NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- Tennessee Tech scored on the opening possession of the game and never looked back as Tennessee State fell on Senior Day, 44-16, at Hale Stadium on Saturday. The loss drops the Tigers to 6-4, 3-3, in Ohio Valley Conference play.

The loss also created a three-way tie for the Sgt. York Trophy between TSU, TTU and UT Martin. The three teams will share the title, but the Skyhawks will retain the trophy according to rules which states the previous winner will hold onto the trophy in the event of a tie.

Trailing 7-0, the Tigers took advantage of a missed field goal by Nick Madonia. TSU used a pair of passes from Ronald Butler to Larry Haralson to move the Big Blue into field goal range. After the drive stalled, Lane Clark connected on the second longest kick in TSU history, a 55-yarder to cut the lead to 7-3.

Tech continued its offensive attack with 20 points in the second quarter, including a 57-yard field goal by Mardonia. The kick ties Clark for the longest kick in the OVC this season.

Trailing 27-3, Tennessee State opened with a nine yard pass from Butler to Patrick Smith before Erick Evans ripped off runs of 12 and 18 yards, reaching the TTU 25. Once again, the Tigers would have to settle for another Clark field goal. The kick from 47-yards out made the score 27-6.

The two teams traded field goals to close out the quarter. Madonia hit from 33 yards, before Clark hit a chip shot from 25 yards, bringing the score to 30-9 heading into the final stanza.

Trailing 37-9, the Tigers finally entered the end zone as Butler connected with Steven Newbold on a 22 yard touchdown reception. The score was the sixth of the season for the freshman receiver.

Butler finished with 202 yards passing and 31 yards rushing, while Newbold and Smith each hauled in five receptions. Smith led the receivers with 65 yards, just ahead of Newbold with 59.

The Tigers will travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Saturday, Nov. 19 to face Southeast Missouri in the final game of the regular season.


NOTES: Nine seniors were honored before the game along with senior cheerleaders Chris Brown and Tonisha Lewis… Ronald Butler, Jessamen Dunker, EJ Junior IV, Antonio Justice, Jr., David Kamara, Kevin Kenton, Dantwaun O’Neal, Ezra Robinson and Chris Sanders-McCollum all served as captains… Butler, Dunker, Kenton and Robinson participated in coin toss… Tennessee State won the toss and chose to defer to the second half… Official start time is 3:06 p.m.… Sunny and 59 at kickoff… Lane Clark connected on a 54-yard field goal, his fourth of 50-plus yards this season.


Redshirt Junior Running Back, Erick Evans-
On his play –
Once I slowed the game down I was able to read the defense and make the right cuts. It was a tough loss and we have to just keep working.

On what improvements offense needs to make ---
We have to come together it was times we were up and down you just have to stick together no matter what. We will be ready for next weekend’s game.

Redshirt Junior Linebacker, Justin North-
Defenses Play ---
We were amped up all week in practice but Tech came out ready to play and they capitalized on our mistakes.

Feelings about last game ---
I am looking forward to just playing football. We have to come to practice ready to work to end our season on a good note.

Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver, Larry Haralson II –
On his first two receptions this season
I felt pretty good. You just have to wait your turn and capitalize when you have the opportunity to make plays and I did that today.

Offensive adjustments for next week ---
Today we played really flat. Sometimes you just have those days. I have confidence we will bounce back next week.

Sophomore Corenerback, Gabe Scott-
Defensive Adjustments ---
We have to be more physical than we have been. Everybody has to do their own job and be one eleventh of the defense. We do that and we will be fine.

What it will take to win next week ---
We have to get our swag back that we had at the beginning of the season. We have been flat lately and a couple of losses have affected us. We need to get our enthusiasm back.

#BigBlueRising