NASHVILLE — The final two regular season games pit the Tennessee State football team in a fight for their postseason lives. After a tone setting win at Western Illinois last weekend, the Tigers travel to Gardner-Webb on Saturday before a senior day finale against SEMO on Nov. 23.
Tennessee State (7-3) vs. Gardner-Webb (4-6)
Date: Sat., November 16, 2024
Time: 12:30 PM CT
Location: Boiling Springs, N.C.
Venue: Spangler Stadium (8,500)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: WNSR — 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), 107.9 FM (Smyrna)
Sirius XM: Ch. 968 (app)
Stream: TSU Tigers App, WNSR.com, Alexa (Play WNSR)
Greg Pogue (pxp)
Nick Guerriero (analyst)
Social: @TSU_Tigers | @TSUTigersFB
Game Notes: TSU | GWU
Game Day Information: Watch | Live Stats
SERIES INFORMATION: This is the second all-time meeting between Tennessee State and Gardner-Webb. Last season. James Lowery nailed a 50-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining to push the Tigers over the Bulldogs 27-25.
WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN: TSU Football can be heard on WNSR's flagship stations: 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), and 107.9 FM (Smyrna), and streamed online at WNSR.com. The broadcast is also available globally on Sirius XM. WNSR will provide comprehensive pregame and postgame analysis, exclusive interviews with coaches and players, and behind-the-scenes content for enhanced fan engagement. "The Voice of the Tigers," Greg Pogue, returns for his 13th season behind the mic and will be joined by veteran Arena Football League head coach & former Titans scout Dean Cokinos for home games and former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chris Sanders for road games. The action can also be streamed on the TSU Tigers app.
CAREER STATS BY THE NUMEBRS:
10 : Draylen Ellis has entered the top 10 in career passing yards at Tennessee State, now sitting at 10th all-time with 5,163 yards. His achievement places him among TSU's historic quarterbacks, marking a significant milestone in his career.
1. Michael German — 8,664
2. Joe Adams —8,653
3. Leon Murray — 7,207
4. James Wade— 6,613
5. Eldridge Dickey — 6,523
6. Kenneth Biggles — 5,993
7. Gilbert Renfroe — 5,556
8. Antonio Heffner — 5,393
9. Joe Gilliam, Jr. — 5,213
10. Draylen Ellis — 5,163
SEASONAL NUMBERS:
1: CJ Evans is tied for the national lead in kick return touchdowns with two on the season. Evans has scored twice on just 11 returns, sharing the top spot with players from Bethune-Cookman, Jackson State, Elon, and South Dakota. His explosive playmaking on special teams has been a key asset for the Tigers.
2: Boogie Trotter ranks second nationally in fumble recoveries with three on the season. Trotter shares this spot with players from Chattanooga, Howard, and Tarleton State, showcasing his ability to capitalize on defensive opportunities and contribute to TSU's success on that side of the ball.
2: TSU ranks second nationally in kick return average, recording 654 yards on 23 returns for an average of 28.43 yards per return. The Tigers have also scored two touchdowns on kick returns this season, placing them behind only South Dakota (37.29) in the FCS rankings.
7: TSU ranks seventh nationally in tackles for loss per game, averaging 7.4 TFLs. The Tigers have recorded 74 total tackles for loss this season, with 309 yards lost by opponents. TSU shares this rank with Rhode Island and is the only OVC team in the top seven, showcasing their defensive prowess.
WEEK 11 BY THE NUMBERS:
6: James Lowery was perfect on extra points, converting all six PAT attempts in TSU's win over Western Illinois. Lowery also shared kickoff duties with Shivan Abdullah, with each kicker delivering four kickoffs. Lowery averaged 59.3 yards per kickoff, while Abdullah posted a slightly higher average of 62.0 yards. Their combined efforts in the kicking game helped TSU maintain field position throughout the game.
68: Tevin Carter delivered a season-best performance against Western Illinois, rushing for 68 yards on 10 carries, including a season-long 39-yard run. Carter also scored twice on the ground, marking his first multi-touchdown game of the season and setting a new personal high for rushing yards. His contributions were a key component of the Tigers' offensive effort.
197: Tennessee State's receiving corps showcased impressive distribution in their latest game, with seven different players catching passes for a combined 197 yards and three touchdowns. Karate Brenson led with 67 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown, while Bryant Williams and Gerard Bullock also recorded touchdown receptions of 37 and 15 yards, respectively. CJ Evans, Roshawn Lacy, Jalen Rouse, and Jaden McGill contributed key catches, demonstrating the depth and versatility of TSU's pass-catching unit. Draylen Ellis went 12-for-19 with 197 yards, spreading the ball effectively to multiple targets.
209: Tennessee State's ground game dominated in the win over Western Illinois, with six different players combining for 209 rushing yards. Tevin Carter led the way, tallying 68 yards on 10 carries, including a 39-yard run and two touchdowns. Jaden McGill and CJ Evans contributed solid efforts, each rushing for over 40 yards, while Evans added a touchdown. Jordan Gant broke free for an 18-yard run, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
