Penalties doomed the Govs as they fell to Tennessee Tech 31-23, Saturday, Oct. 3, in Ohio Valley Conference play at Tucker Stadium.
With the loss, APSU has lost their fourth straight game and are 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in the OVC. Tennessee Tech improves to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
This also marks the first time the Govs loss against the Golden Eagles under the tenure of head coach Rick Christophel.
The Govs ran the ball like normal, gaining 180 yards on the ground thanks to Ryan White’s fifth 100-yard game in his career on 22 carries. Terrence Holt’s 71 yards on 14 rushes gained two scores. The Govs outrushed Tennessee Tech (180-70).
The Govs, who committed 13 penalties for 138 yards and 4-of-12 on third downs, hurt themselves. Tennessee Tech only had four penalties for 45 yards.
“That (penalties) doesn’t determine who wins the game and who doesn’t win the game,” said APSU head coach Rick Christophel. “We played hard, but we can’t play undisciplined football.”
Tennessee Tech struck first by scoring on a Timoth Donegan 23-yard field goal, but the Govs would come right back and exchange a 35-yard field goal from Stephen Stansell to even the score 3-3.
TTU came back with a four-yard run from Tremain Hudson, who ran the wildcat offense, gaining 64 yards on seven plays to take the lead 10-3.
Again, Tennessee Tech struck when Lee Sweeney found Anton Robinson on a 21-yard pass and catch to push the lead to 17-3.
APSU found their stride on a 14-play, 72-yard drive capped off on Terrence Holt’s first touchdown of the night from six yards out.
The Govs used 12 plays and 75-yards when Gary Orr hooked up with Ashlon Adams for a seven-yard score to tie it at 17-17.
The Golden Eagles answered with a touchdown of their own to make the score, 24-17.
The Govs used a six play, 45-yard drive finished off by Terrence Holt’s second touchdown of the night on a 10-yard scamper. But with a missed extra point by Stansell, APSU trailed 24-23.
It was Stansell’s first miss all season on extra points, and he also missed a 33-yard field goal with 9:38 left in the game.
Offensively, with the running game brewing, Orr went off on 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, freshman Jeremy Ross led the way with 12 tackles, while Daniel Becker and Amius Smith both contributed eight tackles each.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The suspensions of Tremayne Townsend, and James Barker were lifted and both played in Saturday’s game. Barker and Townsend were arrested Wednesday, Sept. 23.
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