Box Score

Game 6: Tennessee State 10, Tennessee Tech 24
Records: TSU (2-3), TTU (1-4)
Venue: Tucker Stadium
Location: Cookeville, Tenn.
Weather: Sunny, 57
Kickoff Time: 1:36 p.m.
Game Duration: 2:58
Attendance: --- 1,747
 

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.--- Tennessee State was held in check on Saturday afternoon in Cookeville as they dropped a 24-10 decision to Tennessee Tech.
 
The offense was limited to 51 plays and gained 159 yards on the day. The amount was the lowest offensive output since finishing with 97 yards on Nov. 16, 2017, at Jacksonville State.
 
TTU jumped out to 14-0 advantage before Antonio Zita put the Tigers on the board with a 51 yard field goal with just over a minute remaining before the break.
 
TSU began the second half with a 40 yard kickoff return by Jalen Rouse. The offense moved to within field goal range, but Zita's 34 yard attempt sailed wide left.
 
The Golden Eagles built a 24-3 lead early in the fourth quarter before TSU could find the end zone. Deveon Bryant found Cam Wyche for a nine yard pass play and used his legs over to move the Tigers back within two possessions.
 
Bryant ended the game with 42 yards on seven carries, including a 13 yard touchdown run. The quarterback added 41 yards passing, completing 5-of-15 passes.
 
Isaiah Green passed for 48 yards on 8-of-10 attempts.
 
Defensively, the Big Blue recorded 13 tackles for loss, including three sacks. Freshman Chris Walker led the way with 4.0 TFLs and one sack. Nyle Love made one stop behind the line of scrimmage as he finished with a game high 10 tackles.

The loss drops TSU to 1-2 in the Sgt. York Trophy standings. This marks just the second time in six years the Tigers do not share a piece of the four team traveling-trophy.


TOTALS

• Tennessee Tech outgained TSU 369-159 in total yards
• The Tigers were held to 89 yards passing and 70 yards rushing
• The defense surrendered 201 yards on the ground and 168 through the air
• The Tigers ran 51 plays, averaging 3.1 yards per play
• TTU finished with 16 first downs while TSU picked up 10
• TTU won the Time of Possession battle, 35:37-24:23
• TSU converted 4-of-13 on third down attempts
• The Tigers finished 1-of-2 in Red Zone Scoring Chances
• The Big Blue committed only three penalties for 25 yards
• The defense recorded 13 tackles for loss, including three sacks
• TSU broke up four passes

INDIVIDUAL

• Deveon Bryant led the Tigers in rushing with 42 yards on seven carries.
• Devon Starling was held to 30 yards on 11 attempts.
• Bryant finished 5-of-15 passing for 41 yards.
• Isaiah Green went 8-of-10 for 48 yards.
• Deveon Bryant completed 2-of-5 passes.
• Dayron Johnson and Zaire Thornton each caught three passes to lead the offense.
• Johnson went for 38 yards while Thornton totaled 20 yards.
• Antonio Zita finished 1-of-2 in field goals, including a 51 yarder.
• Nyle Love led the defense with 10 tackles, seven solo.
• Chris Walker recorded 4.0 tackles for loss, including one sack.
• Davoan Hawkins and Cameron Stewart joined Walker with a sack on the day.
• James Green, Nick Harper Jr., Chris Walker and Detoye Adewole registered a breakup.

FIRST QUARTER

• Tennessee Tech started fast, gaining 39 yards on its first two plays, moving to the Tennessee State 24.
• The defense responded as Kenyon Garlington and James Green hit the TTU running back in the backfield for a six yard loss.
• Two plays later, Davoan Hawkins tracked down the Golden Eagles quarterback for a nine yard sack, forcing a punt.
• The Tigers were unable to produce a first down after starting on their own five.
• TTU took advantage of the good starting field position and moved 47 yards for the first score of the game.
• After Tech reached the six yard line, the defense produced a strong goal line stand forcing a fourth down.
• After a timeout, the Golden Eagles converted a four yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead with 5:45 on the clock.
• TSU was held to one first down before a Kaleb Mosley 47 yard punt pinned TTU at the six.
• In the quarter, TSU was outgained 103-23.

SECOND QUARTER

• Chris Walker opened the quarter with a sack and teamed with Terry Straughter for a tackle for loss to stop the Golden Eagles drive.
• The Tigers were held to a three and out, but received a 52 yard punt by Mosley that went out of bounds at the 10.
• The starting position did not hinder TTU as they moved 90 yards in 10 plays to take a 14-0 lead.
• After Rouse returned the kickoff to the 35, the Tigers were able to put together a pair of first downs to move across midfield for the first time o0f the contest.
• The Big Blue got on the board as Antonio Zita drilled a 51 yard field goal to make the score 14-3 with 1:10 to go before halftime.
• The Golden Eagles made one last charge, but missed a 44 yard field goal attempt as the ball went off the left upright.
• TTU out produced the Tigers, 116-37, in the quarter and 219-60 in the first half.

THIRD QUARTER

• Rouse tried to spark the offense by taking the second half kickoff 40 yards to the TSU 42.
• Isaiah Green opened the drive with a 18 yard connection to Dayron Johnson into Tech's territory.
• The Tigers came up empty on the opening series as Zita's 34 yard attempt missed wide left.
• TTU used a 46 yard running play to get into field goal range, allowing Hayden Olsen to convert on a 52 yarder for the 17-3 advantage.
• The Big Blue managed two first downs during the first of its final two possessions of the third quarter.
• Both drives ended in Mosley punts.
• The Tigers managed just 41 yards, opposed to the Golden Eagles 93.

FOURTH QUARTER

• The defense once again opened a quarter with a sack and a tackle for loss.
• Cameron Stewart recorded a strip sack, but the Tigers were unable to jump on the loose ball.
• On the following play, Chris Walker and Michael Crawford registered a tackle for loss to help get the ball back for the offense.
• On the Tigers first play, Deveon Bryant was intercepted setting up the Golden Eagles at the 10.
• Tech needed just one play to reach the end zone and extend the lead to 24-3.
• The Tigers found the end zone with 6:02 remaining in the contest to cut the score to 24-10.
• Bryant started the drive with a nine yard completion to Cam Wyche before breaking free for runs from 19 and 13 yards, respectively.
• The last run was the second rushing touchdown for the quarterback in as many weeks.

GAME NOTES

• This marks the 34^th meeting between Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech.
• TSU is 20-14 in the all-time series versus the Golden Eagles.
• Reed is 6-5 versus TTU.
• 2021 Sgt. York Standings: Tennessee State 1-2, Tennessee Tech 2-0, UT Martin 1-1, Austin Peay 1-2.
• James Green served as the Tennessee State captain.
• Tennessee State won the toss and deferred.
• Kickoff occurred at 1:36 p.m. under clear skies at Tucker Stadium with 2 mph winds and 58 degrees.
• The Golden Eagles celebrated its six seniors for competing in its final home game of the season.
• With Zita's 51-yard field goal, he moves into eighth all-time in career scoring at TSU, moving past Larry Watkins (1978-81).
• The distance ties for seventh longest field goal at TSU.
• It his third time tying the mark this season.
• Chris Walker recorded 4.0 tackles for loss tying for the third most at TSU since TFLs became an official stat.
• Walker matched Larry Williford's efforts at Murray State in 2008 and Shaun Richardson's outing at Austin Peay in 2007.

WHAT'S NEXT:
The Tigers will close out the spring season by hosting Southeast Missouri on Sunday, Apr. 11, in Hale Stadium.
 

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