Golden Eagles earn Back-to-Back OVC-Big South Titles with 20-17 Victory over UT Martin
Tennessee Tech found itself down double digits but mounted a comeback and with a late field goal by Dom LeBlanc secured its first outright OVC-Big South Title since 1975 with a 20-17 win over UT Martin.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
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0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
Team Stats
UT Martin
| Game Statistics | UT Martin | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 155 | 270 |
| Rushing Yards | 97 | 76 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of Poss. | 34:42 | 25:18 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech found itself down double digits but mounted a comeback and, with a late field goal by Dom LeBlanc, secured its first outright OVC-Big South Title since 1975 with a 20-17 win over UT Martin.
The Golden Eagles (11-1, 8-0) became the first team in program history to win 11 games and go undefeated in Conference. Tech is the first team since Jacksonville State (2014-17) to finish unbeaten in OVC-Big South Association play.
Join us inside Hooper Eblen Center at 11 a.m. CT tomorrow for the FCS Playoff Selection Show watch party!
- Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025
- Time: 11 a.m. | Doors Open: 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Hooper Eblen Center
- Channel: ESPNU
UT Martin (6-6, 6-2 OVC-Big South) grabbed an early 10-0 lead through almost two quarters, when Tech responded with a 28-yard field goal by Dom LeBlanc to make it a seven-point deficit heading into the half, 10-3. LeBlanc would later make the biggest kick of the season.
The Skyhawks limited the Golden Eagles' offense until late in the third when Q'Daryius Jennings would streak down the sideline for a touchdown, catching a perfect pass by Kekoa Visperas for a 23-yard score. That TD tied the game 10-10 and swung the momentum in favor of the home team.
UT Martin responded with a nine-play 40-yard drive and a one-yard touchdown run by Jase Bauer to regain the lead, 17-10.
The defense helped turn the momentum with a big sack by Aaron Swafford to get the ball back in the Golden Eagles' possession. Tech took a page out of UT Martin's playbook, which leads the nation in time of possession, driving 12 plays, 75 yards over 4:49, capping the drive with an outstanding eight-yard touchdown reception by Brian Courtney to tie the game 17-17.
WHAT. A. GRAB @Brian_Courtney4 �� pic.twitter.com/fcemigh64w
— TTU Football (@TNTechFootball) November 22, 2025
Another big stop late gave the ball back to the Golden Eagles, and they moved down the field over eight plays and 63 yards to set LeBlanc up for a 35-yard field goal to take the lead. LeBlanc split the uprights with 11 seconds left and put Tech in front for the first time in the game, proving to be the winning score, 20-17.
THE KICK IS GOOD! Dom LeBlanc puts us in front with 11 seconds left!
— TTU Football (@TNTechFootball) November 22, 2025
Tech 20
UTM 17 #AimHigh | #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/vs4mmA96G5
Tennessee Tech moved to 11-1 on the season and finished conference play with a perfect 8-0 record, a pair of accomplishments that had never happened before.
Visperas led the team with poise and confidence, completing 31-of-45 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Jennings finished with 77 yards on nine carries, averaging 8.6 yards per carry with a long rush of 58 yards that happened on the first offensive play of the game.
Courtney led the team in receiving with six receptions for 89 yards (14.9 avg) and one pivotal touchdown grab. Tre' Holloway finished with eight receptions for 52 yards, and Jennings made four receptions for 51 yards and one touchdown.
LeBlanc finished 2-for-2 on field goals with a long of 35 yards, the game winner, and 2-for-2 in extra points for eight points.
Swafford finished with 12 tackles (7 solo, 5 assists), one sack, and two tackles for loss (-12 yards) to lead the defense that limited a physical UT Martin offense to 17 points. Tim Coutras was second on the team with nine tackles (5 solo, 4 assists), 0.5 tackles for loss (-1 yard), and Kaleb Purdy was third on the team with eight tackles, including two tackles for loss (-5 yards).
The Golden Eagles finished with 346 total yards, while the Skyhawks had 252 total yards. TTU logged 270 yards passing and 76 yards rushing while UTM threw for 155 yards and rushed for 97.
NEXT UP: The Golden Eagles will meet at Eblen Center at 11 a.m. to watch the FCS Selection Show Watch Party. Watch the FCS Selection Show live on ESPNU.
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.
