NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee State freshman running back Brenton Paul has earned two Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) weekly honors following his standout performance in the Tigers’ thrilling 29-26 victory over Florida A&M.
Paul was named OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week and OVC Rookie of the Week after accounting for 128 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, including a 20-yard touchdown reception with 51 seconds remaining.
The freshman from Denham Springs, Louisiana, carried the ball 26 times for 92 yards and caught four passes for 36 yards.
Paul scored his first touchdown on a 4-yard reception late in the first quarter, then added a 1-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter.
His third score came in the final minute, when he hauled in a 20-yard pass from Daylin Lee to put Tennessee State ahead and help secure its first win of the 2026 season.
WHAT WE KNOW
- 🏆 OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
- 🏆 OVC Rookie of the Week
- 128 all-purpose yards
- 92 rushing yards
- 26 carries
- 36 receiving yards
- 4 receptions
- 3 touchdowns vs. Florida A&M
- 20-yard TD reception with 51 seconds remaining
- Tennessee State’s first win of 2026
- True freshman
Paul’s three-touchdown performance against Florida A&M pushed his 2026 season total to four touchdowns. That total ranks third among freshmen nationally and first among true freshmen, according to the OVC release.
The two weekly honors add another accomplishment to what has quickly become a breakout start for the Tennessee State freshman.
Three touchdowns. 128 all-purpose yards. Two OVC honors.
Brenton Paul delivered a statement performance in Tallahassee.
