Tennessee State Tigers Football: A Look at the Schedule and Program

The Tennessee State Tigers football team represents Tennessee State University in NCAA Division I FCS football. As a member of the OVC-Big South Football Association, the team navigates a challenging schedule each season. This article delves into various aspects of the program, including a look at a past schedule, coaching staff, and other relevant information.

2025 Season Overview

In 2025, the Tennessee State Tigers were led by first-year head coach Reggie Barlow. The Big South-OVC Conference released its preseason poll on July 16, 2025, setting the stage for the season's expectations.

Preseason Poll and Expectations

The Big South-OVC Football Association's preseason poll provides a glimpse into the anticipated performance of teams within the conference. While the specific ranking of Tennessee State in the 2025 poll isn't mentioned, the poll itself serves as a benchmark for the team and its competitors.

Game Schedule and Results

Reviewing a past schedule provides valuable insights into the team's performance and the challenges they faced. Let's examine the 2025 season:

August

vs. North Carolina A&T (8/30): The Tigers started the season with a 24-21 win. Key players in this game included J. Palmer with 123 passing yards, K. Rhymes with 174 rushing yards, and D. Slaughter with 102 receiving yards.

September

vs. North Dakota State (9/6): A tough loss with a score of 59-3. J. Palmer passed for 38 yards, K. Rhymes rushed for 43 yards, and T. Edwards caught for 16 yards.
vs. Alabama A&M (9/13): Another loss, 23-21. B. McNair passed for 157 yards, K. Rhymes rushed for 111 yards, and K. Rhymes caught for 64 yards.
vs. Tennessee Tech (9/27): A significant loss with a score of 35-8. J. Palmer passed for 127 yards, K. Rhymes rushed for 31 yards, and S. McNair caught for 20 yards.

October

vs. Howard (10/18): A win with a score of 24-7. B. McNair passed for 174 yards, B. McNair rushed for 47 yards, and K. Rhymes caught for 46 yards. Notably, Anthony Reagan Jr. scored a HOW touchdown at 7:01.
vs. Western Illinois (10/25): A narrow loss, 17-16. B. McNair passed for 187 yards, Z. Simmons-Brown rushed for 98 yards, and T. Edwards caught for 72 yards.

November

vs. Lindenwood (11/1): A loss with a score of 35-13. B. McNair passed for 132 yards, Z. Simmons-Brown rushed for 53 yards, and D. Palmer caught for 89 yards.
vs. Gardner-Webb (11/15): A loss with a score of 30-14. B. McNair passed for 171 yards, Z. Simmons-Brown rushed for 33 yards, and S. McNair caught for 155 yards.

Season Record

The 2025 Tennessee State Tigers concluded the season with an overall record of 2-10, placing them 9th in the BSOVC.

Read also: Your Guide to ETSU Academics

Coaching Staff

The coaching staff plays a crucial role in the development and performance of the team.

Reggie Barlow: Head Coach
Gregg Williams: Defensive Coordinator
Cedric Thornton: Defensive Staff

Key Players

Identifying key players provides insight into the team's strengths and areas for improvement. Based on the game statistics:

J. Palmer and B. McNair: Quarterbacks
K. Rhymes and Z. Simmons-Brown: Running Backs
D. Slaughter, T. Edwards, D. Palmer, and S. McNair: Wide Receivers

Transfers

Transfers play an increasingly significant role in college football. Examining transfer activity can highlight areas where the team is looking to strengthen its roster.

FCS-to-FCS Transfers
FBS-to-FCS Transfers
FCS-to-FBS Transfers

February Signing Period

The February signing period is a critical time for recruiting new talent. The Tennessee State football program added six players during the February signing period.

Read also: Remembrance and Progress

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