Defense and Second-Half Passing Surge Tennessee Tech Past Chattanooga, 24-9

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CHATTANOOGA, TN - Powered by a stout defensive effort and two second-half touchdown passes from quarterback Jax Leatherwood, Tennessee Tech pulled away from in-state rival Chattanooga for a 24-9 victory at Finley Stadium. The Golden Eagles capitalized on two key interceptions to score 14 points off turnovers and improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Mocs dropped to 1-1.

Chattanooga struck first late in the opening quarter with a 22-yard field goal by Jude Kelley. Tennessee Tech responded midway through the second quarter, engineering an eight-play, 45-yard drive capped by Marcus Harris II’s 1-yard touchdown plunge to take a 7-3 lead. Kelley trimmed the deficit to 7-6 with a 33-yard field goal as time expired in the half.

The Golden Eagles extended their lead in the third quarter behind Carter Brown, who nailed a 50-yard field goal to make it 10-6. Minutes later, Leatherwood connected with Maury Sullivan on a 16-yard touchdown pass to build a 17-6 advantage. Sullivan led all Tech receivers on the night with five catches for 68 yards.

Chattanooga pulled back within a single score, 17-9, on Kelley’s third field goal of the evening—a 39-yarder early in the fourth quarter. However, Tennessee Tech put the game out of reach with a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Running back M.J. Flowers sparked the march with a 32-yard run—part of his team-high 50 rushing yards—setting up an 11-yard touchdown strike from Leatherwood to Gabe Nunez with 5:48 remaining.

Leatherwood finished 19-of-32 passing for 161 yards and two touchdowns, extending his streak of throwing at least one touchdown pass to three straight games.

Tennessee Tech’s defense stifled the Mocs’ passing attack, holding Chattanooga to just 37 net passing yards. Defensive backs Jameson Wharton and Omari Philyaw each recorded interceptions, while Hudson Tucker, Ameer Johnson, and Kanstin Brooks brought down Mocs quarterback Battle Alberson for sacks. Philyaw led the Golden Eagles with seven total tackles. Chattanooga’s Journey Wyche rushed for a game-high 113 yards, but the Mocs converted just 3 of 13 third downs.

Tennessee Tech returns home to open Southern Conference play against Samford on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Tucker Stadium.