image via Tennessee State Football
12
EIU
13
Winner TSU
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EIU | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 12 |
| TSU | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee State football delivered a dramatic Senior Day victory Saturday, rallying late in the fourth quarter before holding off Eastern Illinois for a 13-12 win at Nissan Stadium.
With the Tigers trailing 10-7 and time winding down, quarterback Daylin Lee connected with Brenton Paul for the go-ahead touchdown with 2:21 remaining. The touchdown capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive that put Tennessee State in front, 13-10.
However, the Panthers weren’t finished. Eastern Illinois blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt, and Jerry Addo-Boateng returned the blocked kick 63 yards for a two-point defensive conversion, trimming the Tigers’ advantage to 13-12.
Tennessee State’s defense ultimately delivered the deciding plays. After Bryce Gray recorded a sack, Rymen Mosley intercepted Eastern Illinois quarterback Cole LaCrue with 1:46 remaining to seal the victory.
The win improved Tennessee State to 3-8 overall and 1-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play, giving the Tigers their first conference victory of the season.
Tennessee State Overcomes Early Deficit
Eastern Illinois opened the scoring with 11:54 remaining in the second quarter when LaCrue connected with Jeremy Reeves for a 40-yard touchdown. The Panthers carried a 7-0 advantage into halftime.
Tennessee State responded in the third quarter after its defense created a turnover. DeShawn Carter recorded a sack and forced a fumble, which Gray recovered at the Eastern Illinois 20-yard line.
The Tigers capitalized on the opportunity, with Lee eventually punching in a 3-yard touchdown run. Britton Watts added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter.
Eastern Illinois regained the lead in the fourth quarter when Drew Schiller connected on a 37-yard field goal with 7:42 remaining.
That set the stage for Tennessee State’s late-game heroics and Paul’s game-winning touchdown reception.
Lee, Paul Lead the Tennessee State Offense
Lee orchestrated the Tigers’ offense, completing 20 of 34 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. He also rushed for 27 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts.
Paul contributed 41 rushing yards on eight carries while adding three receptions for 26 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Brock Montgomery led Tennessee State in receiving with five catches for 61 yards. Cam Bulluck added four receptions for 47 yards, while Jerimiah Treadaway finished with two catches for 26 yards and 35 rushing yards.
Dylan Rodd contributed 21 receiving yards on one reception.
Tennessee State finished with 319 total offensive yards, including 211 through the air and 108 on the ground.
Defensive Pressure Makes the Difference
The Tigers’ defense played a significant role in the victory, consistently disrupting LaCrue and the Eastern Illinois offense.
Tennessee State recorded six sacks for 45 yards in losses, 10 tackles for loss and two takeaways.
Carter finished with two sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Gray contributed a sack and recovered the forced fumble, while Mosley’s late interception secured the victory.
The Tigers limited Eastern Illinois to 190 total yards, including 101 passing yards and 89 rushing yards.
LaCrue completed 10 of 19 passes for 101 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was also sacked six times.
Tennessee State Wins the Statistical Battle
Tennessee State controlled much of the statistical battle, outgaining Eastern Illinois 319-190 and recording 17 first downs compared to 11 for the Panthers.
The Tigers averaged 4.6 yards per play compared to Eastern Illinois’ 3.8 and held the advantage in time of possession, 31:03 to 27:11.
The biggest difference came in protecting the football. Tennessee State finished without a turnover, while Eastern Illinois lost two turnovers.
The Tigers also converted two of four fourth-down opportunities and held the Panthers to just two conversions on 11 third-down attempts.
Team Statistics
| Statistic | EIU | TSU |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST DOWNS | ||
| Total | 11 | 17 |
| Rushing | 6 | 7 |
| Passing | 3 | 9 |
| Penalty | 2 | 1 |
| RUSHING | ||
| Total (Net) | 89 | 108 |
| Attempts | 31 | 35 |
| Avg. Per Rush | 2.9 | 3.1 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
| Yds. Gained | 143 | 132 |
| Yds. Lost | 54 | 24 |
| PASSING | ||
| Total (Net) | 101 | 211 |
| Comp.-Att.-Int. | 10-19-1 | 20–34-0 |
| Avg. / Att. | 5.3 | 6.2 |
| Avg. / Comp. | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| TDs | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL OFFENSE | ||
| Yards | 190 | 319 |
| Plays | 50 | 69 |
| Avg. / Play | 3.8 | 4.6 |
| Fumbles – Lost | 3–1 | 1-0 |
| Penalties – Yds. | 4-33 | 5–45 |
| PUNTING | ||
| Punts – Yds. | 6–241 | 5-175 |
| Avg. / Punt | 40.2 | 35 |
| Inside 20 | 3 | 1 |
| 50+ Yds. | 1 | 0 |
| Touchbacks | 1 | 0 |
| Fair Catch | 5 | 2 |
| KICKOFFS | ||
| Total – Yds. | 3-191 | 3-162 |
| Avg. Yds. / Kickoff | 63.7 | 54.0 |
| Touchbacks | 0 | 0 |
| RETURNS | ||
| Punt: Total – Yds. – TDs | 1–1-0 | 0-0-0 |
| Punt: Avg. / Return | 1.0 | 0 |
| Kickoff: Total – Yds. – TDs | 2-35-0 | 2-36-0 |
| Kickoff: Avg. / Return | 17.5 | 18.0 |
| INT: Total – Yds. – TDs | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 |
| Fumble: Total – Yds. – TDs | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 |
| MISCELLANEOUS | ||
| Misc. Yards | 63 | 0 |
| Poss. Time | 27:11 | 31:03 |
| 3rd. Down Conv. | 2 of 11 | 4 of 14 |
| 4th. Down Conversions | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Red-Zone: Scores – Chances | 1-1 | 2–3 |
| Sacks: Total – Yds. | 3-17 | 6–45 |
| PAT: Total – Made | 1-1 | 1-2 |
| 2PT Conversion: Total – Made | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Field Goals: Total – Made | 1-1 | 0-1 |
What’s Next?
Tennessee State will close out its 2026 campaign on Saturday, November 21, with a road matchup against Gardner-Webb.
The Tigers will look to carry the momentum from their Senior Day victory into the season finale after earning their first Ohio Valley Conference win.
