Tag: Tennessee state football

Tennessee State unveils 2026 football schedule

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Image via Tennessee State football Tennessee State University football announced its 2026 season schedule on Tuesday, highlighted by a four major HBCU games, a challenging slate of OVC–Big South Conference games, marquee home matchups and key road tests as the Tigers look to build momentum under second-year head coach Reggie Barlow. TSU vs Jackson State — Week 0 — Aug 29 The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between TSU and Jackson State at the John A. Merritt Classic, adding a new chapter to a series that dates back more than seven…

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Tennessee State to face FAMU in Tallahassee in 2026

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Jackson State will not be the only long-time rival to return to Tennessee State’s schedule in 2026. Florida A&M unveiled its 2026 schedule and the Tigers and Rattlers will be getting it on. The September 19 meeting will see Tennessee State head to Tallahassee, FL to face FAMU at Bragg Memorial Stadium.  The two-game series will see a return matchup in Nashville in 2027.  “This rivalry represents the very foundation of HBCU football-tradition, excellence, and community, ” said Tennessee State Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen. “Reconnecting with Florida A&M…

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Tennessee State to play Morgan State in 2026 and 2027

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Tennessee State and Morgan State will take part in a home-and-home series that starts in 2026.  TSU will welcome Morgan State on October 17, 2026, with the return meeting to take place in Baltimore next season.  Tennessee State is 4-0 all-time against Morgan, beating the Bears 14-0 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in the 1972 Atlanta Ebony Classic and then 21-0 in 1985 at Vanderbilt Stadium.  The 1985 win was followed by a 52-10 beatdown in Baltimore in 1986, as well as a 37-17 victory in 1987 at Hale Stadium.  Information…

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Here is Tennessee State football’s 2026 conference schedule 

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On Tuesday, the Ohio Valley-Big South Football Conference announced its 2026 conference schedule.  Tennessee State’s 8-game conference docket is comprised of 4 home games and 4 on the road and opens with a trip to Macomb, Illinois to face Western Illinois, who edged the Tigers 17-16 last season, on October 3.  That is followed by a home game against UT Martin, the SkyHawks defeated the Tigers 26-7 aseason ago, on October 10 and then the Tigers have their bye week on October 17.  TSU returns to action October 24, playing…

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Tennessee State football adds Matt Leone as Offensive Coordinator

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Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics NASHVILLE — Matt Leone has joined the Tennessee State football coaching staff as offensive coordinator for the 2026 season, bringing a proven track record of developing high-powered offenses at the FCS and NAIA levels. Leone comes to TSU after serving as offensive coordinator at North Carolina Central University, where he helped engineer one of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s most productive offenses. During the 2025 campaign, the Eagles averaged 33.75 points and 420.9 total yards per game, scoring 30 or more points in eight contests. Quarterback Walker Harris flourished…

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The rivalry is back: Tennessee State and Jackson State to get it on in the John A. Merritt Classic 

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Tennessee State and Jackson State will renew football pleasantries in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic on Saturday, August 29 at Nissan Stadium.  The Week 0 , matchup will mark the first time the TSU and JSU have met in the Merritt Classic. The two-storied program has been getting it on since 1949, but since 1990 has primarily met in the Southern Heritage Classic, taking part in 29 of the 36 games, with the last such matchup taking place on September 10, 2022, a 16-3 win for Jackson State. Tennessee…

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Tennessee State lands former 3-star running back in transfer portal

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Former Minnesota running back Trey Berry has committed to Tennessee State, according to his social media.  Berry was a 3-star prospect coming out of Lanier High School (Montgomery, AL), where he ran for 1,962 yards and 19 touchdowns in 23 games. He was ranked the 55th-best prospect in the state of Alabama and the 127th-best running back in the country, per 247Sports.  He received offers from multiple schools including Middle Tennessee, Jacksonville State, UAB, Marshall, James Madison, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Georgia State, Jackson State, Western Illinois, Illinois State, Arkansas…

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Micah Gay headed to Jackson State

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Next season Former Tennessee State linebacker will be terrorizing offenses in the Southwestern Athletic Conference as he announced Friday afternoon he was committing to Jackson State. Gay put it on wax via a post on X that was captioned “Respect my decision” and featured a short video.  For Gay, 2025 was a breakout season that saw him record 61 total tackles (34 solo, 27 assisted), 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.  Following this season the redshirt junior entered the transfer portal and drew…

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Tennessee State adds 9 to the fold during early signing period

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Courtesy of Nick Guerriero, Assistant AD – Communications & Broadcasting  Story Links NASHVILLE — Tennessee State football head coach Reggie Barlow signed nine student-athletes during the three-day early signing period from Dec. 3–5, adding key pieces on both sides of the ball. The Tigers brought in six offensive players and three defensive specialists as they continue to build depth and versatility across the roster. The offensive class is anchored by three linemen in junior transfer Slater Adams (6-foot-3, 325 pounds) from Quitman, Miss.; Kennedy Jackson (6-3, 290) from Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and LaRodney McQueen…

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Tennessee State’s Micah Gay enters the transfer portal 

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Tennessee State linebacker Micah Gay has hopped into the transfer portal according to his representatives Michael Salvo and Tristan Kuhn of Nilson Sports.  The redshirt junior was second in the team with 61 tackles (34 solo, 27 assisted), while also adding 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery.  The Atlanta, GA native has appeared in 28 games for Tennessee State, recording 78 total tackles ( 44 solo, 34 assisted) 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defensed and 2 fumble recoveries. The October 20 Big South-OVC…

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