NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State University football team returns to Nissan Stadium on Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) for an Ohio Valley Conference battle with Tennessee Tech.
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
Stadium: Nissan Stadium (69,143)
Surface: Tifsport Bermuda Sod (Natural Grass)
Forecast: 65, Sunny Skies
TELEVISION: ESPN+ — Former TSU Director of Athletics Howard Gentry returns to the booth as play-by-play announcer with former TSU football player Derek Fleming and reporter Sami Kinkaid providing analysis to round out the three-person booth.
RADIO: 102.1 FM The Ville, Sirius XM 386 (car), 976 (app) — Big Blue Sports Network will carry the game live with Greg Pogue (play-by-play) and Will Brown (analyst). Pregame will begin at 1:30 p.m. Central Time
SERIES INFORMATION: This is the 35th all-time meeting between with the Tigers and Golden Eagles. TSU leads the season series 20-14 and have won two of the last three meeting. Saturday's contest will be just the seventh time these two teams will play at Nissan Stadium with the Tigers holding a 4-2 edge at the Home of the Titans. The first meeting took place on October 13, 1984, a 33-3 victory by the Tigers. TSU started the series with a six-game winnings streak over the Golden Eagles before Tennessee Tech rattled off the next five wins. In the last 10 meetings, TSU is 6-4 over its I-40 foe.
MR. 1,000 — In the win at Austin Peay, Devon Starling eclipsed 1,000 career rushing yards. The reigning OVC Co-Freshman of the Year is off to a races this season with 419 yards on the ground, an average of 83.80 per game. The sophomore has broken the 100-yard mark twice this season, both in games won by the Tigers. Starling rushed for 142 yards in the win over Kentucky State and then added 120 in the win at Austin Peay.
ARMED AND READY TO GO — Quarterback Geremy Hickbottom has been the shining light for the Tigers in his first season as TSU's starting gunslinger. The Mobile, Alabama, product has thrown a touchdown pass in all but one contest this season with two multi-touchdown performances (both wins). Hickbottom not only can find receivers, but can also plow through the line. Against Austin Peay, Hickbottom rushed for 66 yards, including a 48-yard dash to the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season. In his career, which includes two seasons at Grambling, Hickbottom has amassed 5,149 passing yards and 1,309 rushing yards. From the air, Hickbottom has found 36 receivers for touchdowns and on his own, he's rushed for 17 touchdowns.
RODELL or ODELL — Tight end Rodell Rahmaan has been a highlight reel for the Tigers this season with his acrobatic catches and determination to find the end zone. The Bowling Green transfer has five touchdowns this season with 13 receptions for 303 yards, an average of 23.31 per catch. A fantasy points machine, Rahmaan averaged 75.75 yards per contest with his longest reception a 63 yard touchdown.
THE LAW OFFICES OF BRYANT, GREEN, RAHMAN AND GREEN — Linebackers Jahsun Bryant and James Green and safeties Cory Rahman and Josh Green have combined for 117 of TSU's 365 tackles. Bryant and Green are tied for the team lead with 32 tackles each. Rahman has a team-high 21 solo tackles from the secondary with James Green topping the assisted tackles with 19.
R2 IN PS4 AND RT IN XBOX ONE — Dayron "Fat Cat" Johnson found a boost in his run against Southern Missouri with a 90 kick return for touchdown. The sophomore from Springfield, Tennessee has run for a combined 413 yards in punt returns and kickoffs.
SCORING STREAK — Tennessee State has scored in 82 consecutive games dating back to the end of the 2013 season.
