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RICHMOND, Ky. – After Tennessee Tech scored on its first possession, the Eastern Kentucky University football team held the Golden Eagles scoreless the rest of the game in a 17-7 victory Saturday night at Roy Kidd Stadium. The Colonel defense (1-1, 1-0 OVC) limited TTU (1-1, 0-1 OVC) to 204 total yards and returned an interception late in the third quarter for the go-ahead touchdown.

With Tennessee Tech leading 7-3, senior defensive back Andre Evans picked off a Lee Sweeney pass at the EKU 46-yard line and raced down the left sideline 54 yards untouched. Junior #Logan O’Connor#’s point-after made it 10-7 in favor of the Colonels with 2:54 left in the period.

The EKU offense answered the call on its next possession. The Colonels marched 61 yards in six plays to stretch its lead to 10 points. After a pair of penalties put Eastern in a 2nd-and-16 hole, redshirt freshman #T.J. Prior# connected with junior Shannon Davis over the middle for 45 yards to the TTU 22-yard line. Two plays later, another completion to Davis picked up nine more. Sophomore #H.B. Banjoman# polished off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run with 13:36 remaining in the game

Pryor completed 12-of-19 pass attempts for 163 yards. Junior Cody Watts went 3-for-9 for 40 yards and threw one interception. Senior #C.J. Walker led the ground game with 74 yards on 19 carries. Davis caught three passes for 59 yards. Senior Garnett Phelps# made five receptions for 54 yards.

Tennessee Tech’s Sweeney completed 11-of-26 passes for 97 yards and tossed one interception. Tremain Hudson carried the ball 12 times for 48 yards. Tim Benford caught five passes for 92 yards.

The Colonels struggled out of the gate. On its first three trips into Tennessee Tech territory, EKU turned the ball over twice, including an interception in the end zone, and failed to convert a 42-yard field goal attempt.

After forcing Eastern Kentucky to punt from its own 16-yard line, the Golden Eagles found pay dirt, driving 43 yards in four plays on their opening drive. On 3rd-and-10, Sweeney connected with Benford for 42 yards to the EKU one-yard line. Following an offensive penalty, Hudson finished off the drive with a six-yard scoring run.

The Colonel defense did its part to keep the game close. Despite allowing the big pass play, EKU limited TTU to 68 yards in the first quarter and 125 yards for the half. After their opening drive, the Golden Eagles were forced to punt on five of their final six possessions of the first half. The only time Tech did not punt, the Colonels forced a 44-yard field goal that was wide right.

Eastern got on the board with 1:21 left in the second quarter when O’Connor converted a 36-yard field goal. Redshirt freshman Justin Bell set up the score by blocking a Tennessee Tech punt attempt at the 22-yard line.

After being forced to punt on its first possession, the Colonel offense found Tech territory on its next seven possessions leading to halftime. However, Eastern scored just three points.

Neither offense accomplished much in the third quarter. The Colonels took the ball at the Tech 44 on their first possession of the second half and drove to the 25-yard line, but O’Connor’s 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked. Later in the quarter, the Golden Eagles took possession at the EKU 24-yard line after a fumble, but Tim Donegan missed a 33-yard field goal attempt.

Eastern Kentucky totaled 332 yards of offense. The Colonels churned out 129 yards on the ground and 203 through the air. EKU converted just 3-of-14 third-down attempts.

Tennessee Tech finished with 80 yards rushing and 124 passing. The Golden Eagles converted 5-of-18 third downs and held a slim advantage in time of possession, 30:15 to 29:45.

The Colonels will play on the road next week at Murray State. Kickoff between EKU and the Racers is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

GAME NOTES:
--Cody Watts’ interception in the first quarter was the first of his career. The interception came on his 40th career pass attempt.

--Senior Andre Evans’ third quarter interception was the third of his career.

--H.B. Banjoman’s fourth quarter touchdown run was his second career rushing touchdown.

--Eastern Kentucky improved to 44-18 all-time in OVC openers.

--EKU has won 20 if its last 21 conference games dating back to 2006.

--Eastern Kentucky’s streak of forcing at least two turnovers in eight straight games ended. Tennessee Tech’s third quarter interception was its only turnover of the game.

--Eastern Kentucky has won five straight over Tennessee Tech at home.

--The Colonels have won six straight games at home.