The 2025 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as a member of the OVC–Big South Football Association during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by first year head coach Reggie Barlow. The Tigers played their home games at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Offseason
Preseason poll
The Big South-OVC Conference released their preseason poll on July 16, 2025. The Tigers were picked to finish eight in the conference.[1]
Transfers
Outgoing
Incoming
[2][3][4][5]
Recruiting class
Coaching staff additions
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|
| August 30 | 3:30 p.m. | North Carolina A&T* | | ESPN+ | W 24–21 | 8,865 |
| September 6 | 1:30 p.m. | No. 1 North Dakota State* | - Nissan Stadium
- Nashville, TN
| ESPN+ | L 3–59 | 8,569 |
| September 13 | 3:30 p.m. | Alabama A&M* | - Nissan Stadium
- Nashville, TN
| ESPN+ | L 21–23 | 10,208 |
| September 27 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 13 Tennessee Tech | | ESPN+ | L 8–35 | 2,137 |
| October 4 | 2:00 p.m. | at Eastern Illinois | | ESPN+ | L 7–31 | 3,315 |
| October 11 | 3:00 p.m. | at Southeast Missouri State | | ESPN+ | L 12–28 | 2,653 |
| October 18 | 4:30 p.m. | Howard* | - Nissan Stadium
- Nashville, TN
| ESPN+ | W 24–7 | 14,056 |
| October 25 | 1:30 p.m. | Western Illinois | - Nissan Stadium
- Nashville, TN
| ESPN+ | L 16–17 | 1,129 |
| November 1 | 3:30 p.m. | Lindenwood | - Nissan Stadium
- Nashville, TN
| ESPN+ | L 13–35 | 1,006 |
| November 8 | 1:00 p.m. | at UT Martin | | ESPN+ | L 7–26 | 3,518 |
| November 15 | 1:30 p.m. | Gardner–Webb | - Nissan Stadium
- Nashville, TN
| ESPN+ | L 14–30 | 1,667 |
| November 22 | 1:00 p.m. | at Charleston Southern | | ESPN+ | L 6–7 | 3,678 |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Central time
|
[17]
Game summaries
vs. North Carolina A&T
Game One – North Carolina A&T Aggies (0–0) at Tennessee State Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday August 30, 2025
- Game time: 3:30 PM CDT
- Game weather: Weather: Sunny • Temp: 85 °F (29 °C)
- Game attendance: 8,865
- Referee: Brandon McCain
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Laing (play-by-play) and Darren Arbet (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (7:07) NCAT – Wesley Graves 40-yard rush (Andrew Brown kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 4:35; NCAT 7-0)
- (6:51) TNST – DeVaughn Slaughter 82-yard pass from Johathan Palmer (Freddy Perez kick) (Drive: 1 play, 82 yards, 0:11; Tied 7-7)
- Second quarter
- (4:08) TNST – Freddy Perez 41-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 1 yard, 3:10; TNST 10-7)
- (0:12) NCAT – Braxton Thomas 1-yard rush (Andrew Brown kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 1:08; NCAT 14-10)
- Third quarter
- (5:51) TNST – Kendric Rhymes 60-yard rush (Freddy Perez kick) (Drive: 1 play, 60 yards, 0:10; TNST 17-14)
- Fourth quarter
- (14:19) TNST – Kendric Rhymes 51-yard rush (Freddy Perez kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 0:50; TNST 24-14)
- (9:58) NCAT – Amonte Jones 66-yard pass from Braxton Thomas (Andrew Brown kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 4:17; TNST 24-21)
|
| Statistics |
NCAT |
TNST
|
| First downs |
15 |
11
|
| Total yards |
335 |
252
|
| Rushing yards |
125 |
129
|
| Passing yards |
210 |
123
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
16–22–0 |
11–21–1
|
| Time of possession |
32:55 |
27:05
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| North Carolina A&T |
Passing |
Braxton Thomas |
11/13, 169 yards, 1 TD
|
| Rushing |
Wesley Graves |
14 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
|
| Receiving |
Amonte Jones |
4 receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
Jonathan Palmer |
11/21, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
| Rushing |
Kendric Rhymes |
21 carries, 174 yards, 2 TD
|
| Receiving |
DeVaughn Slaughter |
4 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
|
vs. No. 1 North Dakota State
Game Two – No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (1–0) at Tennessee State Tigers (1–0) – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday September 6, 2025
- Game time: 1:30 PM CDT
- Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind: N 2 mph
- Game attendance: 8,569
- Referee: Chris Brison
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Laing (play-by-play) and Darren Arbet (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (9:31) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 10-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 5:24; North Dakota State 7–0)
- (7:08) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 4-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 4 plays, 20 yards, 1:55; North Dakota State 14–0)
- (1:21) NDSU – Eli Ozick 22-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 3:39; North Dakota State 21–0)
- Second quarter
- (13:08) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 6-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 2:04; North Dakota State 24–0)
- (10:04) NDSU – DJ Scott 5-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 2 plays, 46 yards, 0:50; North Dakota State 31–0)
- (9:03) NDSU – Donovan Woolen 34-yard interception, Eli Ozick kick (North Dakota State 38–0)
- (1:21) NDSU – RaJa Nelson 3-yard pass from Cole Payton, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 5:32; North Dakota State 45–0)
- Third quarter
- (7:11) NDSU – Mekhi Collins 68-yard pass from Nathan Hayes, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:56; North Dakota State 52–0)
- Fourth quarter
- (8:27) NDSU – Myles Mitchell 2-yard run, Drew Klein kick (Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:45; North Dakota State 59–0)
- (4:05) TNST – Freddy Perez 45-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 4:22; North Dakota State 59–3)
|
| Statistics |
NDSU |
TNST
|
| First downs |
24 |
4
|
| Total yards |
433 |
131
|
| Rushing yards |
191 |
70
|
| Passing yards |
242 |
61
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
16–23–1 |
8–18–1
|
| Time of possession |
33:37 |
26:23
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| North Dakota State |
Passing |
Cole Payton |
13/16, 166 yards, TD
|
| Rushing |
Barika Kpeenu |
10 carries, 57 yards, 3 TD
|
| Receiving |
Mekhi Collins |
1 reception, 68 yards, TD
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
Jonathan Palmer |
5/13, 38 yards
|
| Rushing |
Kendric Rhymes |
12 carries, 43 yards
|
| Receiving |
Tyson Edwards |
1 reception, 16 yards
|
vs. Alabama A&M
Game Three – Alabama A&M Bulldogs (1–1) at Tennessee State Tigers (1–1) – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday September 13, 2025
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C)
- Game attendance: 10,208
- Referee: Gabriel Tomlin
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Laing (play-by-play) and Dean Cokinos (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (8:25) AAMU – Victor Barbosa 26-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:23; Alabama A&M 3–0)
- Second quarter
- (13:51) AAMU – Myles Parker 5-yard pass from Cornelious Brown, Victor Barbosa kick (Drive: 8 plays, 98 yards, 2:39; Alabama A&M 10–0)
- (10:07) TNST – Kendric Rhymes 5-yard run, Freddy Perez kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:44; Alabama A&M 10–7)
- (4:29) TNST – Zack Simmons-Brown 27-yard run, Freddy Perez kick (Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:41; Tennessee State 14–10)
- (1:39) AAMU – Victor Barbosa 26-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 2:50; Tennessee State 14–13)
- (0:11) TNST – Kendric Rhymes 22-yard pass from Byron McNair, Freddy Perez kick (Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 1:19; Tennessee State 21–13)
- Third quarter
- (8:49) AAMU – Daveon Walker 30-yard pass from Cornelious Brown, Victor Barbosa kick (Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 2:45; Tennessee State 21–20)
- (0:51) AAMU – Victor Barbosa 45-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:02; Alabama A&M 23–21)
- Fourth quarter
No scoring plays
|
| Statistics |
AAMU |
TNST
|
| First downs |
19 |
21
|
| Total yards |
422 |
336
|
| Rushing yards |
67 |
179
|
| Passing yards |
355 |
157
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
23–35–0 |
17–27–1
|
| Time of possession |
24:16 |
35:44
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Alabama A&M |
Passing |
Cornelious Brown |
21/33, 329 yards, 2 TD
|
| Rushing |
Maurice Edwards |
10 carries, 38 yards
|
| Receiving |
Travaunta Abner |
6 receptions, 104 yards
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
Byron McNair |
17/27, 157 yards, TD, INT
|
| Rushing |
Kendric Rhymes |
24 carries, 111 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
Kendric Rhymes |
7 receptions, 64 yards, TD
|
vs. No. 13 Tennessee Tech (Sgt. York Trophy)
Game Four – No. 13 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (3–0) at Tennessee State Tigers (1–2) – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday September 27, 2025
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Lang (play-by-play) and Dean Cokinos (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
TNTC |
TNST
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Tennessee Tech |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
at Eastern Illinois
Game Five – Tennessee State Tigers (1–4) at Eastern Illinois Panthers (2–2) – Game summary
at O'Brien Field • Charleston, IL
- Date: Saturday October 4, 2025
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Mike Bradd (play-by-play), Dave Kidwell (analyst) and Kaylee Unruh (sideline)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
TNST |
EIU
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Eastern Illinois |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
at Southeast Missouri State
Game Six – Tennessee State Tigers (1–5) at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1–4) – Game summary
at Houck Stadium • Cape Girardeau, MO
- Date: Saturday October 11, 2025
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
TNST |
SEMO
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Southeast Missouri State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
vs. Howard
Game Seven – Howard Bison (3–3) at Tennessee State Tigers (1–5) – Game summary
at Hale Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday October 18, 2025
- Game time: 4:30 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Wind: SW at 14 miles per hour (23 km/h)
- Game attendance: 14,056
- Referee: Matt Jones
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Laing (play-by-play) and Dean Cokinos (analyst)
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- (10:59) TNST – Snap Reed 10-yard pass from Byron McNair, Freddy Perez kick (Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:54; Tennessee State 7–0)
- Second quarter
- (7:01) HOW – Anthony Reagan Jr. 2-yard run, Matt Conord kick (Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 5:16; Tied 7–7)
- (0:24) TNST – Connor Ruth 6-yard pass from Byron McNair, Freddy Perez kick (Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 1:27; Tennessee State 14–7)
- Third quarter
- (1:28) TNST – DeVaughn Slaughter 8-yard pass from Byron McNair, Freddy Perez kick (Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 3:34; Tennessee State 21–7)
- Fourth quarter
- (3:17) TNST – Freddy Perez 34-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, -1 yards, 1:02; Tennessee State 24–7)
|
| Statistics |
HOW |
TNST
|
| First downs |
10 |
7
|
| Total yards |
183 |
262
|
| Rushing yards |
67 |
88
|
| Passing yards |
116 |
174
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
14–27–2 |
18–22–0
|
| Time of possession |
31:37 |
28:23
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Howard |
Passing |
Tyriq Starks |
14/27, 116 yards, 2 INT
|
| Rushing |
Anthony Reagan Jr. |
12 carries, 44 yards, TD
|
| Receiving |
CJ Neely |
4 receptions, 56 yards
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
Byron McNair |
18/22, 174 yards, 3 TD
|
| Rushing |
Byron McNair |
6 carries, 47 yards
|
| Receiving |
Kendric Rhymes |
2 receptions, 46 yards
|
vs. Western Illinois
Game Eight – Western Illinois Leathernecks (1–7) at Tennessee State Tigers (2–5) – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday October 25, 2025
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
WIU |
TNST
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Western Illinois |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
vs. Lindenwood
Game Nine – Lindenwood Lions (3–5) at Tennessee State Tigers (2–6) – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday November 1, 2025
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
LIN |
TNST
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Lindenwood |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
at UT Martin (Sgt. York Trophy)
Game Ten – Tennessee State Tigers (2–7) at UT Martin Skyhawks (4–5) – Game summary
at Graham Stadium • Martin, TN
- Date: Saturday November 8, 2025
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
TNST |
UTM
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| UT Martin |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
vs. Gardner–Webb
Game Eleven – Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (0–0) at Tennessee State Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN
- Date: Saturday November 15, 2025
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
GWU |
TNST
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Gardner–Webb |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
at Charleston Southern
Game Twelve – Tennessee State Tigers (0–0) at Charleston Southern Buccaneers (0–0) – Game summary
at Buccaneer Field • North Charleston, SC
- Date: Saturday November 22, 2025
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
- TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
| Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
| Statistics |
TNST |
CSU
|
| First downs |
|
|
| Total yards |
|
|
| Rushing yards |
|
|
| Passing yards |
|
|
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
|
|
| Time of possession |
|
|
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| Tennessee State |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| Charleston Southern |
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
References
|
|---|
| Venues | |
|---|
| Bowls & rivalries | |
|---|
| Culture & lore | |
|---|
| People | |
|---|
| Seasons | |
|---|
National championship seasons in bold |