Theron Gaines Earns OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Week
Tennessee Tech linebacker Theron Gaines has been named OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Week, as announced today by the conference.
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech linebacker Theron Gaines has been named OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Week, as announced today by the conference.
Gaines earns this honor for the second time this season after taking home the award following a 21-9 victory over Eastern Illinois and the Week-2 win over Chattanooga. Coincidentally, Gaines also scored a touchdown in both games that he earned OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The senior from Murfreesboro, Tenn., recovered a fumble and took it in for a touchdown late in the game against EIU to put it away 21-9. He made a season-high 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assists) and recorded 2.0 sacks alongside the fumble recovery for his second defensive touchdown of the season.
Gaines leads Tech in tackles this season with 71.0, making 36 solo and 35 assisted tackles. He is second on the team in sacks with 6.5, and he leads the roster with 13.5 tackles for loss. He also leads the defense with two touchdowns.
The Golden Eagles have five defensive touchdowns this year, marking the most in FCS. Tech also boasts the top rushing defense in the country, surrendering 60.9 yards per game. Overall, TTU has the sixth-best total defense in the country, led in large part by Gaines.
With the win on Saturday, Tech improved 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.
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.
