OPENING DRIVE: Tennessee State will look to rebound from a 26-24 loss to Jackson State when it travels to Athens to face No. 3 Georgia on Saturday. The Tigers took a 24-23 lead with 8:48 remaining in the fourth quarter before Jackson State kicked the go-ahead field goal with 2:31 left. Georgia will open its 2026 season after claiming the SEC Championship last season and a loss in the Sugar Bowl.

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+
SEC Network+ / ESPN+ Broadcasters: Clay Matvick, play-by-play; Rocky Boiman, analyst; Laura Stickles, Sidelines
Radio: 102.1 FM The Ville
Online Audio: 1021TheVille.com and SiriusXM
TSU Radio Broadcasters: Greg Pogue, play-by-play; Nick Guerriero, analyst

SERIES INFORMATION: This is the first-ever meeting between TSU and Georgia. 

TSU AGAINST THE SEC: Tennessee State is 0-4 all-time against Southeastern Conference opponents, with three games against Vanderbilt and one against Mississippi State. The Tigers fell to Vanderbilt 35-17 in 2016, 31-27 in 2018 and 38-9 in 2026. TSU's lone meeting with Mississippi State resulted in a 55-10 loss in 2021. The four-point setback at Vanderbilt in 2018 remains the Tigers' closest game against an SEC opponent. TSU is also scheduled to play Tennessee in Knoxville on Sept. 4, 2027.

BARLOW'S BULLDOG CONNECTIONS: Tennessee State coach Reggie Barlow shared NFL rosters with five former Georgia players during his professional career. He played with tight end Troy Sadowski on the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998 and defensive tackle Emarlos Leroy in 1999 and 2000. Barlow was also on the Oakland Raiders' 2001 roster with offensive tackle Matt Stinchcomb, although Barlow spent the season on injured reserve. He later played with defensive backs Jermaine Phillips and Tim Wansley on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 and 2003.

PAUL EARNS OVC ROOKIE HONOR: Freshman running back Brenton Paul was named the OVC Rookie of the Week after producing 55 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in his collegiate debut against Jackson State. The Denham Springs, Louisiana, native led TSU's running backs with 38 yards and a touchdown on nine carries while catching two passes for 17 yards. Paul contributed to each of the Tigers' three touchdown drives, including a nine-yard scoring run that completed a 13-play, 75-yard possession. He later accounted for 22 yards during TSU's go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown drive.

32,467: The John A. Merritt Classic against Jackson State drew 32,467 fans to FirstBank Stadium, ranking fourth among Tennessee State's five most highly attended games since 2022. The group consists of one true road game, two Southern Heritage Classics in Memphis and two home games in Nashville—one at Nissan Stadium and one at FirstBank Stadium. The five crowds were 77,622 at Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2023; 51,351 against Jackson State in Memphis on Sept. 10, 2022; 32,518 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Memphis on Sept. 9, 2023; 32,467 against Jackson State at FirstBank Stadium on Aug. 29, 2026; and 22,231 against Bethune-Cookman at Nissan Stadium on Oct. 8, 2022.

DECADE-BEST HOME CROWD: Tennessee State's game against Jackson State in the John A. Merritt Classic drew 32,467 fans to FirstBank Stadium, marking TSU's largest home crowd in the past 10 years. The Tigers' five most-attended home games during that span are Jackson State in 2026 (32,467), Bethune-Cookman in 2022 (22,231), Austin Peay in 2017 (21,127), Tennessee Tech in 2018 (17,283) and Austin Peay in 2019 (16,389). Four of the five were Homecoming games.

WEEK 0 BY THE NUMBERS VS JACKSON STATE

1.5: Brandon Collins recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and three total tackles. He combined with Jaylon Price for Tennessee State's lone sack of the game.

10: Brendan Hale led all players with 10 tackles against Jackson State. Hale finished with four solo stops and six assisted tackles.

14: Francisco Pratts III capped a 14-play, 75-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown reception that gave Tennessee State a 24-23 lead with 8:48 remaining. Both of his receptions came on third down.

45: Preston Hurless converted a 45-yard field goal and all three extra-point attempts against Jackson State, finishing the game a perfect 4-for-4 on kicks.

55: Daion Gaston accumulated 55 return yards against Jackson State. He totaled 39 yards on three kickoff returns and added a 16-yard punt return.

55: Brenton Paul produced 55 yards from scrimmage against Jackson State. The freshman rushed nine times for 38 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 17 yards.

148: Jayden Guy led Tennessee State with nine receptions for 148 yards. His performance included 52 yards after the catch and a 45-yard reception that helped set up a touchdown.

305: Daylin Lee accounted for 305 yards of total offense and two touchdowns against Jackson State. Lee completed 23-of-41 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown without an interception while rushing for 40 yards and another score.