Sweeney’s 28-yard TD pass to Benford pushes Tennessee Tech past Tennessee State 20-13

Tennessee Tech holds off Tennessee State 20-13

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Lee Sweeney threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Tim Benford with 3:08 to play, sending the Tennessee Tech to a 20-13 win over Tennessee State on Saturday.

Sweeney’s game-winning touchdown pass for Tech came less than 5 minutes after Calvin McNairl’s 12-yard scoring run pulled State even at 13.

Sweeney, who was 12-for-23 with 188 yards and two interceptions, also threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Colin Allen in the first quarter to give the Golden Eagles (5-3, 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference) a 13-0 lead. Benford finished with 122 yards receiving on five catches, including the game-winning score.

After getting within 13-6 on Sidney Tarver’s 89-yard interception return in the first, the Tigers (3-5, 2-2) pulled even on McNairl’s touchdown run with 7:56 to play.

With the win, the Golden Eagles have defeated each of the OVC’s other in-state teams (Austin Peay, Tennessee-Martin).