TSU Football Takes Down UT Martin, 31-28, in Overtime Thriller

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Game 9: Tennessee State 31, UT Martin 28 (OVERTIME)
Records: TSU (4-5, 3-4 OVC), UTM (2-9, 2-6 OVC)
Venue: William H. Jasper Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 62
Kickoff Time: 2:04 p.m.
Attendance: 3,618

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee State football team capped the 2018 season in style with a 31-28 overtime victory over UT Martin on Senior Day at Hale Stadium in Ohio Valley Conference play.

With the score tied at 25-25 at the end of regulation, TSU (4-5, 3-4 OVC) forced UT Martin (2-9, 2-6 OVC) into a field goal on the first possession of overtime. Getting the ball back, TSU redshirt junior quarterback Cameron Rosendahl hit DeVon Johnson in the back of the endzone from four yards out for the game-winning touchdown. It was the third touchdown connection between Rosendahl and Johnson on the night.

In his first career start, Rosendahl finished 15-of-22 for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

Freshman linebacker Jahsun Bryant finished with a team-high 11 tackles for TSU, while junior cornerback Dajour Nesbeth had an interception and eight tackles on the night.

FIRST QUARTER

• Tennessee State forced a three-and-out on the UT Martin’s second drive, but a roughing the kicker call gave the visitors a new set of downs.
• The defense stood tall as Jahsun Bryant stopped a Skyhawk runner behind the line of scrimmage for a four yard loss.
• Cameron Rosendahl picked up a first down on an 11 yard rush on the next possession, before Kaleb Mosley’s third punt.
• On the Skyhawks next series, Jeremiah Caine and Raymond Horton teamed to stop UTM short of the yard to gain on a fourth down attempt.
• UTM outgained the Tigers 51-45 in a scoreless quarter. 

SECOND QUARTER

• The Tigers scored first with a 34 yard field goal off the foot of Antonio Zita on the opening drive.
• TSU 11 rushes for 34 yards to get in range for Zita’s 10th field goal of the season.
• After the teams traded three-and-outs, Mosley booted a career long 50 yard punt which went out of bounds at the one yard line.
• On the next play, dell Porter shot around the right side of line and hit the Skyhawks Ty Brown in the end zone for a safety, giving TSU a 5-0 advantage with 4:57 remaining in the half.
• On the ensuing kickoff, DeVon Johnson broke around the left side for a 37 yard return to midfield.
• Two plays later Rosendahl hit Johnson for a 47 yard touchdown pass.
• Johnson out leaped a pair of defenders and fought his way the final seven yards and reaching the ball across the goal line for his fourth score of the season.
• Rosendahl’s first touchdown pass as a Tiger made the score 12-0.
• UTM kicked a 19 yard field goal on the last play of the half to cut the lead to nine, 12-3.
• TSU outgained UTM, 93-75, in the quarter. 

THIRD QUARTER

• With just under 10 minutes in the quarter, Dajour Nesbeth intercepted a Joe Hudson pass and returned it 27 yards to the Skyhawks 11.
• The Tigers added to their lead with a 22 yard field goal by Zita, increasing the lead to 15-3.
• UTM responded with a 75 yard touchdown pass on a third-and-long to make the score 15-10 with 6:24 on the clock.
• The Tigers closed out the quarter using all 6:24 and headed into the final stanza with a first and goal at the UTM five.
• On the drive, Rosendahl completed a 15 yard pass to Shawn McColley for a first down to start the series.
• The Tigers took advantage of a pass interference call on a second and 17 to keep the drive alive.
• Rosendahl then teamed with Steven Newbold for 16 yards and 10 to Johnson, moving the ball to the 10.
• UTM outgained the Tigers 103-44 in the quarter. 

FOURTH QUARTER

• The Big Blue capped off a 15 play, 56 yard drive with a 27 yard field goal by Zita.
• The kicker’s third conversion of the game came at the end of an eight minute drive.
• UT Martin completed a 32 yard pass for a touchdown on a fourth down attempt to move within two points with 9:54 remaining in regulation.
• The Skyhawks tied the game, 18-18, on a two-point conversion.
• TSU wasted no time breaking the tie as the moved 72 yards in six plays, needing just over two minutes to take a 25-18 lead.
• Rosendahl completed three straight passes, the final going for 28 yards to Johnson for his second touchdown of the game.
• The Tiger defense seemed to close out the contest with 2:28 remaining as Dante Ferguson and Justin Culpepper met at the quarterback for a sack to force a turnover in downs.
• UT Martin forced a stop and started their final drive with 46 seconds remaining in regulation.
• The Skyhawks completed a 43 yard pass for a touchdown with 10 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 25-25 and force overtime. 

WHAT'S NEXTThis marked the final game of the 2018 season. Tennessee State will open the 2019 season on Aug. 31, as they host Hampton University in the John Merritt Classic.

GAME NOTES

• Chris Rowland, DeVon Johnson, LaQuarius Cook and Thomas Burton were captains for TSU.
• UT Martin won the coin toss and elected to defer the opening kickoff.
• Redshirt junior Cameron Rosendahl made his first career start at quarterback and threw the first three touchdowns of his TSU career.
• Freshman Caleb Mosley booted a 50-yard punt. It is the longest of his career.

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