No. 8/10 Tennessee Tech Faces Lindenwood in Key OVC-Big South Road Matchup

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Media Relations

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – No. 8/10 Tennessee Tech is 6-0 for the third time in program history and the first time since 1977, and travels to Lindenwood for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles. The Golden Eagles were picked No. 10 by the FCS playoff selection committee's first top 10 rankings of 2025. The Golden Eagles are looking to clinch back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2000 (8-3) and 2001 (7-3). 

The Golden Eagles (6-0, 3-0) and the Lions match up for the fourth time in series history with Lindenwood (3-3, 0-2) holding a 2-1 advantage. Tech won the most recent matchup in 2024, 52-10 over Lindenwood. In that game, Dylan Laible threw for 119 yards on 13-of-19 passing for one touchdown. RB Jalen Mitchell rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries, averaging 9.8 yards per rush with a long of 35 yards. WR D.J. Linkins led the Golden Eagles with 67 yards on four receptions and one touchdown.

In the last matchup between Tech and Lindenwood, Tech rushed 38 times for 400 yards, led by 128 yards on 13 carries from Jalen Mitchell. In all, the Golden Eagles ran for five touchdowns while averaging 10.5 yards per carry. Aidan Littles, Torin Baker, Jordan Yates and Tyler Wilson also ran for scores, while quarterback Dylan Laible also threw a touchdown strike to D.J. Linkins among his 13 pass completions of 119 yards. In the 2024 matchup, the Golden Eagles compiled 519 yards of total offense, the most since the 2022 game against the Lions, when Tech collected 553 yards of offense, comprising 250 passing yards and 303 rushing yards.

Tennessee Tech holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (11 games). It's also the longest winning streak in program history.

Tennessee Tech at Lindenwood | Game Notes

Tennessee Tech has scored points on the opening drive of the game in each of the first five games this season. The only time the Golden Eagles haven't scored a touchdown on their opening drive was against Western Illinois (10/4), the Golden Eagles settled for a field goal on their opening offensive possession, marking the first time this season that the team did not score a touchdown on their first drive. Tech scored a touchdown at Charleston Southern on its opening drive marking five of six games played.

Tech is averaging a nation's best 51.7 points per game. The Golden Eagles are No. 4 in the nation in rushing offense, averaging an impressive 251.7 yards on the ground per game. Tech is one of the most efficient passing teams in the country, sitting at No. 7 nationally in that category (102.61).

QB Kekoa Visperas is tied for 10th nationally in passing touchdowns (14) leading the conference. He leads the conference in passing efficiency (157.7), passing touchdowns (14), second in passing yards (1,338). Visperas is third in the conference in completion percentage (64.6). Running backs Quintell Quinn and Q'Daryius Jennings are tied for second in the OVC-Big South in rushing touchdowns (6). Wide receiver Noah Robinson is tied for first in the conference with five receiving touchdowns (5). WR Luke Shields is tied for second in the conference with three touchdown grabs, and tight end Brian Courtney is tied for second with three receiving TD.

The Golden Eagles have been stingy defensively, boasting the nation's No. 1 rush defense, allowing just 51.2 yards on the ground per game. Tech has scored three touchdowns on defense, which is tied for second nationally. The Golden Eagles are tied for second in scoring defense, surrendering just 12.0 points per game.  Tech is third in total defense allowing 243 yards per game.

Tech faces Lindenwood for OVC-Big South Road action with a kickoff set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. Oct.18. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and listened to on 106.1 The Eagle with Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst) on the call.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION                                                                                                       

Matchup: No. 8/10 Tennessee Tech (6-0, 3-0) at Lindenwood (3-3, 2-0)  

Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. CT

Venue: Hunter Stadium

Location: St. Charles, Mo.  

TV: ESPN+ - Bob Ramsey (PxP) and Zach Cook (Analyst)

Radio: 106.1 The Eagle – Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1st – Tech has the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation among FCS teams (51.7 ppg)
• T-2nd – Tied for No. 2 scoring defense in FCS, allowing 12.0 points per game.
• 4th – Tech averages 251.7 rushing yards per game, the 4th most in the nation.
• 4th – The Golden Eagles have the No. 4 total defense in the nation, allowing just 249.8 yards per game.
• 6-0: The Golden Eagles opened a season 6-0 for the first time since 1977
• 7th – The AFCA Coaches Poll ranking is the highest in FCS/DI AA program history.
• 10th – The Golden Eagles were picked 10th in the first FCS Playoff Committee Rankings (10/15).
• 11 – The Golden Eagles hold the longest active winning streak in FCS (11 games)
• 60 – Tech has scored more than 60 points in three games this season (65, 72, 66)
• 72 – 72 points against Davidson marks the most points scored by Tech in the modern era (since 1928).

SERIES HISTORY: No. 8/10 Tennessee Tech football is 6-0 for the third time in program history, and the first time since 1977. The Golden Eagles leave the state of Tennessee for a second time this season with a matchup against Lindenwood (3-3, 2-0). The Golden Eagles and the Lions match up for the fourth time in series history with Lindenwood holding a 2-1 advantage. Tech won the most recent matchup in 2024, 52-10 over Lindenwood. In that game, Dylan Laible threw for 119 yards on 13-of-19 passing for one touchdown. RB Jalen Mitchell rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries, averaging 9.8 yards per rush with a long of 35 yards. WR D.J. Linkins led the Golden Eagles with 67 yards on four receptions and one touchdown. The Golden Eagles rushed for 400 yards and held Lindenwood to just 68 yards rushing. Tech outgained Lindenwood 519 to 249 in total yards of offense

LAST GAME: No. 7 Tennessee Tech football defeated the weather and Charleston Southern 27-13 on the road Saturday in Charleston, S.C. The No. 7 Golden Eagles improve to 6-0 on the season with the 14-point win over Charleston Southern (1-6, 0-3). It is the first time since 1977 that the Tech football team has been 6-0 and the third time in program history. A team that starts fast and has been outscoring opponents 87-10 in the first quarter and 173 to 35 in the first half was held to 20 first-half points in part by the weather. In total, the Golden Eagles rushed for 240 yards, continuing to show their dominance in the run game this season. Tech held CSU to just three points in the second half and limited it to just 63 yards rushing in the 14-point victory to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 1977. It was an all-out rushing attack for the Golden Eagles, with QB Kekoa Visperas leading the team in rushing for the second consecutive week with 72 yards. Visperas added 157 yards passing and one touchdown on 17-of-27. Aidan Littles dashed one way and went back the other on a touchdown run for his only TD rush of the game. He finished with 49 yards on just five carries, with 9.8 yards per touch. Quintell Quinn rushed for 47 yards on 12 carries as the Charleston Southern defense found a way to keep Tech's star tailback in check. Obie Sanni rushed for one touchdown on seven carries with 38 yards, and Q'Daryius Jennings also punched in a TD during his six-carry, 31-yard performance.Tennessee Tech took a 20-10 lead into the half on two first-half touchdown scores from Kekoa Visperas, with a two-yard toss to Maury Sullivan and a six-yard rush by Obie Sanni, his second touchdown of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Golden Eagles took the ball second and continued to score on first drives, moving the ball on seven plays for 40 yards over 2:44 to cap the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass from Visperas to Maury Sullivan. It marked the only passing touchdown of the game for Tech. A field goal by CSU cut into the lead 7-3, but the Golden Eagles responded with a six-play 68-yard drive, and Sanni punched in his second rushing touchdown of the season, giving Tech a 13-3 advantage after the extra point was missed. CSU cut the lead to three with a touchdown pass, making it 13-10 Tech. The Golden Eagles drove right down the field, 75 yards, and Jennings capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown run. Aidan Littles started off to the left and cut back to the right, breaking away for a 16-yard touchdown to put the Golden Eagles up for good, 27-13.

FCS PLAYOFF SELECTION COMMITTEE RANKINGS: The Golden Eagles have been picked 10th in the first ever FCS Playoff Selection committee rankings. Seven weeks of the 2025 FCS football season are in the books, with six weeks of action remaining. That's about the halfway point, so there's no better time for the Division I Football Championship Committee to reveal its first in-season top-10 rankings of the FCS teams.  The rankings were announced shortly after 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 15 on ESPN2's College Football Live broadcast. The committee used results of games played through Oct. 11, and these in-season rankings serve as a snapshot as to where the committee has teams ranked heading into the final six weeks of the regular season. The committee's top-10 rankings give insight into which teams are in contention for the first-round byes given to the eight seeded teams in the FCS playoff bracket. Like last year, teams are seeded Nos. 9-16 will also be seeded, increasing the importance of the last two teams ranked in the committee's rankings. Click or tap here for more on this year's FCS Championship. Here are the top 10 rankings, along with a breakdown of each team, as of games played on Oct. 11.

Rank    School                               Record
1             North Dakota                   6-0
2             South Dakota                   6-0
3             Tarleton State                  7-0
4             Montana State                 5-2
5             Montana                          6-0
6             UC Davis                         5-1
7             Lehigh                            7-0
8             North Dakota                   4-2
9             Monmouth                       5-1
10           Tennessee Tech             6-0 

3-0 IN CONFERENCE: The Golden Eagles have opened OVC-Big South Conference Play 3-0 for the first time since 2011 when the team rattled off wins over Eastern Illinois (31-20), SEMO (38-31), and UT Martin (34-31) to open the conference slate of games. Tech has opened with wins over Tennessee State (W, 35-8), Western Illinois (W, 66-20), and Charleston Southern (W, 27-13).

OVC-BIG SOUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Tennessee Tech quarterback Kekoa Visperas has been named OVC-Big South Offensive Player of the Week following the 66-20 victory over Western Illinois, as announced today by the conference.  Visperas led an offense that was clicking on all cylinders for 618 yards of total offense, the most in a game this season. Visperas threw for 358 yards and four touchdowns on 24-38 (63.2%) passing with no interceptions and was unstoppable all game. In all, Visperas went off for 431 yards of total offense (358 passing, 73 rushing). Visperas threw the fourth-most passing yards in FCS during Week 6. This is the second honor of its kind for Visperas since joining Tennessee Tech, and it is the fourth overall OVC-Big South Player of the Week selection for the Golden Eagles.

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 an offense that scored eight touchdowns, the third most in a single game in program history.  The redshirt senior from Eatonville, Washington, completed the most passes (24) on the most attempts (38), for the most yards (358) and most touchdowns (4) in a single game this season. Visperas has been outstanding at the quarterback position for Tennessee Tech, throwing for 13 touchdowns with just one interception this year. Visperas' 13 passing touchdowns are tied for fourth nationally. He has thrown for 1,197 yards, marking the 22nd-most in FCS.

2024 vs. 2025: The Golden Eagles have taken a large step forward in major statistical categories from 2024 to 2025.

MR. ROBINSON: WR Noah Robinson is tied for fourth nationally in touchdown receptions (5). Robinson is tied for first in the conference with Rico Bond (Lindenwood) with five. He is 11th in the OVC-Big South with 332 receiving yards. Robinson made three touchdown grabs against Western Illinois, marking the most touchdown catches in a game since 2012 when Da'Rick Rogers caught three TD vs. SEMO. In that 2012 matchup with SEMO, Rogers went off for a school record 303 receiving yards. Robinson posted the first 100-plus-yard receiving game for the Golden Eagles this season. He recorded 122 of his 126 receiving yards in the first half, marking the most in a half and game this year. He was one touchdown catch shy of a single-game school record.

GOLDEN MILESTONES: The Golden Eagles have started 6-0 for the third time in program history (1952, 1977, and 2025). Tech opened the 1977 campaign with eight straight wins and finished 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the OVC. Tech has won 10 straight games marking the longest active winning streak in FCS and setting the longest winning streak in program history. Tennessee Tech enters today's contest ranked No. 8 by the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 8 by the StatsPerform Top 25. The No. 7 ranking is the highest ranking in FCS/DI AA program history. The Golden Eagles were selected 10th by the first-ever FCS Playoff Committee.

Program Rankings All-Time
College Division Era (1958-1974)
1960                      UPI (10/6, No. 14; 10/27, No. 20; 11/17, No. 19)
1963                      UPI (10/2, No. 13; 10/9, No. 11)
1971                      AP (9/22, No. 20)
                             UPI (11/3, No. 19)
1972                      UPI (Preseason, No. 21; 9/13, No. 11; 9/27, No. 18; 10/25, No. 16; 11/1, No. 11; 11/8, No. 8; 11/15, No. 8; 11/22, No. 8

Division II Era (1975-1977)
1976                      AP (10/20, No. 9; 10/27, No. 6)
1977                      AP (9/21, No. 10; 9/28, No. 7; 10/5, No. 11; 10/12, No. 9; 10/19, No. 7; 10/26, No. 6; 11/2, T-No. 3; 11/9, No. 7)

Division I-AA (1978-2005)
1990                      1-AA (10/16, No. 18; 10/23, No. 18)
1993                      1-AA (11/17, No. 24; 11/24, No. 22; 12/1, No. 22)
1994                      TSN (Preseason, No. 18; 9/7, No. 16; 9/14, No. 18; 9/21, No. 16; 9/28, No. 11; 10/5, No. 20)
1999                      TSN (10/26, No. 23)
2000                      TSN (11/14, No. 24; 11/21, No. 22; Final, No. 22)
2001                     TSN (11/20, No. 23; 11/27, No. 23; Final, No. 23)

Football Championship Subdivision (2006-present)
2011                      TSN (10/3, No. 23; 10/10, No. 19; 10/24, No. 25; 10/31, No. 20; 11/14, No. 23)
                             FCS Coaches (10/3, No. 23; 10/10, No. 19; 10/17, No. 23; 10/24, No. 19; 10/31, No. 15; 11/7, No. 20; 11/14, No. 21; 11/21, No. 20) 2020-21
                             STATS Perform (2/22, No. 23)

2025                     StatsPerform (9/6; No. 17, 9/13; No. 15; 9/27; No. 13, 10/6; No. 10, 10/13; No. 8)
                             AFCA Coaches Poll (9/6; No. 20, 9/13; No. 16, 9/27; No. 11, 10/6; No. 7, 10/13; No. 8)
                             FCS Playoff Committee (10/15; No. 10)

SCOARING EAGLES: The Tennessee Tech offense has scored more points than any team in program history through the first six games of a season (245 points). It marks the first time breaking the 100-plus point mark since 2007 (124) and the most since that season. With 66 points against Western Illinois, the Golden Eagles have scored 283 total points, marking the most scored through five games in modern program history since 1977. The Golden Eagles have scored over 60 points three times in five games played this season, and 35-plus points in all five games. In five wins to begin the season, Tech has scored 283 points, and during the 2024 season-ending five-game winning streak, the Golden Eagles scored 140 points. That's 450 total points over 11 consecutive wins (40.9 ppg), while allowing 127 total points during that run (11.5 ppg).

Scoring Offense National Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                                    PPG     
1             Tennessee Tech                  51.7
2             UTRGV                                 48.7
3             Harvard                               48.2
4             Tarleton State                       47.4
5             Monmouth                            44.7

Total Offense National Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                                    YPG     
1             Monmouth                            554.3
2             UTRGV                                 533.5
3             Tennessee Tech                  509.7
4             North Dakota State               501.3
5             Jackson State                       496.0

LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK IN FCS: Tech currently holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (11 games), marking the longest winning streak in program history (1972). For perspective, North Dakota State holds the longest winning streak in FCS history, 39 games from 2017 to 2020. The longest winning streak in OVC history was 18 wins by Eastern Kentucky from 1982-83.

Overall
11 – Tennessee Tech
10 – NDSU, Presbyterian
7 – Lehigh, Tarleton St
6 – Montana, SDSU

Home
33 – SDSU
18 – Villanova
16 – NDSU
12 – Rhode Island

Road
5 – Harvard, Presbyterian
4 – Tarleton St, Tennessee Tech

DOMINANT DEFENSE: The Golden Eagles' defense allowed one touchdown to Charleston Southern, marking only the seventh TD allowed this season. Tech has held its opponents under 20 points in five of six contests (20 vs. Western Illinois, 10/4). The Golden Eagles are first nationally in yards allowed per play, surrendering just 3.70 yards on each play to the opposition. Tech is third nationally in total yards allowed per game, surrendering just 243.0 total yards.

Scoring Defense National Leaders
Rk          Team                                    Points Allowed Per Game   
1             North Dakota State               10.5
2             Harvard                               12.0
               Tennessee Tech                  12.0
4             UTRGV                                 14.3
5             South Dakota State               14.7

Defensive TDs Nationally Leaders
Rk          Team                                    TD         
1             Eastern Kentucky                  4
               Tarleton State                       4
3             Furman                                3
               Harvard                               3
               Lamar                                  3
               SFA                                      3
               Tennessee Tech                   3

FLY EAGLES FLY: Tech's offense is one of the prolific in the country, leading the nation in scoring offense (51.7 ppg), sitting at No. 3 in total offense, averaging 509.7 yards per game; 4th in rushing offense (251.7), No. 7 in team passing efficiency (102.6) and No. 24 in passing offense (258.0). The Golden Eagles are 14th in red zone offense, converting 92.6% of the time.

More national rankings can be found below.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE NATIONAL RANKINGS (FCS Through Games 10/11/25)
Rank - Stat           
No. 1 - Scoring Offense (51.7)
No. 1 - Rushing Defense (51.2)
t-2 - Scoring Defense (11.8)
No. 3 - Total Offense (509.7)
No. 3 - Total Defense (243.0)
No. 4 - Rushing Offense (251.7)
No. 7 - Passing Defense (102.6)
No. 10 - First Down Defense (89)
No. 11 - Passing Efficiency (166.6)
No. 14 - Red Zone Offense (92.6)
t-16 - Turnover Margin (0.67)

IN THE TOP 25: The Golden Eagles are No. 8 in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Poll and No. 8 in the StatsPerform FCS Top 25. The No. 7 ranking a week ago was the highest in the program's FCS/DI history, since joining the ranks in 1978. The last time the program was ranked in the Top 10 by any poll was during the DII era (1975-77).

GIVE HIM THE GAME BALL: Tennessee Tech quarterback Kekoa Visperas has been given a Walter Camp Game Ball following the 66-20 victory over Western Illinois, as announced today by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Visperas led an offense that was clicking on all cylinders for 618 yards of total offense, the most in a game this season. Visperas threw for 358 yards and four touchdowns on 24-38 (63.2%) passing with no interceptions and was unstoppable all game. In all, Visperas went off for 431 yards of total offense (358 passing, 73 rushing). This is the first honor of its kind for Visperas since joining Tennessee Tech. 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 an offense that scored eight touchdowns, the third most in a single game in program history.  The redshirt senior from Eatonville, Washington, completed the most passes (24) on the most attempts (38), for the most yards (358) and most touchdowns (4) in a single game this season. Visperas has been outstanding at the quarterback position for Tennessee Tech, throwing for 13 touchdowns with just one interception this year. Visperas' 13 passing touchdowns are tied for fourth nationally. He has thrown for 1,197 yards this season, marking the 22nd-most in FCS.

NEW EAGLES IN THE NEST: 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 the OVC-Big South recognized 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.

STATE 16: The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles have 41 players on their roster from the great state of Tennessee. Clayton Harris (DL), Tayton Swift (DB), Timothy Jones (DB), Jay'un Smith (DB), Mason Goree (DB), Alex Delk (OL), Wes Delk (OL), Thomas Johnson (DB), Mason Taylor (DB), Branson Turnbow (WR), Aaron Swafford (LB), Kade Butler (QB), D.J. Curll (LB), Dom Reed (LB), Luke Meyer (DL), Torin Baker (RB), Tyler Nix (TE), Jameson Wharton (DB), Robbie Jacobs (WR), Seth Vaughn (DL), Keilan Harris (LB), Aja Jones (WR), Xavier Randolph (DL), Cameron Booker (WR), Theron Gaines (DL), Armaan Lehal (OL), Ethan McLaurin (DL), Eric Taylor (DB), Richard Bryant (DB), Derrick Burroughs (DB), D'Arious Reed (WR), Tim Coutras (DB), Zion Tamaska (RB), Coby Walton (QB), Xavier Hickman (DL), Nick Owns Jr. (WR), Aidan Littles (RB), Isaac Knowles (WR), Isaac Jackson (RB), C.J. Wyller (DL), Tucker Kyne (TE).

THE SERGEANT YORK TROPHY: The Golden Eagles began 1-0 in this year's Sr. York Trophy series with a 35-8 win over Tennessee State (9/27). This year marks the 19th year of the Sgt. York Championship presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee. The trophy (founded in 2007 by the Nashville Sports Council and OVC) goes to the winner of the season football series between the three OVC football-playing schools located in the state of Tennessee (Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, and UT Martin). The award is only the second traveling trophy that involves more than two teams in college sports; the other is the Commander in Chief's Trophy, which has been contested between Air Force, Army, and Navy annually since 1972. The award is named in honor of Alvin C. York, the most noted Soldier of World War I. As a corporal in the 2nd battalion, 328th Infantry, in the Battle of the Meuse River-Argonne (Oct. 8, 1918), York and seven other soldiers captured 132 prisoners, was promoted to sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy and the War Medal of Montenegro. Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor. The trophy goes to the team with the best record against the other schools (in case of a tie there will be co-champions and the actual trophy will be retained by the defending champion if they are involved in the tie or if the defending champion is not involved in the tie it will go to the institution that has gone the most seasons without winning the trophy).

THE SERGEANT YORK TROPHY WINNERS
2007 - Tennessee State*, Austin Peay
2008 - Tennessee State
2009 - Tennessee Tech
2010 - UT Martin
2011 - Tennessee State*, Tennessee Tech
2012 - Tennessee State*, UT Martin
2013 - Tennessee State
2014 - UT Martin
2015 - UT Martin
2016 - UT Martin*, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State
2017 - Austin Peay
2018 - Austin Peay*, Tennessee State, UT Martin
2019 - Austin Peay*, Tennessee State, UT Martin
2020-21 - Tennessee Tech*, UT Martin
2021 - UT Martin 2022 - UT Martin
2023 - UT Martin
2024 - Tennessee Tech *Took home the trophy due to winning the tiebreaker

GOLDEN EAGLE FOOTBALL HOME TIMES ADJUSTED TO NOON: Progress is being made on the new Tucker Stadium on the Tennessee Tech campus, continuing the spirit of growth and renewal at the University. However, as the construction project continues, the start times for all Tennessee Tech home football games have been adjusted to 12 PM Central starts, with the first six home contests now scheduled to begin at earlier times. The season finale against UT Martin will remain at its originally scheduled noon kickoff. The reasoning is simple – with the construction project continuing and lights being taken down around the facility for the duration of the build, this will allow fans ample time to cheer on the Golden Eagle football team and exit the facility before sunset, keeping them safe as they enter and exit the stadium. Tech was picked first last week in the Ohio Valley Conference/Big South Conference Projected Order of Finish after ending the 2024 campaign in a tie for first place for their 11th league championship in program history. 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.