5 Things You Need to Know About the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles

For the first time in a while there is some positive momentum surrounding the Kentucky Football program. Admittedly, at the same time, there is still a vocal portion of the fanbase that wants a change at head coach regardless of what happens the rest of this season. However, in the meantime, it is at least more fun to win the football games. The Wildcats went on the road and beat Auburn 10-3 two weeks ago to earn their first SEC victory in over a calendar year. Then, they ended their ugly home SEC losing streak with a dominant 38-7 win over Florida last weekend. This Saturday the ‘Cats have a chance to improve to .500 with a win over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. That would set up an opportunity to go bowling with a win either at Vanderbilt or at Louisville.

The positive momentum is real and two straight Southeastern Conference wins feels good. Redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley appears to be the real deal as well. However, it won’t be a cake walk at Kroger Field on Saturday afternoon. The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles are ranked #5 in the FCS and come to Lexington undefeated at 10-0 on the season. There can’t be any let up from the last two weeks or things could take an embarrassing turn on senior day. Kentucky has to earn the right to go play for a shot at a bowl game the next two weeks by taking care of business on Saturday.

As always, Kentucky Sports Radio’s football experts Nick Roush and Adam Luckett have spent the week providing in-depth breakdowns of the Wildcats’ opponent. 11 Personnel and the KSR Football Podcast have you covered as well if you prefer preparing for Saturday’s game via audio. However, for those looking for a more surface level preview you have come to the right place. Here are five things you need to know about the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.

Up-Tempo, High-Powered Offense

There is a strong case to be made that the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles have the best offense in the FCS. Their 45.2 points per game is the most in the country. They rank third overall in yards per play and yards per rush. Meanwhile, the passing attack isn’t far behind at 14th in yards per pass. Tennessee Tech will push the pace with a lot of no-huddle offense. It is a heavy RPO scheme that will get creative in the quarterback running game and some Wildcat formations. However, the primary tenant of this Golden Eagles offense is tempo.

Last Saturday’s 21-9 win at Eastern Illinois was their lowest scoring output of the season. However, they’ve broke 60 three times this season with a high of 72 against Davidson. Kentucky’s defense essentially hasn’t allowed points since the Tennessee game. Auburn got their three Florida got their seven via short fields following turnovers. To say that Tennessee Tech is better than either of those teams would probably be a stretch, but it could be harder for the Wildcats’ defense to hold this group scoreless.

Tennessee Tech Features a Proven Producer at Quarterback

Across four seasons at Eastern Washington Kekoa Visperas threw for 5,246 yards and 39 touchdowns. He completed just shy of 70% of his passes. Additionally, he ran for another 667 yards and 12 more touchdowns. Visperas is a true dual-threat quarterback that has fit in perfectly to the Golden Eagles’ up-tempo offense. In fact, the veteran quarterback is putting up the best numbers of his career at Tennessee Tech.

Visperas is 168-257 for 2,104 yards and 22 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. He has ran for an additional 490 non-sack yards and three scores. However, part of scrambling around is taking some sacks and putting the ball on the ground. Kentucky’s pass rush will have some opportunities to put Visperas behind the chains, but keeping him from scrambling for extra yardage will be tricky. He has also fumbled the ball eight times this season. The Wildcats are coming off of forcing four turnovers against Florida. Tennessee Tech can’t cough it up on Saturday afternoon if they have any hopes of an upset.

Two Talented Tailbacks

Quarterback Kekoa Visperas is a key part of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles running game. However, there are two running backs that are putting up big numbers as well. Quintell Quinn has proven himself as one of the most elusive rushers at the FCS level. He has forced 32 missed tackles and is gaining an incredible 5.49 yards after contact. On the season, Quinn has rushed for a team-leading 655 yards and nine touchdowns. Meanwhile, Q’Daryius Jennings leads the Golden Eagles with 10 rushing touchdowns. He has 497 rushing yards on the season. Aidan Littles, 234 yards and four touchdowns, will likely see some carries as well.

Led by Quinn and Jennings who average a combined 7.1 yards per carry, this is a run-heavy offense. Tennessee Tech uses that RPO-scheme to keep the defense guessing and has enough different weapons to keep rotating guys through. When it isn’t one of the two traditional running backs, it can be Visperas keeping it himself or Littles who also has three receiving touchdowns along with his four scores on the ground. Kentucky will have to be strong up front to slow down the Tennessee Tech rushing attack.

Golden Eagles Feature Multiple Options at Wide Receiver

There are five different receivers with at least 17 receptions and two touchdowns on the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles roster. Maury Sullivan, a transfer from the Division II level, leads the way in both receptions and yards with 472 yards on 35 catches and four touchdowns. Noah Robinson isn’t far behind despite missing two games. The Robert Morris transfer has 28 catches for 415 yards and a team-high six touchdowns. Tremel Jones and Tre’ Holloway are big play producers who will factor into the passing attack as well. Kekoa Visperas is going to spread the wealth when it comes to the passing game.

Championship-Level Defense

The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles have been highly effective offensively, but the reason why they are competing for a FCS championship comes on the defensive end. They lead the country in rush defense and tackles for loss while ranking in the top five in scoring defense and yards allowed per play.

11 of their 15 top tacklers from last season return creating a good deal of continuity on the defensive end. Tennessee Tech is an aggressive unit that will look to create havoc, but can also be a bit leaky in terms of allowing big plays. Cutter Boley will have opportunities to get the ball downfield if he can avoid the initial pressure.