COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - - Host Tennessee Tech used its big play scoring ability to hold off NCAA Division II UVa-Wise 31-14 at Tucker Stadium Saturday night. The NCAA Division I FCS Golden Eagles used a 91-yard kickoff return touchdown and a 12-yard fumble recovery touchdown to offset just 301 yards of total offense to win for the second time in three weeks to start the season.
UVa-Wise (1-1) jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 1:35 to play in the opening quarter when Darrien Newton capped a 9-play, 70-yard scoring drive with a 7-yard touchdown scamper. The lead was short lived for the Cavaliers, who were playing their first FCS opponent since 2014, as the Eagles answered the touchdown with a 91-yard kickoff return touchdown by Metrius Fleming.
It would be the first of four consecutive touchdowns for the hosts. David Gist had a 1-yard scoring spurt while Tai Carter added a 12-yard fumble recovery score and quarterback Bailey Fisher found pay dirt on a 1-yard scamper to send the game to intermission with Tennessee Tech leading 28-7.
The third quarter belonged to UVa-Wise. Sophomore Markel Harrison made the most of his first collegiate reception as he hauled in a 31-yard scoring strike from Tanner Bernard to make it a 28-14 contest with 5:02 to play in the period.
The UVa-Wise defense would then force a punt as Rondre Knowles-Tenner, Drew O'Bryan and Deandre Williams combined to produce back-to-back sacks. On the punt, Demetrius Mann would race up the home sideline 92 yards for a touchdown only to see the play called back for an illegal block in the back.
The Eagles would then force a punt by the Cavs but it would be muffed with O'Bryan recovering the muffed punt at the Tech 30-yard line.
Dane Damron's team would attempt a deep ball on the first play following the turnover only to see the pass come up incomplete. Eventually, the Eagles would force a turnover on downs to take back possession.
On its first possession of the fourth quarter, Tech would see its drive stall out at the UVa-Wise 34-yard line. Fisher would then pooch kick and see the ball ricochet off a Cav with the Eagles recovering in a goal-to-go situation.
The Cavs' defense would stand tall and force a field goal but, the team would be unable to get any closer as the Eagles claimed victory in front of 10,436 fans.
UVa-Wise registered 13 tackles for loss in the game. Buster Henderson led the way with 10 tackles, including 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage. O'Bryan finished with three TFLs as part of a nine-tackle performance.
Mann had an interception for the second consecutive week while Marquis Hamilton also picked off a pass. Knowles-Tenner collected a career-high two sacks as the Cavs tallied five sacks in the loss.
On offense, Terrence Lambert gained 84 yards on 22 carries, four different UVa-Wise players had three receptions, including Seth Phillips.
Freshman punter Drew Vermillion punted eight times, averaging 39.2 yards, including a season-long 53 yarder. Tech returners managed just one return for two yards off Vermillion punts in the game.
Gist led all players with 94 rushing yards in the win, reigning Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Fisher was limited to 11-of-22 passing for 163 yards and two interceptions.
Damron's squad will play its first ever South Atlantic Conference game next week when Mars Hill University visits Smith Stadium in a 12 p.m. kickoff.
