NASHVILLE — With Jackson State out of the picture, the Southern Heritage Classic will continue, as the Tennessee State football team will take on fellow HBCU foe Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. This marks the 34^th Southern Heritage Classic event and TSU's 32^nd game in the classic after it was canceled in 2018 and 2021. UAPB is just the fifth team to ever compete in the event. TSU and UAPB both come into the game with a 0-1 record after taking on FBS opponents to open the season.
 
Tennessee State (0-1, 0-0) vs. Notre Dame (0-1, 0-0)
Date: Sat., September 9
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Venue: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (58,325)
 
TV: HBCUGO Sports
Charlie Neal (pxp)
Jon Kelley (analyst)
 
Radio: WNSR — 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), 107.9 FM (Smyrna)
Sirius XM: Ch. 318 / 971 (app)
Stream: TSU Tigers App, WNSR.com, Alexa (Play WNSR)
Greg Pogue (pxp)
Chris Sanders (analyst)
 
Social: @TSU_Tigers | @TSUTigersFB
Game Notes: TSU | UAPB
Game Day Information:  Watch | Live Stats
 
SERIES INFORMATION: This will be the fourth meeting between TSU and UAPB with TSU leading the series 2-1. The two HBCU programs first met in 2012 in Nashville with TSU winning 40-13, followed by a second straight Tiger win in 2016 (44-0). The two programs last met on September 21, 2019, with UAPB earning their first win of the series in a close 37-31 game.
 
NEW RIVALRY…. WE SHALL SEE: The Southern Heritage Classic was first played in 1990 to enhance the rivalry between TSU and JSU, two HBCU regional powers. There have been 31 games played all-time in the classic, with 29 between TSU and JSU. Tennessee State is 17-14 all-time in the Southern Heritage Classic. UPAB will be just the fifth team to compete in the SHC after JSU could not appear in 1991, 1993, and now being out of the picture for at least the next two years. TSU took on Mississippi Valley State in 1991, and Grambling State in 1993, both of which resulted in losses. TSU won the first matchup vs. JSU in 1990 23-14. JSU won last year's meeting 16-3.

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN: TSU Football can be heard on WNSR's flagship network, 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), 107.9 FM (Smyrna), and WNSR.com. Globally, the broadcast can be heard on Sirius XM. Additionally, WNSR will offer in-depth pregame and postgame analysis, exclusive interviews with coaches and players, and behind-the-scenes content to engage fans on a deeper level. "The Voice of the Tigers" Greg Pogue returns for his 12th season behind the mic and will be joined by former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chris Sanders. Nashville broadcasting legend Albert Dawson will fill-in for Sanders. The action can also be heard on the TSU Tigers app.
 
TSU BY THE NUMBERS
 
6: The number of current TSU players that played in the 2019 TSU vs. UAPB matchup. Dayron Johnson, Kenyon Garlington, Fondren Hollis III, Josh Green, and Cameron Stewart all saw playing time for the Tigers. Monroe Beard III was a freshman for UAPB at the time and recorded two tackles and a sack against TSU. Hollis III recorded his first career stop, while Josh Green had one tackle. Johnson returned two kickoffs for 37 yards.
 
23: The number of players that made their TSU debut against Notre Dame this past Saturday. The breakdown includes four true freshmen, three redshirt freshmen, and 16 transfer players.    
 
8: The number of kickoff return yards TSU allowed against ND, which currently leads the Big South-OVC. James Lowery had two attempts, with the first being a 65-yard touchback to start the game. Lowery's second attempt was fielded at the four-yard line, but not before ND's Devyn Ford was leveled by Zachery Drake who forced a fumble which was recovered by freshman Sammy Taylor at the 12-yard line.  
 
5: The number of receivers that caught a pass against ND. Eight total players showcased their hands as three running backs also hauled in a pass. The Tigers were able to show off their deep WR room as Da'Shon Davis, Chayil Garnett, Delanie Majors, Karate Brenson, and Dayron Johnson all had receptions.
 
271: The number of passing yards Draylen Ellis needs to hit 6,000 in his career. Ellis is currently 9^th in FCS active passing leaders with 5,729 passing yards. The Mississippi native tallied 1,811 yards through the air in his first season as a Tiger, and 3,894 in two seasons at Austin Peay.
 
FIVE IS ALIVE: Dayron Johnson made the most of his return to the field after missing the 2022 season with a leg injury. The electric return man showcased his skills to the nation as he logged a 58-yard kick return in the second quarter to set the Tigers up in great field position. The Springfield native tallied 76 yards on two returns for an average of 38 yards. The 76 yards now give Johnson 1,207 kick return yards. His average of 23.21 yards ranks fourth in school history.
 
INSTANT START: Tennessee State had six transfers that earned starts in their first game against Notre Dame. Jeremiah Josephs, Jalen Bell, and Monroe Beard III all started on the defensive side of the ball, while Aarion Harvey, Nicholas Green, and Trenton Gillison all got the starting nod on offense. Josephs, Beard, and Bell combined for 18 tackles, with Josephs leading the team with nine, followed by Beard with seven. Both of Bell's tackles were for loss.
 
BEHIND THE LINE: In a game that did not showcase much offensively for the Tigers, there was one defensive statistic that stood for TSU against ND, as the Tigers finished with six tackles for loss to the Fighting Irish's five. Jalen Bell finished with two TFLs in his Tiger debut, while Josh Green, Ahmad Nelson, Bryce Phillips, and Terrell Allen all tallied one TFL.
 
LOCAL FRESHMAN IMPACT: On the first play of his collegiate career, Eriq George, an MBA product took down Sam Hartman for no gain as the QB scrambled up in the pocket. He was met by the freshman DE who was coming off the right side from a two-point stance. George would go on to finish with four solo tackles, as he was one of four true freshmen to see playing time, all of which are from the Nashville area. Ensworth product Sammy Taylor recovered a fumble at the 12-yard line for TSU, while Overton product Delanie Majors hauled in his first reception. Jason Hoath Jr., who played at both Columbia and Page also made his debut, seeing a significant number of snaps on special teams.
 
1K WATCH: Junior running back Jalen Rouse is on pace to hit 1,000 yards rushing this season as he enters his second year as the full-time starter. Rouse crossed the 800-yard mark threshold against ND as he tacked on 28 yards to give him 808 for his career. The Georgia native logged just 167 yards in his first two seasons, before rushing for a career-high and team-leading 613 yards in 2022.