Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics
The Tennessee State football team will hit the road for the second straight week as they will travel to Kennesaw, Ga., to take on Kennesaw for their first of three straight non-conference games. The Owls have dropped four straight games, while the Tigers come into Saturday’s matchup off their second loss of the season.
Tennessee State (2-2, 1-1) vs. Kennesaw (1-4)
Date: Sat., October 3
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Kennesaw, Ga.
Venue: Fifth Third Bank Stadium (9,800)
TV: ESPN+
TBA (pxp)
TBA (analyst)
Radio: WNSR — 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), 107.9 FM (Smyrna)
Sirius XM: Ch. 381
Stream: TSU Tigers App, WNSR.com, Alexa (Play WNSR)
Greg Pogue (pxp)
Chris Sanders (analyst)
Social:@TSU_Tigers | @TSUTigersFB
Game Notes: TSU | KSU
Game Day Information:Watch | Live Stats
SERIES INFORMATION: This will be the first-ever matchup between TSU and KSU. This season marks the final year at the FCS level for Kennesaw as they will become FBS members and play in the Conference USA next season.
WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN: TSU Football can be heard on WNSR’s flagship network, 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), 107.9 FM (Smyrna), and WNSR.com. Globally, the broadcast can be heard on Sirius XM. Additionally, WNSR will offer in-depth pregame and postgame analysis, exclusive interviews with coaches and players, and behind-the-scenes content to engage fans on a deeper level. “The Voice of the Tigers” Greg Pogue returns for his 12th season behind the mic and will be joined by former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chris Sanders. Nashville broadcasting legend Albert Dawson will fill in for Sanders. The action can also be heard on the TSU Tigers app.
TSU BY THE NUMBERS
6,084: The number of career passing yards that Draylen Ellis now has in his career. The second year Tiger passes for 180 yards against UTM to hit the 6,000-yard threshold for career passing yards. Ellis transferred in from Austin Peay with 3,894 yards under his belt and has tacked on 2,190 yards in 14 games as a Tiger. He is currently ranked 13th in active FCS quarterbacks in career passing yards.
10: The number of career interceptions that safety Josh Green has in his career. Green hit the double-digit pick mark against UTM as he came down with an interception in the endzone for a touchback. He picked off two passes in 2019, three in the spring of 2021, one in the fall of 2021, and three last season. Green is now tied for 6th on TSU’s career interception list.
13: The number of punts that Jackson Foster has landed inside the 20-yard line this season. Foster leads the Big South-OVC in punts inside the 20. He has punted 31 times this season for 1,186. He landed five inside the 20 against GWU and four against UT Martin.
RECORD BREAKER: Linebacker Monroe Beard III broke the TSU single-game record for tackles in a game with 19 against UTM. The transfer from UAPB finished with seven solo tackles, 12 assists, and one pass breakup as he etched his way into the TSU record books, while also being named the Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Week. He broke Kalvin Baker’s record of 18 tackles, which was also set against UT Martin 16 years ago in 2007. his marked Beard’s third straight game of 10+ tackles after finishing with 11 against UAPB and 12 against Gardner-Webb. Beard leads the Big South-OVC in total tackles with 49 and in tackles per game with 12.3. He ranks 5th in the FCS with 12.3 tackles per game.
GOING FOR A DRIVE: The TSU offense has put together four scoring drives of 70+ yards this season, three of which have gone for 85+ yards. The Tigers put together three big scoring drives against UAPB with the first being 10 plays for 99 yards and a TD. TSU would also reel off a 12-play 85-yard drive that resulted in a TD and a 10-play 76-yard drive that ended in a field goal. TSU capped off an 11-play 96-yard drive with a TD against GWU.
THREE IN A ROW: TSU kicker James Lowery connected on his third straight field goal of 40+ yards in the loss against UTM. The redshirt junior knocked through a 42-yard field goal for the first score of the game. Prior to that, Lowery connected on a 49-yard and 50-yard FG against GWU to his 42-yard score his third straight.
COMING INTO HIS OWN: With 69 career tackles, 19.5 for loss, and six sacks, TSU defensive end Chris Walker has had a nice career up to this point. The fourth-year junior has progressed each season as a Tiger and is off to a strong start this season. After finishing with 22 tackles, five TFLs, and two sacks last season as a member of the defensive line rotation, Walker has 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks through four games as a starter. Walker recorded a career-high seven tackles, two for loss, and one sack at UT Martin. He has had three straight games of six-plus tackles and leads TSU’s defensive line in tackles.
