Despite a disappointing loss this past weekend, the Golden Eagles 2011 season will go down as the most successful in recent memory.
Tech earned several honors and records both as a team and as individuals.
The Golden Eagles finished the regular season with an overall record of 7-3, the most wins for Tech since the 2001 season.
The team finished with a conference record of 6-2, which earned the program its first share of the OVC title since 1975 and 10th in school history. Wins over the other two 6-2 conference teams, Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky, clinched Tech its first FCS playoff berth.
The team also earned a share of the Sergeant York Trophy, going 2-1 against the other OVC schools in the state of Tennessee.
Tech set new school season-highs this season by scoring 355 points and earning 237 first downs.
Several individuals were honored for their performances this season as well.
Head coach Watson Brown was named OVC Roy Kidd Coach of the Year and was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, which honors the best coach in the entire FCS.
Senior wide receiver Tim Benford also received a top honor as he was voted the OVC Offensive Player of the Year. He is only the fourth receiver to win the award and only the second Golden Eagle.
Benford’s 86 receptions and 826 yards led the OVC this season and brought his career totals to 217 receptions and 3,104 yards, making him second all-time in the conference in both categories.
He was also named to his third All-OVC first-team.
In total, nine Golden Eagles were named to All-OVC teams.
Joining Benford on the first- team were senior Scott Schweitzer, junior Marcus Edwards, and senior Richmond Tooley.
Second-team All-OVC Golden Eagles were senior Dontey Gay, senior Travis Adkins, junior Will Johnson, and senior Nick Campbell.
Freshman Austin Tallant was named to the All-Newcomer team.
