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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Host Tennessee State piled up 543 yards of offense and held off the Eastern Kentucky University football team in a shoot-out Saturday night, 34-20. The #25 Tigers (4-0, 1-0 OVC) earned their first win over the Colonels (1-3, 0-1) since 1999.

Tiger quarterback Antonio Heffner threw for 314 yards and three scores while in helping TSU reach the 30-point plateau for the fourth time in four games. Running back Javarris Williams finished with 117 yards on the ground, including a 48-yard touchdown run to open the scoring.

For Eastern Kentucky, senior Allan Holland went 21-for-37 for 244 yards and two scores. The native of Hazard, Ky., now has 3,378 career passing yards and moved up to sixth on the Colonel all-time passing list.

The Colonels trailed 20-13 at the half, but the defense came alive early in the third quarter by forcing turnovers on Tennessee State’s opening two possessions. However, the EKU offense could not capitalize and went three-and-out on each occasion.

Tennessee State then broke through on its third possession with a six-play, 54-yard touchdown drive. Heffner capped the drive with a third-down, 19-yard touchdown strike to Brandon Belvin.

Eastern Kentucky answered right back to cut the deficit back to seven, 27-20. Redshirt freshman Jeremy Caldwell ignited the rally with a 40-yard kick-off return. Holland moved the Colonels into the red zone with an 18-yard completion to senior tight end Stephen Sizemore. Junior C.J. Walker finally finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown catch.

The Tigers rebuilt their 14-point cushion on their ensuing possession at the start of the fourth quarter. Tennessee State converted three third downs on the drive, including third-and-goal when Heffner threw his third touchdown pass, a three-yard strike to Ronald Evans.

Eastern Kentucky never threatened the rest of the way. The Colonels were held to nine yards rushing for the game. Walker, who ran for a personal-high 138 yards last year against TSU, averaged 1.2 yards per rush Saturday night.

Eastern Kentucky returns home next Saturday in search of its first OVC win against Austin Peay as part of Family Weekend. Game time on Sept. 27 is set for 3 p.m.

NOTES:
--The Colonels were held to -2 yards rushing on 15 attempts in the first half.

--Two EKU players recorded their first collegiate interception – redshirt freshman defensive back Jeremy Caldwell and senior linebacker Tyjuan Jones.

--Senior Taylor Long converted both field goal attempts. He has now made seven straight attempts.

--Eastern Kentucky forced three turnovers, but did not score any points off the turnovers.

--EKU had won 12 straight OVC games heading into the contest.