Tennessee state football Archives

Tennessee State falls to Alabama A&M in Legacy Series opener, 23-21

September 14, 2025September 14, 2025 Brandon King

Tennessee State’s offense seemed to find its way in the second quarter, scoring 21 points and racking up 182 yards. However, the unit sputtered in the second half ( scoring no points and generating 92 yards in 33 plays) as Tennessee State was defeated by Alabama A&M in the first leg of the Legacy Series, 23-21. Alabama A&M got on the board first with a 26-yard field goal off the foot of Victor Barbosa, caping off a 9-play, 62-yard drive, putting the Bulldogs up 3-0 at the 8:25 mark of…

The Legacy Series: Alabama A&M Bulldogs + Tennessee State Tigers : Beyond the Game, Strategic Alignment and A Bold Vision

September 12, 2025September 14, 2025 Brandon King

Saturday Tennessee State and Alabama A&M will renew gridiron pleasantries in the first installment of the Legacy Series, a four-year alternating home and home series that reinvigorates the long-dormant matchup. Before this agreement, the two schools had not met since September 4, 2010, a contest won by Tennessee State, 27-14. “We’re excited to launch the ‘Legacy Series’, a celebration of the rich history and excellence of Tennessee State University and Alabama A&M. This series honors the cultural and athletic legacies that continue to inspire our HBCU community,” said Tennessee State…

North Dakota State dominates Tennessee State 59-3

September 6, 2025September 6, 2025 Brandon King

Saturday afternoon Nissan Stadium served as the scene of a crime. A herd of North Dakota bison brutally and openly bludgeoned a group of Tigers 59-3 over the course of 60 minutes in front of 8,569 witnesses. North Dakota State got right to work, scoring on their first two drives – on scoring runs of 10 and 4 yards from Barika Kpeenu- to take a 14-0 lead with 7:08 left in the opening quarter. Following forcing a quick three-and-out the Bison seemed poised to punch it in for their third…

Tennessee State’s Rhymes named Co-National HBCU Player of the Week

September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 Brandon King

Tennessee State University running back Kendric Rhymes was named BOXTOROW Co-national HBCU Player of the Week. In the Tigers’ 24-21 win over the Aggies of North Carolina AT&T in the John A. Merritt classic, the Southern University transfer rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. The first of those touchdowns, a 60-yard scamper in the third quarter, pushed Tennessee State back out in front 17-14. The graduate student’s second score, a 51-yard home run extended Tennessee State’s lead to 24 to 14. Rhymes and his gridiron exploits…

Tennessee State’s DeVaughn Slaughter named OVC-Big South Freshman of the Week

September 1, 2025September 2, 2025 Brandon King

Tennessee State wide receiver DeVaughn Slaughter was named Ohio Valley BIG South freshman of the week for his own field exploits this past week. In the Tigers 24-21 season opening win over North Carolina A&T Slaughter caught an 82-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 7 in the first quarter. He fined the game with 4 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. He also was impactful in the return game, averaging 17.5 yards per return on a pair of kickoffs. Slaughter finished with 129 yards of all purpose…

Big plays power Tennessee State past North Carolina A&T in John A. Merritt Classic

August 30, 2025 Brandon King

image via TSU Athletics Tennessee State and North Carolina A&T locked horns in the 2025 John A. Merritt Classic, the first time the two schools had met since Tennessee State laid a 37-7 beating on the Aggies in the 2010 Circle City Classic. Buoyed by big plays, the Tigers were able to defeat North Carolina A&T 24-21 in a winning start to the Reggie Barlow era. North Carolina A&T struck first, taking a 7-0 lead when Wesley Graves burst through the middle and took it 40 yards to the end…

Tennessee State’s QB1 Still Up in the Air as Saturday Approaches

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 Brandon King

Outside of head coach, deciding on who’s going to be the quarterback is one of the most important decisions for a football team. like so many other teams crossed the country Tennessee State has yet to come to the decision of who will occupy QB one. Head coach Reggie Barlow touched on the quarterback situation in Tuesday morning’s Big South-OVC Football Coaches Call and seemed to allude to it being a three-man race for QB1. “[Jonathan] Palmer is a smart kid [and] we are happy to have him here. He’s…

Should Tennessee State follow Tennessee Tech’s Lead by Leaving the OVC and Seek Expansion Membership in a Different Conference? As a Member of the SWAC, what would a Tennessee State Football Schedule Reveal in 2026?

August 21, 2025September 12, 2025 Brandon King

Since Eddie George, former NFL star and current head coach at Tennessee State University, made his comment about the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) being a “dying conference” in 2021, the OVC has indeed seen a notable shift in membership. As of 2023, the OVC has lost several schools, and his comment has proven to be somewhat prophetic in highlighting the conference’s struggles with realignment and stability. Here’s a breakdown of the schools that have left or are set to leave the OVC since that remark: 1. Tennessee Tech (2026) –…

Tennessee State HBCU All-American enters transfer portal

August 19, 2025August 19, 2025 Brandon King

Less than two weeks before Tennessee State kicks off the season against North Carolina A&T in the John Merritt Classic, TSU defensive back Camani Cobbs announced he was entering the transfer portal. The redshirt sophomore made his decision public in a straight-to-the-point Twitter post that read in part, “Thank you Tennessee State University for allowing me to develop and build as a man on and off the field.” Last season the Southeast Missouri transfer appeared in 8 contests for the Tigers, recording 3 pass breakups, 7 total tackles, (6 solo),…

Tennessee State’s Camani Cobbs named to HBCU All-America Team

August 10, 2025August 10, 2025 Brandon King

Tennessee State redshirt sophomore defensive back Camani Cobbs was named to the BOXTOROW HBCU All-America Team. Last season the Southeast Missouri transfer appeared in 8 games for the Tigers, recording 7 total tackles, (6 solo), posting a season high 3 against Western Illinois on November 9, 2024, as well as 3 pass breakups. This is the latest preseason honor for the Cobbs, as the McDonough, GA native was also named to the OVC-Big South Preseason Players to Watch List, one of six TSU players to receive such honors.