The Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech beat the Redhawks, 29-27, Thursday night at Houck Stadium. Southeast fought back from a 10-point deficit to take the lead in the third quarter before Tech added the eventual game-winning touchdown with 7:40 left in regulation.
After Tech went ahead 10-0 in the first quarter, quarterback Housont Lillard led a 12-play, 76-yard drive capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass to receiver Walter Peoples with 9:43 left in the first half.
Kicker Doug Spada tied the game at 10 by connecting on a 33-yard field goal with 5:42 left in the second quarter.
Trailing 23-17 at the half, The Redhawks came storming back after linebacker Josh Jackson forced a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Eddie Calvin in Tech territory. Spada booted a 27-yard field goal to pull with three with 5:31 left in the third quarter. After forcing a punt, Lillard led an eight-play, 54-yard drive that culminated in tight end Bradley Brown’s first career receiving touchdown on a 21-yard play-action pass down the middle of the field on the first play of the fourth quarter. Spada’s extra point put Southeast ahead 27-23 with 14:54 left in the game.
Tech delivered the punishing blow when Derrian Waters scored on a 2-yard run with 7:40 left in regulation.
Lillard finished 18-for-36 passing for 187 yards and the two scores. Harris led the rushing attack with 70 yards on 14 carries, good for a 5-yard average. Peoples led the receivers with five receptions for 61 yards.