tackles-for-loss for 30 yards. The Phoenix will miss the production of Dez Wallace, who had nine TFLs for 50 yards and six sacks for 38 yards a year ago, as well as the pass disruption ability of Kion Threalkill, who had three of CU's eight interceptions.
It'll be a great warmup for the Golden Eagles, who were the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference/Big South for the first time since the OVC started preseason polls in 1978 after sharing last season's title with Southeast Missouri, UT Martin and Tennessee State – Tech claiming victories over the Skyhawks and the Tigers to earn the Sergeant York Trophy.
There are a lot of new faces on the Golden Eagle lineup as head coach Bobby Wilder has used the transfer portal to Tech's advantage, bringing in a lot of talent – not just on the field, but off with 32 total players on the roster with degrees – with experienced student-athletes.
Behind center, quarterback Kekoa Visperas is an exciting addition to the lineup after a fantastic season at Eastern Washington last year, where he had the nation's best completion percentage at 74.3, throwing for 2,171 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for nine more scores.
D.J. Linkins and Tremel Jones return for another tour of duty on the receivers core, but will be joined by Robert Morris transfer Noah Robinson, who was an All-OVC/Big South selection with the Colonials. Aidan Littles had a breakout season last year at running back and will be teamed with Murray State transfer Q'Daryius Jennings.
On defense, the Golden Eagles were dealt a blow with the departures of defensive lineman Daniel Rickert and cornerback Caldra Williford following the spring workouts, but Tech has incredible depth on defense with Tim Coutras, Omari Philyaw, Toby Bolton and Leon Thomas anchoring the secondary, Aaron Swafford and Theron Gaines at linebacker, Jalin Shephard at nickel and a strong defensive front with Xavier Randolph, Jeremiah Sandiford, Kanstin Brooks, Maurice LaPierre, A.J. Crawford, Tyler Swann, Chima Iwuagwu and Idris King.
On special teams, Jones – who was recognized by the OVC-Big South as a punt returner, kick returner and all-purpose player – will be a big weapon for the Golden Eagles on returns, while Dom LeBlanc returns as kicker and Spencer Ashby on punts.
The Golden Eagles are as deep as they've ever been before, giving tremendous optimism for the start of the 2025 campaign. The sky is definitely the limit and Tech is aiming higher than before.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech Football are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
