Leatherwood’s late TD run lifts Tennessee Tech over ETSU 24-17

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — Jax Leatherwood threw for 218 yards and ran for a touchdown late to give Tennessee Tech a 24-17 victory over East Tennessee State on Saturday.

Tennessee Tech (8-1, 5-1), ranked No. 11 in the Stats Perform poll, moved into a tie with Chattanooga atop the Southern Conference standings while No. 17 ETSU (6-3, 4-1) ended a five-game win streak and is in a second-place tie with Mercer.

Carter Brown’s 33-yard field goal for the Golden Eagles early in the fourth tied it 17-all. Leatherwood’s 1-yard scoring run ended a 12-play, 90-yard drive that ate about 7 minutes off the clock with 4:08 remaining.

Mason Mims led the Buccaneers on the ensuing series to the Tech 10 with 30 seconds to go but threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-5.

TJ Peyton finished with 123 yards rushing and Jason Albritton added 76, and each had a touchdown run for the Buccaneers, who led 17-14 at the break but were shut out in the second half.

M.J. Flowers had 65 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Golden Eagles. Qua Ashley added 58 yards on the ground with a score.

Up next

Tennessee Tech: hosts VMI on Saturday.

East Tennessee State: at home Saturday against Samford.

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