NASHVILLE — Tennessee State held Morgan State scoreless in the fourth quarter and secured a 25-16 victory Saturday night at Nissan Stadium.
The Tigers improved to 2-5, while the Bears fell to 5-2.
Daylin Lee completed 17 of 34 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also led Tennessee State on the ground with 63 yards on 14 carries.
Jaden Jones completed his only pass for a 50-yard touchdown to Cam Bulluck on Tennessee State's opening possession. The play helped the Tigers finish with 270 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Bulluck caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. Brock Montgomery added two receptions for 53 yards and a score, while Francisco Pratts III caught the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter.
Rymen Mosley intercepted two passes in the first quarter and returned them for 28 yards. The Tigers turned the first takeaway into a field goal and finished with a 2-0 advantage in turnovers.
Brendan Hale led Tennessee State with eight tackles. Epoki Fakaosi recorded five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Jaylon Price and Brandon Collins each registered a sack. Joshua Green and DeShawn Carter combined for Tennessee State's third sack.
The Tigers limited Morgan State to 301 total yards, 14 first downs and two conversions on 11 third-down attempts. Tennessee State finished with 360 yards and controlled the ball for 33:28.
How It Happened
Tennessee State scored on its opening possession when Jones connected with Bulluck for a 50-yard touchdown, completing a four-play, 81-yard drive.
Mosley intercepted Morgan State quarterback Cameron Edge on the Bears' ensuing possession. The Tigers followed with a 13-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard field goal by Preston Hurless, extending the lead to 9-0.
Mosley collected his second interception at the Tennessee State 6-yard line late in the first quarter, stopping another Morgan State scoring threat.
The Bears answered with 10 consecutive points in the second quarter, taking a 10-9 lead on a 28-yard touchdown run by Keith Jenkins Jr. and a 22-yard field goal by Gavin Fetty.
Tennessee State regained the lead before halftime. Lee directed a six-play, 84-yard drive and found Montgomery for a 19-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining, sending the Tigers into halftime with a 15-10 advantage.
Morgan State moved back in front, 16-15, on Edge's 30-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Towler with 11:18 remaining in the third quarter.
The Tigers responded with an 18-play, 65-yard drive that consumed 7:31. Hurless completed the possession with a 27-yard field goal to give Tennessee State an 18-16 lead.
Tennessee State added to its advantage on its next possession. After a Morgan State penalty extended the drive, Lee connected with Pratts for an 11-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2. Hurless added the extra point to make it 25-16 with 13 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Tennessee State defense protected the lead by forcing turnovers on downs on Morgan State's final two possessions. The Tigers held the Bears to 51 yards and no points in the fourth quarter.
The victory also marked the 100th regular-season win of Reggie Barlow's head coaching career. Barlow has earned 87 victories at the college level, including 49 at Alabama State, 34 at Virginia State and four at Tennessee State. He also recorded 13 regular-season victories during two seasons with the DC Defenders in the XFL and UFL.
Game Notes
» Tennessee State outgained Morgan State 360-301, including a 270-162 advantage through the air.
» The Tigers earned their first home victory of the season.
» Tennessee State won the turnover battle 2-0 after Mosley intercepted two passes in the first quarter.
» Lee completed 17 of 34 passes for 220 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
» Jones completed his only attempt for a 50-yard touchdown to Bulluck.
» Bulluck recorded six receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown.
» Tennessee State converted 7 of 17 third downs and both of its fourth-down attempts.
» The Tigers held Morgan State to 2 of 11 on third down and 1 of 3 on fourth down.
» Hale led Tennessee State with eight tackles.
» Tennessee State recorded three sacks, five tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries.
» Hurless made field goals from 25 and 27 yards.
» Tennessee State held a 33:28-26:32 advantage in time of possession.
» Edge completed 16 of 30 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Morgan State.
» Jenkins led the Bears with 113 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Up Next
Tennessee State will host Charleston Southern at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Nissan Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on 102.1 FM The Ville.
