Theron Gaines celebrates a fumble return for a TD | Photo: Carolynn Leman
Theron Gaines celebrates a fumble return for a TD | Photo: Carolynn Leman
November 8, 2025

No. 5 Golden Eagles are 10-0 for First Time in Program History with 21-9 Victory over Eastern Illinois

Tennessee Tech improves to 10-0 on the season with a 21-9 win over Eastern Illinois on the road Saturday.

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By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations 

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Tennessee Tech improves to 10-0 on the season with a 21-9 win over Eastern Illinois on the road Saturday. It marks the second 10-win team in Tech football history (1972). The Golden Eagles have clinched at least a share of the OVC-Big South Title for the second consecutive season with the win. 

Tech improves to 10-0 on the season for the first time in program history. The program now has two 10-win seasons in its football lore (1972 and 2025). The Golden Eagles have won 15 straight games, which continues to be the longest active winning streak in the nation and the longest winning streak in program history.

The Golden Eagles' defense held EIU to nine points, allowing one touchdown in an effort where they allowed 137 yards rushing and just 189 yards through the air for 326 total yards. EIU didn't score until 5:03 left in the first quarter, a field goal, and the Panthers didn't put six on the board until 1:16 remained in the fourth quarter.

Tech held EIU to 4-for-13 on third down and 1-for-4 on fourth down, and 5.6 yards per pass completion. 

QB Kekoa Visperas did it with his arm and his legs once again, throwing for his 22nd touchdown of the season, a single-season program record, and rushing for 57 yards to lead the team.

WR Maury Sullivan caught one touchdown and finished with 64 yards on three receptions with 25 yards after the catch. Q'Daryius Jennings rushed for one touchdown, the first score of the game for Tech, and finished with 30 yards on six carries.

WR Tre' Holloway finished with 51 receiving yards and 26 return yards for 84 all-purpose yards.

Theron Gaines not only scored his second touchdown of the season on a scoop and score from a fumbled snap, but also led the team with 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 asts), including 2.0 sacks, 2.0 TFL, and one quarterback hurry. Gaines compiled his second defensive touchdown, a 10-yard fumble return to put the Golden Eagles in front for good, 21-9.

 

Tech leads the nation in defensive touchdowns with five.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Golden Eagles opened the game with all of the momentum, taking their first two drives in for scores. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Tech marched down the field on seven plays for 70 yards, capping the 3:53 drive with a five-yard touchdown rush by Q'Daryius Jennings, his team-leading 10th rushing touchdown of the season.

On the ensuing drive, EIU was forced to punt and Tech took advantage, moving the ball 74 yards on eight plays over 4:05, and capping the drive with a Top 10 catch by Maury Sullivan for a 48-yard touchdown.

The Golden Eagles limited EIU to three points in the first half and held a 14-3 advantage until 3:50 left in the game when Gaines scooped and scored off a fumbled snap, putting it out of reach 21-3. EIU got a late score and attempted an onside kick, but the Golden Eagles recovered it and went into victory formation to cap the 21-9 win.

NEXT UP: The No. 5 Golden Eagles (10-0, 7-0) hit the road to Kentucky (3-5, 1-5) for a game against an FBS team. It will be the first game against an FBS opponent this season, and the first matchup against Kentucky since 1951.

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.