---
title: "Tennessee Tech Routs Eastern Kentucky for Sixth Win"
url: https://www.herenashville.com/2026/10/18/tennessee-tech-beats-eastern-kentucky-49-20/
date: 2026-10-18T06:21:53-05:00
modified: 2026-10-18T06:21:53-05:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERENashville"
attribution: "HERENashville"
---

# Tennessee Tech Routs Eastern Kentucky for Sixth Win

> COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Tech turned a 7-7 game into a rout on Saturday afternoon, piling up 42 unanswered points on the way to a 49-20 football win over Eastern Kentucky at Tucker Stadium. The victory lifts the Golden Eagles to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in league play. Eastern Kentucky fell to 2-5. Quarterback Jax

*Source: [HERENashville](https://www.herenashville.com/2026/10/18/tennessee-tech-beats-eastern-kentucky-49-20/) — October 18, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

*From the HERE City State Desk*

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Tech turned a 7-7 game into a rout on Saturday afternoon, piling up 42 unanswered points on the way to a 49-20 football win over Eastern Kentucky at Tucker Stadium.

The victory lifts the Golden Eagles to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in league play. Eastern Kentucky fell to 2-5.

Quarterback Jax Leatherwood threw three touchdown passes. He found Tre’ Holloway from 36 yards out on the opening drive, hit Eric Weatherly for a 19-yard score with 22 seconds left in the first half and connected with Holloway again from 4 yards in the fourth quarter.

The Colonels pulled even late in the first quarter when Jeffrey Kinley picked off a Leatherwood pass and ran it back 95 yards. That was their last answer for a long stretch. Qua Ashley scored on a 2-yard run, Jameson Wharton took an interception 21 yards to the end zone, and Tech went to the locker room ahead 28-7.

The second half belonged to the Tech ground game. MJ Flowers scored from 7 yards and Ashley broke a 42-yard touchdown run to make it 42-7 after three quarters.

Tennessee Tech outgained the visitors 453 to 301, ran up 29 first downs to 14 and kept the ball for 35:18. Eastern Kentucky freshman Ryder Hooks ran for 166 yards on 10 carries, including an 18-yard touchdown, and the Colonels added a late 1-yard score as time ran out.

The balance showed up across the stat sheet. Tech threw for 215 yards and ran for 238, and it converted 7 of 10 third downs. Eastern Kentucky leaned almost entirely on the run, finishing with 267 rushing yards but only 34 through the air, as quarterback Jordyn Potts went 5 of 12 with two interceptions.

Linebacker Cam Jessee led the Colonels defense with 11 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Eastern Kentucky stays home next Saturday for its homecoming game against West Florida, with a 3 p.m. Eastern kickoff.