image via Tennessee State Athletics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee State built an early 14-point lead and generated 391 yards of total offense, but costly turnovers and a struggling rushing attack proved too much to overcome in a 42-28 loss to UT Martin on Saturday.
The Tigers jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter advantage behind quarterback Daylin Lee, who connected with Aaron Duncan II for a 21-yard touchdown before finding Cam Bulluck for an explosive 99-yard scoring strike.
Tennessee State carried a 21-14 lead into halftime, but the Skyhawks took control after the break, scoring 28 second-half points to complete the comeback.
The difference was ball security. Tennessee State committed four turnovers, including three interceptions and a lost fumble. UT Martin turned two of those mistakes into defensive touchdowns, swinging the momentum in a game the Tigers had initially controlled.
The loss left both teams with 1-4 records.
Tennessee State Starts Fast
Tennessee State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.
With 7:19 remaining in the first quarter, Lee completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Duncan II to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
TSU struck again just over four minutes later. Lee found Bulluck for a 99-yard touchdown pass, extending the advantage to 14-0 with 2:50 remaining in the opening quarter.
The explosive connection gave Tennessee State early momentum and showcased the potential of its passing attack.
UT Martin responded in the second quarter when Tate Surber scored on an eight-yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7.
Lee and Bulluck connected again with 10:19 remaining in the half, this time for a 20-yard touchdown that pushed Tennessee State’s lead to 21-7.
The Skyhawks continued to battle, with Chris Franklin scoring on an eight-yard run with 47 seconds remaining before halftime. The touchdown trimmed TSU’s advantage to 21-14 heading into the break.
Third-Quarter Turnover Changes Everything
After a competitive first half, the game turned in the third quarter.
UT Martin tied the contest at 21-21 with 4:35 remaining when Lee fumbled while attempting a run near the goal line. Farand Washington recovered the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown.
The defensive score erased Tennessee State’s lead and shifted the momentum to the Skyhawks.
UT Martin then took its first lead of the game with four seconds left in the third quarter. Makhia Sherrard broke free for a 34-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Skyhawks ahead 28-21.
The Tigers had entered the quarter with a seven-point advantage but found themselves trailing heading into the final period.
UT Martin Pulls Away in the Fourth
UT Martin extended its lead on the opening possession of the fourth quarter.
Franklin scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a four-yard run with 14:33 remaining, giving the Skyhawks a 35-21 advantage.
Tennessee State refused to go away quietly.
With 8:12 remaining, Lee connected with Bulluck for a 29-yard touchdown, completing their third scoring connection of the afternoon. The score brought TSU within 35-28 and gave the Tigers an opportunity to make another push.
However, Tennessee State’s comeback hopes ended with another costly mistake.
With 2:02 remaining, Lee threw an interception to UT Martin’s Joel Castleberry, who returned it 82 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six extended the Skyhawks’ lead to 42-28 and sealed the victory.
Tennessee State vs. UT Martin: Quarter-by-Quarter Score
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| UT Martin | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
| Tennessee State | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Complete Scoring Summary
| Quarter | Time | Team | Scoring play |
| 1st | 7:19 | TSU | Lee to Duncan II for 21-yard TD pass |
| 1st | 2:50 | TSU | Lee to Bulluck for 99-yard TD pass |
| 2nd | 14:07 | UTM | Surber 8-yard rushing TD |
| 2nd | 10:19 | TSU | Lee to Bulluck for 20-yard TD pass |
| 2nd | 0:47 | UTM | Franklin 8-yard rushing TD |
| 3rd | 4:35 | UTM | Washington fumble-recovery return TD |
| 3rd | 0:04 | UTM | Sherrard 34-yard rushing TD |
| 4th | 14:33 | UTM | Franklin 4-yard rushing TD |
| 4th | 8:12 | TSU | Lee to Bulluck for 29-yard TD pass |
| 4th | 2:02 | UTM | Castleberry 82-yard interception-return TD |
Team Statistics: Tennessee State vs. UT Martin
Tennessee State finished with more total yards and more passing production, but UT Martin controlled the ground game and protected the football more effectively.
| Statistic | UT Martin | Tennessee State |
| First downs | 19 | 18 |
| Total offensive yards | 307 | 391 |
| Rushing attempts | 45 | 21 |
| Rushing yards | 193 | 15 |
| Rushing average | 4.3 | 0.7 |
| Pass completions-attempts-interceptions | 15-21-0 | 20-39-3 |
| Passing yards | 114 | 376 |
| Receptions | 15 | 20 |
| Yards per play | 4.65 | 6.52 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 3 |
| Fumbles lost | 2 | 1 |
| Total turnovers | 2 | 4 |
| Third-down conversions | 3/14 | 4/11 |
| Fourth-down conversions | 3/4 | 0/3 |
| Penalties-yards | 10-105 | 8-53 |
| Time of possession | 34:22 | 25:38 |
Lee and Bulluck Deliver Explosive Passing Plays
Lee completed 20 of 39 passes for 376 yards, throwing three touchdown passes and three interceptions. His connection with Bulluck accounted for three scoring plays, including the 99-yard touchdown that energized Tennessee State’s first-quarter start.
Duncan II also contributed a touchdown reception, giving the Tigers four touchdown passes? No — three scoring connections came from Lee to Bulluck, with Duncan II adding the other, for four touchdown passes listed in the scoring summary.
Despite the passing production, Tennessee State’s offense was held to just 15 rushing yards on 21 attempts. That amounted to an average of 0.7 yards per carry, making it difficult for the Tigers to maintain balance offensively.
UT Martin took the opposite approach, leaning on its running game for 193 yards on 45 attempts. Franklin scored twice on the ground, while Surber and Sherrard each added a rushing touchdown.
Turnovers and Fourth-Down Struggles Prove Costly
Tennessee State’s four turnovers were central to the outcome.
The Tigers lost one fumble and threw three interceptions, while UT Martin committed two turnovers of its own. The Skyhawks’ defensive touchdowns — Washington’s fumble-recovery score and Castleberry’s interception return — turned Tennessee State mistakes directly into points.
The Tigers also went 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts, missing opportunities to extend drives. UT Martin converted three of four fourth-down attempts and held possession for 34:22, nearly nine minutes longer than Tennessee State.
Although TSU averaged more yards per play and outgained the Skyhawks by 84 yards, the turnovers and rushing disparity undermined that offensive advantage.
Where does Tennessee State go from here?
Tennessee State showed it can produce explosive plays through the air, but the Tigers will need to improve ball security and establish a more effective rushing attack to translate offensive yardage into wins.
The loss to UT Martin is a reminder that big passing numbers cannot always overcome turnovers, missed fourth-down opportunities and a defense facing repeated short fields.
Up next:
It’s homecoming at Tennessee State and they host the hottest team in HBCU football, the Bears of Morgan State University.
Final: UT Martin 42, Tennessee State 28
Fan question: Tennessee State had 391 yards of offense and a 14-0 lead. What needs to change first — ball security, the running game or fourth-down execution?
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