Game Information
Tennessee State (0-1) at No. 3 Georgia (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
Time: 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Venue: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium
Series: First meeting
TV/Stream: SEC Network+/ESPN+
Radio: 102.1 FM The Ville
Online Audio: 1021TheVille.com and SiriusXM
TSU Radio Broadcasters: Greg Pogue, play-by-play; Nick Guerriero, analyst

NASHVILLE — Tennessee State stood seven yards from a different ending.

With just over a minute remaining against Jackson State, the Tigers had reached the 7-yard line with a chance to erase a two-point deficit in the John A. Merritt Classic. An incomplete pass, a delay-of-game penalty and a sack followed. On fourth down, a low snap disrupted TSU's field-goal operation.

Jackson State took over at its 29-yard line with 53 seconds remaining and secured a 26-24 victory at FirstBank Stadium.

"I think the snap was a little bit low," TSU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "And the holder had a little issue with trying to actually get it down."

Quarterback Daylin Lee did not place the loss on the final play.

"And that last play didn't cost us the game," Lee said.

The Tigers now have a short turnaround before facing a different challenge. Tennessee State will visit Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium on Saturday for the program's first meeting with No. 3 Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT, and the game will stream on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.

TSU controlled much of the first half against Jackson State. Brenton Paul scored on a 9-yard run, Lee added a 1-yard touchdown and Preston Hurless connected from 45 yards to send the Tigers into halftime with a 17-10 lead.

Jackson State scored 13 unanswered points in the third quarter, but Tennessee State responded.

Starting at its 25-yard line late in the third, TSU put together a 14-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 7:20 and extended into the fourth quarter. Lee finished the possession with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Francisco Pratts III, giving Tennessee State a 24-23 lead with 8:48 remaining.

Jackson State answered with a 15-play, 77-yard drive, taking the lead on Andrew Ivaniciuc's 21-yard field goal with 2:31 left.

"But all in all, we are proud of our team, the way they competed," Barlow said. "But we have it on tape now, we get a chance to go back and make the corrections offensively, defensively, and special teams."

Lee completed 23 of 41 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He also led the Tigers with 40 rushing yards and scored on the ground, accounting for 305 yards of total offense and two touchdowns in his TSU debut.

Jayden Guy led the receiving corps with nine catches for 148 yards. Cam Bulluck added seven receptions for 53 yards, while Paul finished with 55 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

Tennessee State totaled 354 yards, converted 12 of 19 third downs and controlled possession for 33:01. The Tigers recorded 22 first downs and did not commit a turnover.

"I think we drove the ball really well on that drive," Lee said of the final possession. "And then I thought we had a lot of explosive plays that showed how good of an offense we can be."

Defensively, Brendan Hale led all players with 10 tackles. Epoki Fakaosi added six stops, while Brandon Collins recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and shared TSU's lone sack with Jaylon Price.

Georgia will open its season ranked third in the Associated Press poll after finishing 12-2 in 2025. The Bulldogs won their second consecutive Southeastern Conference championship before falling 39-34 to Ole Miss in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl.

Georgia returns seven offensive starters, including quarterback Gunner Stockton and running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens. Eight defensive starters return, led by defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV.

The Bulldogs averaged 32.1 points and 402.4 yards per game last season. Georgia allowed 17.6 points and 81.5 rushing yards per game, finishing fourth nationally in rushing defense.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Monday he was impressed by TSU's performance against Jackson State.

"Tennessee State plays a really tight, exciting ball game," Smart said. "They had a tough loss on Saturday night, but played really well against Jackson State."

Smart described Lee as a smooth, efficient passer who played with confidence and was difficult to tackle. He also praised Tennessee State's defenders for their physical approach and ability to take on blocks.

Saturday will mark TSU's fifth game against an SEC opponent.

The Tigers are 0-4 in their previous matchups, including losses to Vanderbilt in 2006, 2016 and 2018 and Mississippi State in 2021. The four-point loss at Vanderbilt in 2018 remains TSU's closest result against an SEC opponent.

Tennessee State is also scheduled to play Tennessee at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 4, 2027.

Georgia will be a new opponent in a new venue, but Lee said TSU will keep the same offensive approach.

"We're not gonna change what we do," Lee said.