Tech Football Starts 5-0 for 3rd Time in Program History with 66-20 win Over Western Illinois
Tennessee Tech took down Western Illinois 66-20 to improve to 5-0 to start a season for the third time in program history on Saturday at Tucker Stadium.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
|
|
10 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 66 |
Team Stats
Western Illinois
| Game Statistics | Western Illinois | #9/#11 Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 343 | 452 |
| Rushing Yards | 32 | 166 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of Poss. | 32:15 | 27:45 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech took down Western Illinois 66-20 to improve to 5-0 to start a season for the third time in program history on Saturday at Tucker Stadium.
The Golden Eagles (5-0, 2-0) improve to 5-0 with a 66-20 victory over the Leathernecks (1-5, 0-2) from Western Illinois to win 10 straight games, marking the longest active winning streak in FCS. Tech has also reached uncharted waters, becoming just the third team in program history to begin a season 5-0, and the first since 1977.
QB Kekoa Visperas led an offense that was clicking on all cylinders, racking up 618 yards of total offense, the most in a game this season. Visperas threw for 358 yards and four touchdowns on 24-38 passing with no interceptions and was unstoppable all game.
Visperas also led the Golden Eagles in rushing yards with 73 on eight carries, averaging 9.1 yards per carry with a long of 29 yards. Aidan Littles (22 yards), Quintell Quinn (13 yards), and Obie Sanni (9 yards) accounted for three rushing touchdowns for Tech.
WR Noah Robinson made just seven catches but averaged 18.0 yards per catch for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Robinson is the first Tech wide out since 2012 to make three touchdown receptions in a single game (Da'Rick Rodgers vs. SEMO, 2012). The Golden Eagles scored eight offensive touchdowns in a single game for the first time in program history. It marks the second-most offensive touchdowns this season, after scoring nine against Davidson (72 total points) on Sept. 13.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tech held WIU to just 18 first downs. The Leathernecks managed just 32 yards rushing on 23 attempts (1.4 yards per rush). The Golden Eagles did allow 375 total yards, marking the most allowed to an opponent this season and the first time the opposition had more than 290 total yards of offense.
LB Aaron Swafford led the Golden Eagles with six tackles (3 solo, 3 assists) and two QB hurries. DB Tim Coutras made five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist), recovered one fumble that he returned for 14 yards and almost took to the house, and two pass breakups.
Andrew Smith picked off a pass and took it 16 yards for a touchdown, marking his second straight game with a pick six and the Golden Eagles' third straight contest with an interception returned for a TD. The Golden Eagles recorded 10 tackles for a loss of 43 yards, 4 sacks (-25), one fumble, and one interception.
Tennessee Tech has started the season 5-0 for the third time in program history (1952, 1977, and 2025).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Dom LeBlanc opened the scoring for the Golden Eagles with a 36-yard field goal, capping a seven-play 50-yard drive that took 2:40 on the first drive of the game for Tech. It was the first time this season that an opening drive for the Golden Eagles did not result in a touchdown.
Western Illinois responded and grabbed the lead with a passing touchdown by Cason Carswell, putting the Golden Eagles in unfamiliar territory, trailing for the first time this season, 7-3.
Tech trailed for just 1:50 as a six-play 75-yard drive was capped with a touchdown pass from Visperas to Robinson, moving the home team back in front 10-7 through one quarter.
After the Golden Eagles' defense forced a three-and-out, making the Leathernecks punt on their second possession, Visperas once again connected with Robinson for a 31-yard touchdown pass to cap a five-play 48-yard drive, extending the lead to 17-7.
Western Illinois got as close as seven points twice (17-10; 11:23 in 2Q and 24-17; 7:25 in 2Q), but Tennessee Tech outscored the visitors 28-3 in the second half to walk away to a 66-20 victory.
NEXT UP
Tennessee Tech hits the road at Charleston Southern for the first of two straight road games on Oct. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and listened to live on 106.1 The Eagle.
PURCHASE TICKETS
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.
