Tennessee State hits the road for the first time this season on Saturday, visiting Eastern Illinois in an Ohio Valley-Big South Alliance clash at O'Brien Field. The Tigers (2-2, 0-1 OVC) look to rebound after last week's 35-8 loss to Tennessee Tech, while the Panthers (2-2, 1-0 OVC) return home riding momentum from a 31-23 win at Western Illinois.

Tennessee State (1-3) at Eastern Illinois (2-1)
Date: Sat., October 4, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM CT
Location: Charleston, Ill.
Venue: O'Brien Stadium (10,000)
 
TV: ESPN+ 
Mike Bradd (pxp)
Dave Kidwell (analyst)
Kaylee Unruh (Sideline)

Radio: WNSR — 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), 107.9 FM (Smyrna)
Sirius XM: Ch. 995 (app)
Stream: TSU Tigers App, WNSR.com, Alexa (Play WNSR)
Greg Pogue (pxp)
Nick Guerriero (analyst)
 
Social: @TSU_Tigers | @TSUTigersFB
Game Notes: TSU | EIU
Game Day Information:  Watch | Live Stats

TSU AGAINST EASTERN ILLINOIS: Tennessee State and Eastern Illinois will meet for the 29th time when the Tigers travel to O'Brien Field. EIU leads the all-time series 16-12, but the Tigers have turned momentum in their favor by winning four of the last five matchups since the spring 2021 season. TSU's recent success includes a 41-17 victory in Nashville in 2024 and back-to-back home wins in 2022 and spring 2021. The Tigers also shut out the Panthers, 28-0, in their most recent trip to Charleston in 2021 and claimed a dramatic 41-40 road win in 2018. The rivalry has produced no shortage of close finishes. Four of the last ten meetings have been decided by three points or fewer, including an overtime contest in 2015 and a double-overtime battle in 2017. Prior to TSU's recent surge, Eastern Illinois had controlled the series, winning eight of ten games from 2010 through 2019.

WEEK 5 BY THE NUMBERS:

1.5: James Stewart recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, leading the pass rush.

7: Linebacker Dominique Dixon paced the defense with seven total tackles (four solo).

30: Kicker Freddy Perez connected on field goals from 30 and 23 yards, continuing his steady season.

45.8: Punter Mark Shenouda averaged 45.8 yards on four punts, including a 51-yarder and one inside the 20.

53: Running back Kendric Rhymes added versatility with 53 receiving yards on three catches, with a long of 23.

58: DeVaughn Slaughter hauled in four passes for 58 yards, including a 32-yard reception to move the chains.

65: Wideout Snap Reed led all TSU receivers with 65 yards on three catches, highlighted by a 29-yard grab.

114: Byron McNair added 114 yards through the air, giving TSU 241 combined passing yards on the day.

127: Quarterback Jonathan Palmer threw for 127 yards, including a 32-yard strike to DeVaughn Slaughter.