Tennessee State football has reached a turning point. After opening the season with four straight home games — capped by a 35-8 loss to Tennessee Tech last weekend — the Tigers are preparing for something new: their first road trip of the year. For head coach Reggie Barlow, it's more than a change of venue. It's a chance for his young team to regroup, build cohesion, and chase its first Ohio Valley Conference win of 2025.
The Tigers (2-2, 0-1 OVC) struggled to find rhythm against Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles struck early with a 71-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage and dominated on the ground, piling up nearly 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Tech's defense stiffened in the second half, holding TSU to two field goals and a late safety.
Barlow said the loss was disappointing but highlighted positives. "We knew Tennessee Tech was a tough outfit. Sometimes on defense, if you're not in your gap, that can turn into a big play, and that's what happened there. But our guys stayed in the fight. We forced some field goals, even had two misses, and that's something to build from."
Despite the score, TSU controlled the ball for more than 33 minutes and ran 72 plays compared to Tennessee Tech's 55. The defense forced three punts and recorded three sacks. On offense, running back Kendric Rhymes led the Tigers with 31 rushing yards and added 53 receiving yards for 84 all-purpose yards. Quarterback Byron McNair went 8-of-14 for 114 yards, while Jonathan Palmer finished 13-of-25 for 127 yards, showing flashes of the depth Barlow is developing under center.
The quarterback rotation remains a work in progress. "All three of those guys bring something different," Barlow said. "McCreary, he's smaller but has a good arm and can make plays in the quarterback run game. Byron gives you a little of both. They're all young, just now getting their college experience. We've got to keep developing them and put them in the right situations."
Tennessee State will face another tough test in Eastern Illinois, which opened OVC play with a 31-23 win at Western Illinois. The Panthers (2-2, 1-0 OVC) rolled up 329 yards of offense, fueled by a balanced rushing attack. Jacaree Fleming ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while Charles Kellom added 75 yards and a score. Through four games, EIU has averaged more than 24 points per game, topping 30 points twice, demonstrating the effectiveness of its steady ground game and strong offensive line.
Defensively, the Panthers have leaned on a formidable front seven, recording six sacks and 29 tackles for loss through four games. Tylan Foster, Ja'Wuan Nickson, and Saipeti Maiava Jr. have combined for 93 tackles, while Drake Van Hyfte and Samuel Robles each have two sacks. For TSU, finishing drives efficiently against this defense will be critical.
Barlow said film study showed just how complete the Panthers are. "Eastern is a solid team. They've got a massive offensive line, athletic running backs — number 22 [Kellom] and number 28 [Fleming] are really good. Their quarterback [Connor Wolf] is solid, and they've already put up a lot of points. It's going to be another tough OVC test."
The challenge for Tennessee State goes beyond X's and O's. After four weeks at Nissan Stadium, the Tigers will board buses to Charleston, Illinois, for Saturday's matchup at O'Brien Field. Barlow, who coached in the XFL and UFL where travel was constant, sees the road trip as an opportunity to build team unity. "It's about team camaraderie, being able to travel together. Some of my best memories as a coach are getting on the bus with a group of guys you believe in and trust. You get to have meals together, meet together, stay in a hotel. That builds connection. I'm excited to take that trip with these guys."
The Tigers have shown flashes of what they can be — a strong rushing attack led by Rhymes, a defense that thrives on third down, and special teams anchored by kicker Freddy Perez, who has connected on four field goals this season. But finishing drives remains a challenge. "We've got to finish drives with touchdowns instead of field goals," Barlow said. "We've got to keep building on the positives. Our guys are tough and resilient, and they're going to keep fighting."
Kickoff is set for Saturday afternoon at O'Brien Field. For Tennessee State, the game is more than a contest on the scoreboard. It's a chance to prove that this young team can rise under pressure, grow together on the road, and begin carving out an identity in the OVC. As Barlow puts it, "This trip isn't just about a win — it's about seeing what kind of team we are when we face adversity together."
