Cookeville, Tenn.- The Maryville College Scots took on NCAA Division I foe Tennessee Tech on Thursday evening in front of over 7,000 fans at Tech's Overall Field. The Eagles set the pace early and often beating the Scots 56-7 for MC's first Division I challenge since 1979.
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles struck fast and furious scoring in their first four consecutive possessions. Tech quarterback Tre Lamb connected on a 24-yard score to Tim Benford in the first minute of the contest. Eagle running back Dontey Gay finished off a 67-yard drive with a 19-yard dash to pay dirt. Maryville native Zach Sharp's pair of PAT's made the score 14-0 with less than five minutes off the clock.
Lamb connected again with Benford for a 71 yard scoring pass with 6:13 left in the first quarter. Tech's fourth possession resulted in a seven play, 76 yard scoring drive. Ron Durbin recovered a completed pass fumbled at the Scots five yard line and took it to the house. At the end of the first period Tennessee Tech paced the Scots by a 28-0 mark.
The second quarter began with a Travis Adkins interception of MC quarterback Tim Conner. Adkins' second career pick resulted in a 11-yard TD scamper. Tech finished the first half with Lamb's 4th TD pass of the half. The signal caller connected with senior Charlie Stevens as time expired for a 38 yard score. At the half Maryville trailed 42-0.
MC's Conner saw his first pass attempt intercepted by Tech's Corey Watson. Watson crossed the goal line with a 38 yard return and Tech took a 49-0 advantage.
With 7:10 remaining in the third quarter Tech quarterback Darian Stone used a keeper around the right corner to cross the end zone from 74 yards away. The Eagles used Sharp's PAT to make the score 56-0.
The fourth quarter began with a strong Maryville offensive drive. Trailing 56-0 MC tried a fourth down and one, but Tech's defense stopped the Scots at the 22 yard line.
MC drove to a first and goal in the final four minutes after a long sustained drive. Tim Conner scrambled on a third down from three yards out to give MC their first score. The 14-play, 81 yard drive took 6:16 and Andrew Noboa's PAT made the score 56-7 with 2:45 remaining.
Tennessee Tech (1-1) finished with 566 combined offensive yards. Dontey Gay tallied 155 yards rushing averaging 8.2 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Tre Lamb was 11-for-14 for 222 passing yards and four touchdown tosses. His favorite target was Tim Benford who hauled in six passes for 131 yards and a pair of scores. Tra'Dariu Goff paced the Eagle defense with eight total tackles.
Maryville (0-2) was paced offensively by Travis Felder's 71 yards rushing. Tim Conner was 13-for-22 for 108 yards while Jake Crawford went 9-for-20 via the air for 51 passing yards. Wesley Idlette pulled in seven passes for a team-high 54 yards receiving. Defensive backs Kane Crowell and Bud Christy led MC's defense with 11 total tackles each. Christy tied M's career interception mark with 13 picks following a second quarter interception and 20-yard return, his second pick of the season.
The Scots will take to the road on September 17 when they travel to LaGrange, Georgia to challenge the Panthers of LaGrange College.