No. 8 Golden Eagles Host Gardner-Webb in Pivotal Tilt on Homecoming

By Jeff Bowe, TTU Media Relations

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – No. 8 Tennessee Tech is 8-0 for the third time in program history and 5-0 in conference play for the first time in program history, and hosts Gardner-Webb (5-3, 3-1) at 12 p.m. at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn. Tech is looking to become the first team to start 6-0 in OVC-Big South Association games during the league's existence.

The Golden Eagles are looking to become the first-ever team to start 6-0 in Association games during the league's existence. Tennessee Tech is 8-0 for the third time in program history (1952, 1977, 2025), and its best start since 1977 (8-0). TTU's 13-straight wins is the longest winning streak in program history. This is the sixth matchup with Gardner-Webb in program history, with Tech holding a 3-2 lead in the all-time series.

Tech won the most recent matchup 52-21 in 2024. In that game, RB Aidan Littles rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries, averaging 11.8 yards per rush in the victory. Tech used a 21-point third quarter to pull away from the Bulldogs. Tech is 3-1 at home in series history against GWU.

The Golden Eagles have swapped wins and losses with GWU, taking the first matchup (2004; W, 32-26), dropping the second contest (2006; L, 26-30), winning the third (2008; W, 28-12), losing the fourth (2023; L, 0-35), and winning the fifth game in series history (2024; W, 52-21). Tech is looking to become the first team in series history to win two straight games.

Tennessee Tech vs. Gardner-Webb (RV) | Game Notes

Tech's offense leads the nation in points per game (50.5), in part due to the nation's third-best rushing attack that averages 244.6 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Eagles are 9th in the country in total offense, averaging 480.1 yards per contest.

QB Kekoa Visperas is seventh in the nation with 19 touchdown passes this season, a mark that is the second-most in a single season in program history.

The Golden Eagles have been strong defensively, leading the OVC-Big South in sacks (28), interceptions (9), and fifth in the conference in fumbles recovered (7). Tech has led the nation in rush defense since the beginning week of the season, allowing just 43.0 yards per game on the ground.

The game can be watched on ESPN+ with Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Sam Brooks (Analyst) on the call and listened to on 106.1 The Eagle with Noah McKay (PxP), Justin Matheney (Analyst), and Jacob Vinson (Sideline) on the broadcast.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION 

Matchup: No. 8 Tennessee Tech (8-0, 5-0) vs. Gardner-Webb (5-3, 3-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 1 at 12 p.m. CT
Venue: Tucker Stadium
Location: Cookeville, Tenn.  
TV: ESPN+ - Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Sam Brooks (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle – Noah McKay (PxP), Justin Matheney (Analyst), and Jacob Vinson (Sideline)

BY THE NUMBERS

• 1st – Tech has the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation among FCS teams (50.5 ppg)
• 1st – Leading the nation in point differential, scoring 50.5 ppg and allowing just 15.4 (4th in FCS)
• 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 271.3 yards per game.
• 5-0 – Tech is the second team to start conference play 5-0 in OVC-Big South existence.
• 8-0: The Golden Eagles opened the season 8-0 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).
• 13 – The Golden Eagles hold the longest active winning streak in FCS (13 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 Tech has scored in the modern era (since 1928).

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee Tech is 3-2 all-time in the matchup history with Gardner-Webb. The Golden Eagles won the most recent matchup 52-21 in 2024. RB Aidan Littles rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries, averaging 11.8 yards per rush in the victory. Tech used a 21-point third quarter to pull away from the Bulldogs. Tech is 3-1 at home in the series history against GWU. The Golden Eagles have swapped wins and losses with GWU, taking the first matchup (2004; W, 32-26), dropping the second contest (2006; L, 26-30), winning the third (2008; W, 28-12), losing the fourth (2023; L, 0-35), and winning the fifth game in series history (2024; W, 52-21). Tech is looking to become the first team in series history to win two straight games.  

LAST GAME: No. 8 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles continue a historic run to 8-0 and 5-0 in conference with a 42-23 victory over Southeast Missouri Saturday at Tucker Stadium. It is the second time in OVC-Big South Association history that a football team has begun conference play 5-0. Tennessee Tech has won 13 consecutive games, marking the longest active winning streak in FCS, and remains the only undefeated team left in the OVC-Big South Conference. It marks the first time this season that the Golden Eagles were outgained in total offense (401-299) by an opponent.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Tech came through with big defensive plays, including an interception by Andrew Smith and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the end zone by Chima Iwuagwu, which helped a 21 fourth quarter to pull away.  It is the first time since 1977 and the third time in program history that a Tech football program has started 8-0. In 1977, the Golden Eagles began 8-0 and dropped game nine (L, 21-28) to Eastern Kentucky on the road. In 1952, Tech began the season 9-0 and dropped its first game (L, 7-19) to Middle Tennessee in game 10 at home. The Golden Eagles played solid defense once again, holding SEMO to 20 yards rushing with four sacks for a loss of 19 yards alongside 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles (1 recovery), and one interception. Kekoa Visperas threw two touchdowns on 12-23 completions for 163 yards in a game that began as a defensive battle through the first half. The Golden Eagles led just 7-0 through one quarter and limited SEMO to only two field goals in the entire half, leading 21-6 at the break. The rushing game was limited for the first time all season as SEMO sold out to stop the run. Q'Daryius Jennings rushed for two touchdowns but only 37 yards on seven carries (5.3 ypc) for the game. Aidan Littles rushed for 33 yards on five carries, averaging 6.6 yards per rush, and caught one touchdown, a 14-yard pass from Visperas. Quintell Quinn was the only other Golden Eagle to record a rushing touchdown, as he totaled 32 yards on seven carries. Tre' Holloway led the Golden Eagles in receiving yards with three catches for 38 yards, and Tremel Jones took an out pattern spun through two defenders and into the end zone for a TD alongside three receptions for 27 yards. One of the highlights of the game was when defensive lineman Chima Iwuagwu pounced on a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, marking the fourth defensive touchdown by Tech this season and the first since joining the Golden Eagles. The fumble recovery by Iwuagwu was part of a 21-point fourth quarter that lifted the Golden Eagles to a 42-23 victory and 8-0 on the season. Aaron Swafford led the Golden Eagles with nine tackles (8 solo, 1 assist), including one tackle for loss. Theron Gaines was second on the team with six tackles (4 solo, 2 assist) with a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss. Andrew Smith grabbed his third interception of the season, and Iwuagwu recovered a fumble for the first time in his career, for a touchdown.

RUN THE BALL: RB Quintell Quinn has emerged as the rushing leader for the Golden Eagles, sitting fourth in the OVC-Big South in rushing yards (576), third in rushing touchdowns (8), and third in average yards per game (72.0). Tennessee Tech is third nationally in rush offense, averaging 244.6 yards per game with 30 rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.50 yards per carry, and 1,957 total rushing yards on 301 carries.

HALL OF FAME: Jeff Daughtry | Football | 1980-84 - When Daughtry finished his Tennessee Tech football career, he stood just three tackles back of legendary Golden Eagle linebacker Jim Youngblood for the top spot in the career record book. Over 40 years later, Daughtry still stands right there, preserving his spot as one of the greatest linebackers to suit up in the Purple and Gold. Daughtry was dominant on the field, consistently putting together double-digit tackle games. He had two 20-plus tackle games, including a career-high 21 against UT Martin and Eastern Kentucky in 1982. That season stands as the second-best in program history as he recorded 153 total stops – 93 solo and 60 assisted – just behind Youngblood's 156 in 1972. Daughtry also had a 142-tackle season in 1983. He led the team in tackles for three straight seasons. He was also awarded the team's highest honor – the Robert Hill Johnson Award – and was selected to the Tech Football 100th Anniversary Team. Check out the entire Hall of Fame class here: HALL OF FAME. 

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 on 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 of 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 (As of 10/15)
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 

5-0 IN CONFERENCE: The Golden Eagles are 5-0 in conference play for the first time since 1999, when the team rattled off wins over UT Martin (45-9), Southeast Missouri (21-7), Western Kentucky (23-10), and Eastern Illinois (14-7). Tech has opened with wins over Tennessee State (W, 35-8), Western Illinois (W, 66-20), and Charleston Southern (W, 27-13). It is just the second time in OVC-Big South Association history that a team has started 5-0. Tech is looking to become the first in conference history to go 6-0.

A BIG DIFFERENTIAL: Tech leads the nation in scoring differential, scoring 404 total points and allowing 123 points (+281) through eight games.

FCS Point Differential Leaders (Top 5; Per Stats Perform)
Rk          Team                                    Points Scored              Points Allowed             Differential
1             Tennessee Tech                  404                               123                               +281
2             North Dakota State               343                               77                                 +266
3             Tarleton State                      408                               146                               +262
4             UTRGV                                 369                              137                               +232
5             Harvard                               259                              69                                 +190

OVC-BIG SOUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYERS 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.

AIR RAID: QB Kekoa Visperas has thrown the 10th most touchdown passes in the nation at the FCS level, a mark that is the fourth-most in program history during a single season. Visperas threw three touchdowns against Lindenwood, the second-most in a single game this year.

Passing TD National Leaders (Top 10)
Rank       Name                                            Pass TD             Team                                   
1            Derek Robertson                             27                      Monmouth
2            Taron Dickens                                 22                     Western Carolina
              Jerry Kaminski                                22                     North Dakota
              Eddie Lee Marburger                       22                     UTRGV
5            Braden Atkinson                             21                      Mercer
6            Andrew Brody                                20                      Alabama St.
              Collin Hurst                                   20                      Presbyterian
              Tyler Riddell                                  20                      Duquesne
              Tommy Rittenhouse                       20                      Illinois State
10           Kekoa Visperas                           19                      Tennessee Tech

Single Season Program Pass TD Standings
TD          Name                                   Year                     
21           Bailey Fisher                         2019
19           Kekoa Visperas                  2025
19           Grant Swallows                    2001
19           Jeremiah Oatsvall                 2022
18           Mike Jones                          1993
              Michael Birdsong                  2016
              Tre Lamb                             2012
              Tre Lamb                             2011
              Lee Sweeney                       2006

MR. ROBINSON: WR Noah Robinson leads the OVC-Big South in receiving touchdowns (6). He is 10th in the Association with 415 receiving yards, average yards per catch (14.8), and receiving yards per game (51.9). His six touchdown grabs are tied for 14th nationally. Robinson made three touchdown grabs, which is tied for the second-most grabs in a single game (vs. WIU).

 GOLDEN MILESTONES: The Golden Eagles have started 8-0 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, 10/18; No. 9; 10/25, No. 9) AFCA Coaches Poll (9/6; No. 20, 9/13; No. 16, 9/27; No. 11, 10/6; No. 7, 10/13; No. 8, 10/18; No. 8; 10/25; 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 eight games (404 points). 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                      50.5
2             UTRGV                                     46.1
3             Tarleton St.                              45.3
4             Harvard                                   43.2
5             Monmouth                               43.1

LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK IN FCS: Tech currently holds the longest active winning streak in FCS (13 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.

FCS Longest Active Winning Streaks Overall
13 – Tennessee Tech
12 – North Dakota State
9 – Tarleton State
8 – Lehigh, Montana

Home
20 – Villanova
16 – North Dakota State
13 – Rhode Island

Road
6 – Harvard
5 – North Dakota State, Tarleton State, Tennessee Tech

DOMINANT DEFENSE: Tech has allowed just 13 TDs this season, which are the fourth fewest allowed by a program in FCS. Tech has held its opponents under 20 points in five of eight contests, allowing just 15.4 points per game. The Golden Eagles are first nationally in yards allowed per play, surrendering just 3.97 yards on each play to the opposition. Tech is fourth nationally in total yards allowed per game, surrendering just 271.3 total yards. TTU is tied for first nationally with four defensive touchdowns, including a fumble recovered in the end zone by Chima Iwuagwu against SEMO (10/25). Tech is tied for second in sacks among FCS teams with 3.50 sacks per game and 158 total sacks on the season. TTU has allowed just 344 total yards on the ground and only two rushing touchdowns this season, leading the nation in both of those categories. Tech is tied with Mercer and Harvard, surrendering just two rushing TDs. The next closest team in total rushing yards allowed is Stephen F. Austin, which has allowed 553 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Scoring Defense National Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                                     Points Allowed Per Game   
1             North Dakota State                9.6
2             Harvard                               11.5
3             Mercer                                15.0
4             Tennessee Tech                15.4
5             Lehigh                                15.6

Defensive TDs National Leaders (Top 5)
Rk          Team                                 TD         
1             Eastern Kentucky                4
               Rhode Island                      4
               Tarleton State                     4
               Tennessee Tech                4
5             Dayton                               3
               8 others                             3

Team Sacks (Top 6)
Rk          Team                                     Avg.
1             Mercer                                  4.14
2             San Diego                             3.50
               Tennessee Tech                   3.50
4             Lehigh                                  3.25
               Sacramento State                 3.25
6             Monmouth                            3.12

FLY EAGLES FLY: Tech's offense is one of the prolific in the country, leading the nation in scoring offense (50.5 ppg), sitting at No. 9 in total offense, averaging 480.1 yards per game; 3rd in rushing offense (244.6), No. 11 in team passing efficiency (165.5) and No. 37 in passing offense (235.5). The Golden Eagles are 6th in red zone offense, converting 94.7% of the time.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE NATIONAL RANKINGS (FCS Through Games 10/25/25)

Rank - Stat                                                       
No. 1 - Scoring Offense (50.5)
No. 1 - Rushing Defense (43.0)
No. 3 - Total Defense (243.0)
No. 3 - Rushing Offense (244.6)
No. 4 - Scoring Defense (15.4)
No. 6 - Red Zone Offense (94.7)
No. 9 - Total Offense (480.1)
No. 11 - Passing Efficiency (166.6)
No. 11 - Passing Defense (112.4)
No. 12 – Third Down Defense (48.2)
T-18  - Turnover Margin (0.63)

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.

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.