Tennessee State 30, Tennessee Tech 20

October 14, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Tennessee State scored touchdowns on their first four possessions on way to a 30-20 Ohio Valley Conference win over Tennessee Tech at LP Field on Saturday night. The Tigers improved to 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2003 and evened their season record to 3-3.

The Tigers were paced by sophomore running back Javarris Williams who totaled 225 Total offense Yards (195 rushing) in the game, 170 on the ground, in the first half.

Williams took the second play from scrimmage 78 yards to put TSU ahead 6-0 just 47 seconds into the game. The run is the longest of his career, surpassing his previous best of 53, a mark he set last year against Tennessee Tech.

Sophomore quarterback Antonio Heffner guided the Tigers 80 yards on eight plays on the next series and scored on a third and goal run from the 12-yard line. Tennessee Tech responded with a 59-yard drive that ended with the Big Blue stopping a fake field goal run three yards short.

TSU took advantage of a 43 yard run by Williams on a 3rd and 32, to keep their third drive alive. Freshman running back Terrance Wright scored the first touchdown of his career on a 2-yard run to cap off the drive.

After another defensive stop, the Tigers converted on another 3rd and long to continue their final scoring drive of the half. Heffner teamed up with Richard Gayle for 53 yards through the air on 3rd and 18 to get TSU down to the 2 yard line. Williams scored his second touchdown of the night two plays later from one yard out.

The Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech closed the score to 27-14 early in the fourth quarter. TSU answered back by recording five first downs on five consecutive plays on way to an Eric Benson 19-yard field goal to push the lead back to 16.

Tech would score again score again late (4:11) but senior Nikkieda Rutland intercepted a Lee Sweeney pass with just over a minute remaining to preserve the win for the Tigers.

Tennessee State travels to Jacksonville, Alabama to take on Jacksonville State on Saturday, October 21. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m.