TSU coach wants defensive consistency

MEMPHIS, Tennessee  -- So far, Tennessee State’s defense has met most of the lofty expectations.

The Tigers have allowed two touchdowns and are ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense (208.0 yards) in the Football Championship Subdivision. Yet coach Rod Reed is not ready to praise the unit, which has every starter back from last year when it was the best in the Ohio Valley Conference.

“Two games don’t make a good defense,” said Reed, who was the Tigers defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach in 2010. “We’ve got to put together a string of games back to back; we’ve got a long season.”

The chance for the defense to put up another impressive performance comes at 6 p.m. today when TSU (1-1) plays Jackson State (1-1) in the 24th annual Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

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