COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Dylan Laible connected with Tremel Jones on a 33-yard touchdown pass to kick off the fourth quarter, leading Tennessee Tech to a 28-23 victory over Charleston Southern on Saturday. This win marked the Buccaneers’ fifth consecutive loss and was a crucial triumph for the Golden Eagles, who had not won in their previous three outings. This match was particularly significant as it was the first meeting between these two teams, and it comes during Charleston Southern’s second season within the conference after they did not play against Tennessee Tech last year.
In the first half, Dom LeBlanc successfully converted field goals from 30 and 39 yards. Later, Laible found D.J. Linkins with a deep 69-yard touchdown pass, giving the Golden Eagles a 19-7 lead by halftime. However, Charleston Southern mounted a comeback in the third quarter. Kaleb Jackson connected with Chris Rhone for a 70-yard touchdown, and Tyson Greenwade added a 12-yard touchdown run, putting the Buccaneers ahead 21-19 as they entered the final quarter.
Following Laible’s touchdown to Jones, Tennessee Tech attempted a two-point conversion, but Laible’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Ja’Kobe North. North raced 95 yards before being brought down, but during the ensuing scramble for the loose ball, Champ Brantley managed to recover it at the 6-yard line and scored a defensive two-point conversion, closing the gap to 25-23 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.
Laible had an impressive showing, going 9-for-16 for 175 yards with two touchdowns, leading Tennessee Tech (3-5, 3-2 Big South-Ohio Valley Association). Jalen Mitchell contributed significantly, rushing for 94 yards on 15 carries, while Linkins had three catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
On the other side, Jackson completed 14 of 29 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown for Charleston Southern (1-7, 0-5), but he also threw two interceptions. Greenwade tallied 95 yards on 24 carries, and Rhone made three receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown, reflecting a solid performance, though it ultimately ended in disappointment for the Buccaneers.