Tennessee State will look to put an end to its four-game losing streak Saturday when it visits Southeast Missouri for an Ohio Valley–Big South matchup at Houck Stadium. The trip marks TSU's first visit to Cape Girardeau since 2021.
Coming off a 31-7 loss at Eastern Illinois, head coach Reggie Barlow said his team remains committed to improvement despite recent setbacks.
"Obviously, last week for us didn't go the way we wanted it to," Barlow said. "But I'm proud of our guys — they fought hard and stayed in the fight against a really good team. We're experiencing growing pains, but we're getting there. Our guys are going to keep on working, and we'll have a chance to go out and compete this week against SEMO."
The Tigers showed flashes of progress against Eastern Illinois, particularly through the air. Quarterback Byron McNair completed 16 of 20 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown — his most efficient outing of the season. His connection with freshman receiver Snap Reed provided one of TSU's few bright spots, as Reed hauled in his first collegiate touchdown on a 28-yard strike in the fourth quarter.
"Snap is a hard worker — he wants the ball and he's a playmaker," Barlow said. "That was a really good throw by Byron and a good catch by Snap, keeping his feet inbounds. We're happy with where he is right now, and we'll continue to find more ways to get him the ball."
Barlow said McNair's continued development is one of the key storylines as TSU moves deeper into conference play.
"I thought Byron did some good things last week," Barlow said. "He got the ball to his receivers and showed his running ability, escaping the pocket and keeping plays alive. He's still growing — this is his first time playing Division I football and working with new coordinators — but he's getting better every week."
Defensively, TSU was anchored by James Stewart and Kaiki Baker, who combined for 13 tackles and multiple key stops in the loss at EIU. Stewart, who posted three tackles for loss and a pass breakup, continues to set the tone for the defensive front.
"James Stewart is the standard," Barlow said. "If we can get everyone to match his intensity and approach, we'll be in great shape. Kaiki Baker is a baller — he broke up a big pass in the end zone and came back after a tough hit. Those guys are tough, competitive, and great leaders for our team."
Saturday's matchup pits the Tigers against a SEMO team looking to climb back into the conference race after an up-and-down start to the season. The Redhawks enter the game at 1-4 but remain dangerous on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jax Leatherwood has thrown for 1,113 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his passes. Running backs Brandon Epton Jr. and Payton Brown provide balance in the ground game, combining for 371 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
SEMO's receiving corps is led by Cam Pedro, who has 25 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns, and Kalvin Gilbert, who averages nearly 19 yards per reception. On defense, linebacker Landon Sylvie has recorded 49 total tackles to lead the team, while Latrevion Thompson has 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The Redhawks also feature one of the league's most reliable kickers in Justin Keller, who has made six of eight field-goal attempts, including two from beyond 40 yards.
"They're coming off a bye week, so they've probably had a chance to get some guys healthy," Barlow said. "We know they'll be excited to host us, and we'll be ready to go out there and compete. They've got a solid football team."
The Tigers last faced SEMO in November 2024, earning a 28-21 win at Nissan Stadium to close the regular season and secure a share of the OVC crown. Both rosters look different this fall, and Barlow expects another hard-fought matchup.
"Last year's game was a battle, and they'll probably have a mindset of wanting to get one back," Barlow said. "But it's two new teams — both of us lost a lot of players. We're just focused on getting better each week and seeing how we stack up."
Saturday's trip also offers the Tigers a chance to regroup away from home and strengthen team chemistry.
"I love being on the road with our guys," Barlow said. "There's a sense of togetherness — you see them interacting, bonding, and handling themselves like professionals. I'm proud of how they carry themselves, and I'm looking forward to getting on the bus with them again this week."
