NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State football team will conclude its home portion of the schedule on Saturday afternoon with its final meeting with departing OVC member Austin Peay at Nissan Stadium with kickoff set for 2 p.m.
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
Stadium: Nissan Stadium (69,143)
Surface: Tifsport Bermuda Sod (Natural Grass)
Forecast: 55, Sunny Skies
TV: ESPN+ — Big Blue Sports Network will carry the game live with Alex Gould (play-by-play), Derek Fleming (analyst) and Sami Kinkaid (sideline). Pregame will begin at 2:00 p.m. Central Time
Radio: 102.1 FM The Ville, Sirius XM 991 (app) — Big Blue Sports Network will carry the game live with Greg Pogue (play-by-play) and Will Brown (analyst). Pregame show starts at 1:30 p.m. Central Time
SERIES INFORMATION — This is the 25th all-time meeting and the final OVC encounter for the Volunteer state foes. These two teams met earlier this year, in a non-conference meeting on October 2 in Clarksville. The outcome was a Tigers victory and Mother Nature can take 90% of the credit as rain fell at just the right time. With TSU leading 24-16, the Govs scored but failed on what would have been a game-tying two-point conversion. Austin Peay has won three of the last five games against TSU but the Tigers have won 9 of the 11 home games vs. the Govs.
STARLING'S SKILL BOOST — Devon Starling used all skill sets last Saturday when he rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries and was TSU's top receiver with 117 yards on 12 receptions.
HEAD OF THE TABLE STRIKES — Cory Rahman led the Tigers with 11 tackles (six solo and five assists) and had a Roman Reigns-like "spear" tackle off a punt return. Jahsun Bryant forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one to put the Tigers in striking position.
#3 IS TOP 3 — Devon Starling is third in the OVC in yards per game (84.6). The local Antioch product is also third in total yards rushed with 761.
BATTLE OF THE TOP QB'S — TSU's Geremy Hickbottom ranks as one of the top OVC QB's in passing efficiency (135.9) and is second in passing yards (201.7). Austin Peay's Draylen Ellis is the top OVC QB in passing yards with 248.4 per contest with 13 TDs. Sheldon Layman is second in passing efficiency but has only made 54 passing attempts. Ellis is fourth in this category (120.1).
THE SUN SETS FOR VISITORS EARLY — Jahsun Bryant is tied for second in the OVC with 7.9 tackles per contest. He has 71 total tackles in nine games with 40 solo put downs. Bryant is also second in forced fumbles (2) and fumbles recovered (2). Tadarius Patterson is third in the OVC with 3 sacks.
