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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky defense forced three turnovers and the special teams added a blocked punt to spark the Colonels to a resounding 33-12 win over host Tennessee Tech Saturday night at Tucker Stadium. The Colonels (3-3, 2-1 OVC) earned their first road win of the year while handing TTU (3-3, 1-1) its first home loss.

Six EKU defenders posted a tackle for loss while senior Zach Denton and sophomore Andrew Soucy recorded interceptions. Senior linebacker Tyjuan Jones tied for the team lead with seven tackles while adding a sack and a forced fumble. The Colonels finished with 17 points scored off three Tennessee Tech turnovers.

Eastern Kentucky got on the scoreboard first thanks to a blocked punt midway through the first quarter. Senior wide out Stephon Fuqua blocked the punt, giving EKU the ball at the Tennessee Tech 27-yard line. The Colonels pushed ahead for one first down before settling for senior Taylor Long's 38-yard field goal.

In the second quarter, the Eastern Kentucky defense forced two turnovers inside the Tech red zone which resulted in 10 Colonel points. With seven minutes left in the half, Jones caused a fumble when he sacked TTU quarterback Lee Sweeney at the 20-yard line. Soucy fell on the ball, setting up Long’s third field goal of the game, a 37-yarder, and stretching the lead to 9-0.

Four minutes later, Soucy was involved in another turnover deep in Golden Eagle territory. Junior Chris Hall hit Tech quarterback Josh Lowery at the goal line forcing an errant throw which Soucy grabbed at the five-yard line. Two plays later, sophomore Aaron Bradley tallied a two-yard rushing touchdown to push the advantage to 16-0.

Sophomore Cody Watts stepped in at quarterback for senior Allan Holland in the second half and directed three scoring drives. In Watts’ first drive under center, the Colonels went 61 yards in six plays to go ahead, 23-0. Bradley capped the drive with a 19-yard scoring run right up the middle of the field.

Following a Tennessee Tech interception, Watts led Eastern Kentucky on another touchdown march to make the score, 30-0. A 39-yard pass play between Watts and sophomore Anthony Burnes ignited the drive. Five plays later, Watts found sophomore Shannon Davis open in the end zone for a one-yard touchdown toss.

Eastern Kentucky returns home to host OVC foe Jacksonville State next Saturday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m.

NOTES:
--The Colonels set season highs in points (33), first downs (21), rushing yardage (214) and total offensive yardage (340).

--Eastern Kentucky has won seven of the last eight meetings against Tennessee Tech and leads the all-time series, 48-17.

--Senior quarterback Allan Holland moved up to fifth on the all-time EKU passing list. He now sits with 3,623 career passing yards.

--Senior placekicker Taylor Long has made 13 consecutive field goals.

--Tennessee Tech missed both PAT attempts.

--Starting cornerback Jaren Gooden did not play due to a shoulder injury.