Game 1: Tennessee State 34, Bethune-Cookman 3
Event: The 20th Annual John Merrit Classic
Records: TSU (1-0), B-CU (0-1)
Venue: Nissan Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Weather: Mostly Clear, 82
Kickoff Time: 6:24 p.m.
Attendance: 14,069
Event: The 20th Annual John Merrit Classic
Records: TSU (1-0), B-CU (0-1)
Venue: Nissan Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Weather: Mostly Clear, 82
Kickoff Time: 6:24 p.m.
Attendance: 14,069
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Powered by 525 yards to total offense and an impressive defensive performance, the Tennessee State football team earned a 34-3 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Friday night at Nissan Stadium in the 20th annual John Merritt Classic.
Chris Rowland, who was voted offensive MVP, finished with 154 yards on seven receptions. He added 64 yards on four punt returns and one rush for eight yards for 226 all purpose yards.
Micheal Hughes and DeMarco Corbin had rushing touchdowns, while DeVon Johnson had a touchdtown catch.
DaJour Nesbeth added the exclamation mark with a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown with just over five minutes to play in the game for a 34-3 lead. LaQuarius Cook picked up an interception earlier in the game for the defense. Blair Edwards won defensive MVP after registering seven tackles, one sack and one pass breakup.
Freshman kicker Antonio Zita hit two field goals on the night in his collegiate debut.
TSU is back in action on Sept. 8 in Memphis for the Southern Heritage Classic versus Jackson State.
NOTES
- First-time starters for Tennessee State included Demry Croft, Anthony Geter, Raekwon Allen, Mekhi Brown, Christion Abercrombie, Dante’ Ferguson Jr., Te'kendrick Roberson and Nick Harper Jr.
- Captains for TSU were Micheal Hughes, Demry Croft, Thomas Burton, Dell Porter and LaQuarius Cook.
- TSU won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
- Tennessee State is now 8-2 in the all-time series versus Bethune-Cookman.
- TSU improves to 13-6 all-time in the John Merritt Classic.
- Rod Reed is 21-4 in his TSU head coaching career versus HBCUs.
- Reed secured his 50th career win as TSU's head coach.
- The last time TSU had 200-plus yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground was in the 2017 season opener at Georgia State.
- TSU’s 525 yards of total offense are the most for the program since posting 577 on Nov. 22, 2014 at Murray State.
QUOTES
Quarterback Micheal Hughes
(on being 1-0)
“It’s very important. That’s how you want to start the season off. I’m very excited. A lot of guys put in a lot of hard work for this moment. It’s very exciting to start the season off 1-0.”
(on being 1-0)
“It’s very important. That’s how you want to start the season off. I’m very excited. A lot of guys put in a lot of hard work for this moment. It’s very exciting to start the season off 1-0.”
(on chemistry with Chris Rowland)“Chris and I worked all summer together. He’s a hard-working guys, and he gets open when he needs to, so he did a good job.”
(on putting up 525 yards of total offense)
“That says we’re explosive. We’re in no huddle this year, so it gives us more opportunities - more snaps. It wasn’t a surprise for me. It’s great.”
“That says we’re explosive. We’re in no huddle this year, so it gives us more opportunities - more snaps. It wasn’t a surprise for me. It’s great.”
Linebacker James Green(on the success of the defense)“Tonight’s success on the defensive side was great. Even though they had too many yards for us to be comfortable, we played a good game. We’re going to continue to get better.”
(on the mentality on third down)
“Put a foot on their neck. We weren’t going to let them come back. We were going to continue to play defense and be great. That’s how we’re going to play. We have to have some juice.”
“Put a foot on their neck. We weren’t going to let them come back. We were going to continue to play defense and be great. That’s how we’re going to play. We have to have some juice.”
(on the play of the newcomers)“We set the tempo for the season, and we’re going to keep getting better week-by-week. We’re one defense. We’re going to continue helping each other.”
Safety LaQuarius Cook(on winning the opening game)“That’s big. We came out and played strong. First game so guys had to get the jitters out. We’ve got a lot of stuff we can learn from, but it’s good to get the win.”
(on winning the John Merritt Classic as a senior)“It means a lot. I haven’t lost a John Merritt Classic since I’ve been here. I’m proud to say that.”
(on the strong play of the defense)
“That’s Coach (Garry) Fischer and the guys believing in what we do. We still have work to do. It was alright, but we’re trying to be number one in the nation, so we have work to do.”
“That’s Coach (Garry) Fischer and the guys believing in what we do. We still have work to do. It was alright, but we’re trying to be number one in the nation, so we have work to do.”
Offensive Lineman Anthony Geter
(on the play of the offensive line)
“I think the offensive line did a great job of pass protecting and run blocking. We’re just doing what Coach E taught us all year. All camp, really, just dominate up front.”
(on the play of the offensive line)
“I think the offensive line did a great job of pass protecting and run blocking. We’re just doing what Coach E taught us all year. All camp, really, just dominate up front.”
(on switching quarterbacks)
“Sometimes we had issues with getting calls off and getting set, but it’s really no big deal. Both of them played well.”
“Sometimes we had issues with getting calls off and getting set, but it’s really no big deal. Both of them played well.”
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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