NASHVILLE — Tennessee State returns to Nissan Stadium on Saturday to face undefeated #11 Tennessee Tech in an Ohio Valley-Big South opener. The Tigers look to bounce back after a narrow 23-21 loss to Alabama A&M, while the Golden Eagles ride into Nashville with one of the most productive offenses in the conference.
Tennessee State (1-2) vs. #11 Tennessee Tech (3-0)
Date: Sat., September 27, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM CT
Location: NASHVILLE
Venue: Nissan Stadium (69,143)
TV: ESPN+
Dan Laing (pxp)
Dean Cokinos (analyst)
Radio: WNSR — 560 AM, 95.9 FM (Nashville), 107.9 FM (Smyrna)
Sirius XM: Ch. 384 | 974 (app)
Stream: TSU Tigers App, WNSR.com, Alexa (Play WNSR)
Greg Pogue (pxp)
Bubba Miller (analyst)
Social: @TSU_Tigers | @TSUTigersFB
Game Notes: TSU | TTU
Game Day Information: Watch | Live Stats
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 provides comprehensive pregame and postgame analysis, exclusive interviews with coaches and players, and behind-the-scenes content to enhance fan engagement. "The Voice of the Tigers," Greg Pogue, returns for his 14th season behind the mic and will be joined by veteran Arena Football League head coach and former Titans scout Dean Cokinos for home games, and TSU Assistant Athletic Director Nick Guerriero for road games. All TSU home games will be streamed live on ESPN+, and the action can also be accessed through the TSU Tigers app. Dan Laing returns for his third season as play-by-play announcer, joined in the booth by Arena Football Hall of Famer and Nashville Kats head coach Darren Arbet. Dean Cokinos will also serve as an analyst throughout the season.
SERGEANT YORK TROPHY: Tennessee State is looking to reclaim the Sgt. York Trophy, awarded each year to the team with the best head-to-head record among the three Ohio Valley Conference programs from Tennessee: TSU, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin. Named for World War I hero Alvin C. York and first presented in 2007, the trophy has become a symbol of in-state pride and rivalry. The Tigers own five titles, including back-to-back championships in the trophy's first two years (2007 and 2008) and a three-year run from 2011 through 2013. Now more than a decade removed from their last Sgt. York Trophy, TSU aims to add another chapter to its history of success in the series.
TSU AGAINST TENNESSEE TECH: Tennessee State has faced Tennessee Tech 38 times since 1984, with the Tigers trailing 22-16 in the all-time series. The matchup has featured tight contests, with 13 games decided by one possession or less. TSU's biggest statement wins came in the early 2000s, when the Tigers rolled to back-to-back road victories — a 56-23 win in 2000 and a 63-13 rout in 2001. More recently, Tennessee State posted a 44-16 victory at Nissan Stadium in 2016, followed by a 24-10 road win in the spring 2021 season. The rivalry has tilted in Tech's favor in the most recent meetings, beginning with a 35-0 win by the Golden Eagles, their largest margin of victory in the series. Last season, Tech defeated TSU 24-14 in Cookeville.
WEEK 3 BY THE NUMBERS:
7: TSU converted 7 of 15 third downs, extending drives and helping the Tigers finish with 21 first downs.
21: TSU picked up 21 first downs, edging Alabama A&M's total of 19.
41: The Tigers logged 41 rushing attempts, reinforcing their ground-game emphasis.
76: Zack Simmons-Brown totaled 76 rushing yards, highlighted by a 27-yard touchdown run.
111: Kendric Rhymes rushed for 111 net yards on 24 carries, adding 22 receiving yards and a touchdown grab.
157: QB Byron McNair threw for 157 yards on 17-of-27 passing with a touchdown and an interception.
179: The Tigers totaled 179 net rushing yards, showing a balanced and physical ground attack.
