TSU fizzles on offense in OVC loss

Tennessee State's offense started strong but stalled in the second half as the Tigers lost to Tennessee Tech 21-10 on Saturday night. It is the first time TSU (3-5, 0-4) has lost four consecutive conference games since joining the Ohio Valley Conference in 1988.

Not only did TSU's offense suddenly start to sputter in the second half, but it also failed to take advantage of the two opportunities it did have. Freshman kicker Jamin Godfrey missed field goals from 24 and 31 yards. "We have to score in the red zone and we're making too many field goal attempts, and missing two tonight didn't help our effort any," TSU Coach Rod Reed said.

McNairl gives TSU an offensive boost

Not even Tennessee State's versatile Calvin McNairl enjoying a breakout game at wide receiver was enough to give the Tigers a win over Tennessee Tech Saturday night at LP Field. McNairl started eight games at quarterback last season, then moved to receiver in the spring. The junior from Henry County came into the game as TSU's third-leading receiver with 13 catches for 145 yards and no touchdowns. He finished the 21-10 loss as the leading receiver with nine catches for 131 yards, including an 84-yard TD.

TTU FOOTBALL: Golden Eagles fend off Tennessee State

NASHVILLE -- A year ago, it was Tennessee Tech's Tim Benford making the game-saving catch to give the Golden Eagles the win over Tennessee State and clinching the Sergeant York Trophy. On Saturday night, Benford caught two touchdown catches, his sixth and seventh in OVC play this season, leading the Golden Eagles to a 21-10 victory at LP Field. In other words, Benford likes playing Tennessee State.

For TSU, injury updates are a taboo subject

Tennessee State first-year Coach Rod Reed said he recently adopted a policy for being tighter-lipped about his team's injuries, but he doesn't deny the Tigers are hurting as they try to snap their three-game OVC losing streak today. The Tigers (3-4, 0-3 OVC) hope to avoid their first 0-4 start since joining the league in 1988 when Tennessee Tech (3-4, 2-2) visits LP Field at 6 tonight. Lost for the year are:

TTU FOOTBALL: Tech, TSU battered and bruised

COOKEVILLE -- As both Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State enter this week's contest, both sidelines could look like a battlefield hospital with many wounded players are lining up the sidelines. The two teams square off in a Sergeant York Trophy contest Saturday night at 6 p.m. from LP Field. The biggest blow this season has been the loss of running back Preston Brown, who was a major focal point of the Tigers' offense.

"Everybody knows about him," Reed said. "He was the nation's leading rusher.

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Tennessee Tech 20, Tennessee State 13

Tech Wins Homecoming Match-up

Sophomore Tim Benford caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Lee Sweeney with three minutes to play and the Tennessee Tech defense, led by redshirt freshman Caleb Mitchell, forced four turnovers as the Golden Eagles defeated Tennessee State, 20-13, in an Ohio Valley Conference game Saturday afternoon in Tucker Stadium. With the win, Tech (5-3/4-2 OVC) captured the league’s Sgt. York Trophy, finishing the series with a 3-0 mark against the three in-state schools.

"We just hung in there and hung in there, and at the end we made plays and that is what this team has been doing," said Golden Eagle head coach Watson Brown. "Every one we've won, we had to make plays in the fourth quarter to win the game, and this one was no different. "I couldn't be more proud of these kids. They've worked their fannies off and they've come a long way," Brown added. "One of the goals is done (York Trophy). We get to bring that trophy back to Cookeville."

TSU head football coach James Webster

TSU coach rips officials after loss

COOKEVILLE, TN — Tennessee State Coach James Webster began criticizing the officials moments after the Tigers' 20-13 loss to Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Webster was livid about the final play, claiming TSU receiver Joseph Hills was interfered with by more than one Tennessee Tech defender while trying to make a catch in the end zone. "He got mauled. How could you not see that?'' Webster said. "He was open, the quarterback got some pressure and he tried to put it up there, and if I've ever seen pass interference that was pass interference."

Webster said the play continued what he has perceived as a pattern of poor officiating against his team that stretches back several years. He said he has repeatedly lodged formal complaints to the Ohio Valley Conference office and seen no improvement. When asked if he believed complaining again would help, Webster said: "I've been following the rules and regulations of the OVC and we get this. "It's not fair to this football program. It's not fair to these football players. It's not fair to the fans, it's not fair to the administration and I have to accept responsibility for it.

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Tennessee State Lady Tigers holds off Tennessee Tech

Photo: Oby Okafor recorded her 20th career double-double in Tennessee State’s win over TTU. The 5-9 junior forward is from Rolla, Missouri (Rolla High School).

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Tech fought an uphill battle the entire second half, and although the Golden Eagles got one step from the top several times, they never got over the hump as visiting Tennessee State held on for a 69-56 Ohio Valley Conference victory in Eblen Center.

A national TV audience was tuned in on ESPNU as Tech pulled to within one point with less than six minutes to play, and got to within two points twice after that. In the end, however, the Tigers (9-11/6-5 OVC) made nine out of 10 free throws in the final minute to pull away to the final 13-point margin.

Tech (3-18/2-9 OVC) made it 58-56 when Kristina Tyler hit both free throws with 1:53 remaining, but that was the last time the Golden Eagles scored.

Oby Okafor recorded her 20th career double-double in Tennessee State and led all scores with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals. Tiffany Jackson also posted double-digits with 11 points and 4 blocked shots.

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