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Tennessee State University

Connor Ruth TD catch vs WIU
17
Winner Western Ill. WIU 2-7 , 1-4
16
Tennessee St. TSU 2-6 , 0-4
Winner
Western Ill. WIU
2-7 , 1-4
17
Final
16
Tennessee St. TSU
2-6 , 0-4
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIU Western Ill. 7 7 3 0 17
TSU Tennessee St. 3 10 3 0 16

Game Recap: FOOTBALL |

Football Edged Out 17–16 by Western Illinois in Close Contest

NASHVILLE — Tennessee State was edged by a point in a 17-16 loss to Western Illinois at Nissan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers fell to 2-6 overall and 0-4 in conference matchups.

Zack Simmons-Brown led the Tigers' rushing attack with 98 yards on 5.4 yards per carry. Taveon Porter added 46 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry.

Byron McNair's top target was Tyson Edwards, who caught three passes for 72 yards.

Defensively, Sammy Taylor paced the Tigers with five tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack. Brock Montgomery and Jayden Cook each contributed, with Cook totaling three tackles. Tennessee State did an impressive job limiting the Western Illinois offense to just 196 total yards, holding the Leathernecks under 150 yards both rushing (63) and passing (133).

How It Happened

Tennessee State struck first, taking a 3-0 lead on the game's opening drive. Western Illinois responded with a touchdown to go ahead 7-3 before the Tigers answered with an eight-yard touchdown reception to reclaim a 10-7 lead.

Western Illinois retook the lead at 14-10, but Tennessee State narrowed the gap with a field goal, making it 14-13 with 3:59 left in the second quarter. The Tigers then added a 41-yard field goal to take a 16-14 lead, but they did not score again. Western Illinois added three points late to secure the 17-16 victory.

Game Notes

- Tennessee State outgained Western Illinois 351-196, including a 164-63 advantage on the ground.
- The Tigers scored 10 points in the second quarter, accounting for 62.5% of their total points.
- Tennessee State converted 5 of 17 third downs; Western Illinois was 2 of 12.
- Freddy Perez connected on three field goals, with a long of 48 yards.
- The Tigers went 3-for-3 on fourth down attempts.
- Tennessee State controlled the clock, winning time of possession 39:13 to 20:47.
- Byron McNair completed 18 of 27 passes (66.7%) for 6.9 yards per attempt.
- Cason Carswell led the Leathernecks passing attack, going 14-for-31 for 133 yards and one touchdown.
- Markell Holman paced Western Illinois on the ground with 50 yards.

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