Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Eastern Illinois Panthers
· NCAA - Football
Gaines' fumble return highlights Tennessee Tech's 21-9 win over Eastern Illinois
Gaines scooped up a fumble from quarterback Cole LaCrue and returned it for a 10-yard touchdown to put the FCS No. 5 Golden Eagles (10-0, 7-0 OVC-Big South) up 21-3 with 3:50 remaining.
Q’Daryius Jennings opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 5-yard rushing score. Maury Sullivan doubled that tally with a 48-yard receiving touchdown from Kekoa Visperas late in the first quarter.
Visperas was 17-of-23 passing for 151 yards with an interception.
Tennessee Tech entered the game allowing 3.92 yards per play, the fewest in FCS, but allowed 137 rushing yards to the Panthers (3-7, 2-5). It's their second consecutive week allowing more than 100 rushing yards, after allowing none in the previous eight games.
The Golden Eagles allowed an 18-yard touchdown from LaCrue to DeAirious Smith with 1:16 remaining for the final margin. LaCrue was 15-of-31 passing for 174 yards and an interception.
How To Watch
How can I watch Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers?
- TV Channel: Golden Eagles at Panthers 2021 College Football, week 11, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 6:13 | Q'Daryius Jennings 5 Yd Run (Dom LeBlanc Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 0:37 | Maury Sullivan 48 Yd pass from Kekoa Visperas (Dom LeBlanc Kick) |
 |
FG | 2nd Period 5:03 | Drew Schiller 20 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 4th Period 3:50 | Theron Gaines 10 Yd Fumble Return (Dom LeBlanc Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 1:16 | DeAirious Smith 18 Yd pass from Cole LaCrue (Drew Schiller PAT failed) |
Statistics
 TNTC |
 EIU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 1st Downs | 20 |
| 5-12 | 3rd down efficiency | 4-13 |
| 1-1 | 4th down efficiency | 1-4 |
| 308 | Total Yards | 326 |
| 151 | Passing | 189 |
| 17/23 | Comp/Att | 17/34 |
| 6.6 | Yards per pass | 5.6 |
| 157 | Rushing | 137 |
| 35 | Rushing Attempts | 31 |
| 4.5 | Yards per rush | 4.4 |
| 2-20 | Penalties | 4-35 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 1 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 1 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
| 30:07 | Possession | 29:53 |
Game Information
Location: Charleston, IL
Attendance: 2,266 · Capacity:
College Football News
Oklahoma AG calls on Big 12 to suspend Texas Tech QB Sorsby
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on the Big 12 Conference to suspend Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
Gregory, 4-star WR and No. 37 overall recruit in '27, chooses UCLA
Matthew Gregory, the No. 7 ranked wide out and No. 37 overall recruit in the SC Next 300 for the 2027 cycle, has committed to Bob Chesney's UCLA Bruins.
McAfee, WVU's Rodriguez agree football team will win games
McAfee, WVU's Rodriguez agree football team will win games
Clemson WR Tristan Smith cleared by judge for 2026 season
Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith received a temporary injunction against the NCAA from a South Carolina judge, clearing the way for him to play this season.
Jabarrius Garror's commitment bolsters Texas' 2027 recruiting haul
Texas landed its second blue-chip defender in as many days Friday with a commitment from four-star edge Jabarrius Garror, ESPN's No. 4 outside linebacker in the 2027 class.