Jax Leatherwood's 3 TDs lead Tennessee Tech past Eastern Kentucky

Qua Ashley ran for two scores, M.J. Flowers racked up 108 rushing yards and Jameson Wharton returned an interception 21 yards to help the No. 15 Golden Eagles improve to 6-1.

Oct 17, 2026 at 6:08 pm ET • 1 min read

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Jax Leatherwood threw three touchdowns passes to lead Tennessee Tech to a 49-20 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday.

Leatherwood was 22-of-30 passing for 199 yards. M.J. Flowers ran for 108 yards and a touchdown and Qua Ashley added 77 yards rushing and two scores for Tennessee Tech (6-1), ranked No. 15 in the Stats Perform poll.

Leatherwood threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Tre' Holloway to cap Tennessee Tech's first drive of the game. Ashley scored on a 2-yard run, Jameson Wharton had a 21-yard pick-6, Leatherwood added a 19-yard touchdown pass to Eric Weatherly, and the Golden Eagles took a 28-7 lead into the break.

Ashley's 42-yard touchdown run made it 42-7 midway through the third quarter.

Ryder Hooks had a 44-yard touchdown run and finished with 166 yards on the ground for Eastern Kentucky (2-5). Jeffrey Kinley returned an interception 95 yards for a score for the Colonels in the first quarter.

Eastern Kentucky: Hosts West Florida on Saturday.

Tennessee Tech: At The Citadel on Saturday.

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Qua Ashley ran for two scores, M.J. Flowers racked up 108 rushing yards and Jameson Wharton returned an interception 21 yards to help the No. 15 Golden Eagles improve to 6-1.

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