Tennessee State Tigers drop shootout to UT Martin, 114-105

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -  The Tennessee State University women's basketball team scored a season-high 105 points and had six players to score in double-digits but it wasn't enough to hold off Tennessee-Martin in a, 114-105, loss to the Skyhawks Monday night in the Gentry Center.

The point total marked the most points TSU has scored in a game since posting 106 against Valparaiso in the 1990 season. Additionally, the 219 combined points from both teams is a new OVC record as Morehead (110) and EKU (106) previously held the record from the 1992-93 season.

The OVC record-breaking game, featured five ties and seven lead changes.

Jasmin Shuler led all TSU (5-10, 1-2 OVC) scorers with 20 points while Kim Haynes scored 16. Avery Jones came off the bench to score 15 followed by Rachel Allen's 14 and Kesi Hess' 13. Tayla Foster registered a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Allen also dished out seven assists.

Jasmine Newsome tallied 37 points to lead UTM (8-6, 2-0 OVC) while Heather Butler scored 35. Taylor Hall also notched double-figures with 15 points. Butler and Newsome each recorded eight assists.

The game was tied 3-3 when a couple of three-pointers put UTM on top, 9-3. The Skyhawks stretched their advantage to 14-5 on another triple at the 15:11 mark.

Over the next couple of minutes, a 7-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Kim Haynes pulled TSU to within four, 16-12. The Lady Tigers were trailing, 18-12, when an old fashioned three-point play by Kim Haynes sparked a 10-0 run that put TSU on top, 22-18.

After UTM pulled even at 26-all, the teams traded buckets. Jasmin Shuler finally got going and hit her third triple of the half to give TSU a, 37-31, advantage with about five minutes left in the frame.

The Lady Tigers were holding on to a, 46-42, lead when a 6-1 run to close out the half gave TSU a, 52-43, advantage at the break.

FINAL STATS

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Tennessee State Tigers Surge Back to Claw Central Michigan, 65-57

Nashville, Tennessee - A 39-point second half helped propel Tennessee State past Central Michigan, 65-57, on Saturday afternoon at the Gentry Center.

The Tigers (4-6) surged back to shoot 42 percent (12-of-29) in the second half. Overall, the Tigers made 22-of-55 baskets from the field for 40 percent. The Tigers forced 19 CMU turnovers and dished out 11 assists in the victory.

CMU (4-4) led by as many as 13 in the first half, before TSU answered with eight points to cut the deficit to two at the break. The Tigers then opened up to an 18-point advantage at the 14:15 mark, staving off a late Chippewas comeback.

For the game, Central Michigan shot 39 percent (23-of-59) from the field and narrowly out-rebounded the Tigers 40-to-37.

Robert Covington inked his 50th career double-digit game, scoring a game-high 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He shot 64 percent (7-of-11) from the field. The junior from Bellwood, Ill., dished out two assists and a pair of steals.

Sophomore guard Patrick Miller tallied 11 points, four boards and three assists in 29 minutes of action.

Forward Kellen Thornton anchored his fifth double-figure game with 10 points and a season-high eight rebounds. Thornton was 3-of-4 from the field and 4-of-6 at the charity stripe.



Wil Peters and Jordan Cyphers recorded eight points each and combined for seven total rebounds.

The Tigers opened up to a 6-2 advantage with 16:14 left in the first half. Central Michigan fought back with a 17-to-3 run taking a 19-9 lead.

Chris Conner's made free throw at 6:22 snapped a scoring drought of 8:32 for Tennessee State. The Chips continued to stay hot in the half opening up to a 24-11 lead with 4:33 left in the contest.

The Tigers proceeded on a 9-to-2 run, narrowing CMU's lead to 26-20 with 1:35 left in the contest. Cyphers drained a fade-away jumper to make it 26-22. On the next possession, he added a dunk to pull within two with less than a minute to go.

CMU responded with another basket, but Peters added two freebies to help the Tigers make it a 28-26 contest at the half.

For the first half, TSU made 10-of-26 from the floor (39 percent). CMU out-rebounded the Tigers 21-to-17. Covington led the Tigers with six points.

In the second half, Covington banked a triple to give TSU an early 29-28 lead. The Tigers exploded to a 17-0 run to start the second half. Central Michigan's Finis Craddock snapped the streak with a triple at the 14 minute mark.

Derek Jackson drained a triple for the Chips to pull within 51-38 with 9:48 left in the game. The Chips pulled within eight with six-plus minutes remaining.

Cyphers hit another crucial fade-away to help TSU keep a 10-point cushion. CMU's Jackson once again drained another triple to make it a 53-48 game with 4:12 left.

TSU proceeded on a 7-to-2 run with baskets from Thornton and Miller to stretch their lead to 60-51. The Tigers snapped a two-game losing skid and improved their win streak at the Gentry Center to 13-3 during the last two seasons.

The Tigers take a week hiatus for fall final exams before visiting Delaware State next Saturday, Dec. 17.

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information

Tennessee State Lady Tigers Knock Off South Alabama

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Nashville, Tenn. --- The Tennessee State University women's basketball team defeated South Alabama, 74-69, Saturday afternoon in the Gentry Center.

With the win, TSU improved to 4-5 while South Alabama fell to 5-3 on the season.

Four Lady Tigers scored in double-figures led by Kim Haynes' 16 points. Destiney Gaston recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to go with three blocks while Kesi Hess scored 11. Jasmin Shuler finished the game with 10 points and Simone Hopes grabbed nine rebounds.

South Alabama was led in scoring by Mansa El's 23 points while Jennifer Johnson added 14. Sarda Peterson and Camille Reynolds each tallied 11 points apiece.

After falling behind, 5-0, Tennessee State finally got on the on board following a bucket from Tayla Foster.

TSU was trailing 10-5 when a three-pointer by Kesi Hess sparked a 13-0 run that put the Lady Tigers on top 18-10 with 13:24 left in the half.

Both teams suffered through scoring droughts until South Alabama knocked down a three-pointer to pull within five. Kesi Hess answered with another triple on TSU's trip down the floor and made the score, 27-19, in favor of the home team.

USA rallied off eight unanswered points to knot the game at 27-all before TSU went into halftime leading, 32-29.

In the second half, both teams traded buckets until a triple by Jasmin Shuler and a lay-up from Simone Hopes gave TSU a 39-33 advantage. TSU was leading 41-35 when a 7-3 run put the Lady Tigers up by double-digits.



With about eight minutes left in the game, Kim Haynes knocked down a three-pointer to make the TSU lead, 62-50. Over the next couple of minutes, the Jaguars used a short run to cut the deficit down to six but the Lady Tigers climbed back on top, 71-62 when Rachel Allen found Destiney Gaston under the basket.

USA pulled to within six before hitting a three-pointer with 8.1 seconds left in the game to close within four, 73-69. The Jaguars fouled Rachel Allen on the next possession but Allen knocked down 1-of-2 to make the score 74-69. USA's final shot attempt was off the mark.

Tennessee State went 25-of-63 (39.7 percent) from the field including a scorching 50 percent (9-of-18) from three-point range. South Alabama finished the game with a 38.7 field goal percentage (24-of-62) while shooting, 21.6 percent (6-of-23) from beyond the arc.

TSU outrebounded USA, 48-41 and also held the advantage in blocks, 4-1.

The Lady Tigers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Jackson State.

TSU vs. South Alabama Final Box

By Tennessee State University Sports Information

Tennessee State Tigers gets first win vs. SEC at South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina -- Robert Covington scored 16 points, and Jordan Cyphers came off the bench to add 12 to lead Tennessee State past host South Carolina 64-63 on Sunday night for the Tigers’ first victory in 24 games against a Southeastern Conference team.

South Carolina (1-2), which trailed by 22 points with 14:49 remaining, had a chance to force overtime on two R.J. Slawson free throws with 7.5 seconds remaining, but the 78 percent free-throw shooter missed the second one. Eric Smith scored all 18 of his points in the second half for South Carolina.

“It’s always good to get a road win,” said TSU Coach John Cooper, a former South Carolina assistant coach. “(South Carolina) came out in the second half and outplayed us. We found a way to win. It got ugly for us. We had so many lessons from close losses, but we were finally able to get one.”

The Tigers play at No. 1 North Carolina on Tuesday.

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South Carolina Gamecocks Held Off by Tennessee State, 64-63

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Gamecocks (1-2) suffered a 64-63 defeat against Tennessee State (2-2) on Sunday night at Colonial Life Arena competing in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational. Sophomore guard Eric Smith led the Gamecocks with 18 points, doubling a career high.

Tennessee State started a run as the game passed the 10-minute mark and held a 15-9 lead with just over eight minutes left in the opening half. Carolina gained new life 30 seconds later after senior Malik Cooke poked the ball free from a Tiger guard and Lakeem Jackson collected the loose ball to take it down the floor and slam home a two-handed dunk.

Tennessee State's Robert Covington would hit a 3 at the other end, but Cooke would follow with a free throw and Damien Leonard hit a 3 from the corner to pull the Gamecocks to within three points of the Tigers with 5:31 left in the stanza. Following the under-four minute media timeout, Tennessee State's Jordan Cyphers buried two 3s and added three free throws, as the Tigers took a 33-19 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Final Stats |  Quotes  Highlights

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TSU has depth to make coach's vision work

With all five starters returning, Tigers hope to contend in OVC

Nashville, Tennessee -- Of the three transfers eligible to play men’s basketball at Tennessee State this season, Muniru Bawa stands taller than the others. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Indiana transfer and Ghana native is pretty hard to miss. But like the other two transfers, Bawa will not be counted on to do anything more than contribute and find a role on the team, TSU Coach John Cooper said.

“My biggest concern is that I really worry about the expectations that he faces,” Cooper said. “Any time you’re at this level and you come in with that size there’s an expectation from the fan base and everybody around that he just comes in and he’s the savior.”

Beginning his third season, Cooper has five returning starters and adds three transfers and redshirt freshman M.J. Rhett to the mix. “I don’t even know who’s starting Friday,” Cooper said of the opener at Saint Louis. “Guys are going to play and guys are going to get minutes. I want them to be ready."

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Hall of Famer Richard Dent backs TSU's return to Hale Stadium

Possible future plans for Hale Stadium on the campus of Tennessee State University.

Nashville, Tennessee -- Former Tennessee State defensive end and recent NFL Hall of Fame inductee Richard Dent said he supports the Tigers moving their home games back to Hale Stadium and will help fund the project.

Dent said he already has made his first financial donation earmarked for the renovation of Hale Stadium, where the Tigers last played in 1998. The former Chicago Bear said he also met with university officials and informed them he was setting up a campaign in which he will match donations from other alumni.

“I’m starting a matching fund with my Make A Dent Foundation … and I’m really looking forward to helping the school,” Dent said. “I think it’s important to play games on campus.”

Dent attended Saturday’s game with UT Martin as co-grand marshal of TSU’s homecoming festivities. TSU has played at LP Field since 1999.

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Tennessee State Tigers gets familiar with comeback victories

Nashville, Tennessee -- For the second consecutive week, Tennessee State overcame a double-digit deficit to keep alive its hopes of posting a winning record. After falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter, the Tigers scored four consecutive touchdowns, then had to hold UT Martin off for a 35-30 victory.

The Tigers (5-5, 4-3 OVC) end the season next week at home against Jacksonville State. An LP Field crowd of 19,537 watched TSU claim its fourth win in five games. The Tigers’ last winning season came in 2008 when they finished 8-4.

Last week, TSU fell behind Eastern Illinois 17-5 in the third quarter and battled back for an 18-17 win. “The Cardiac Kids is taken, the Comeback Kids is taken; I don’t know what you should call us,” TSU Coach Rod Reed said. “But I don’t want us to have a nickname like that. I don’t want us to have to win like this anymore.”

UT Martin (5-5, 4-3) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and threatened to take back the lead when it recovered an onside kick with 2:47 remaining and then drove into TSU territory.

Photo Gallary: TSU vs. UT-Martin




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TSU rallies with 13 points in fourth quarter to edge E. Illinois

CHARLESTON, Illinois -- Tennessee State scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, and Trabis Ward scored the game-winner with 1:49 left as the Tigers edged Eastern Illinois 18-17 on Saturday. Ward posted a career-high 142 yards rushing and also scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Eastern Illinois (2-8, 1-7 OVC) made it to midfield, but a fourth-and-5 pass bounced off the hands of receiver Von Wise. The Tigers (4-5, 3-3) stopped all five of the Panthers’ fourth-down plays in the game.

“Our offense grinded out a huge score, and our defense had a big stop on fourth down,” TSU Coach Rod Reed said. “I am extremely proud of these kids as they showed a lot of character.”

TSU put together a 15-play drive to make it a 17-12 game with 14:28 left on Ward’s 3-yard run. Ward had runs of 27 and 4 yards to start the winning touchdown drive, then quarterback Mike German lobbed a 29-yard pass to Billy Davis to move the ball to the EIU 17.



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Spoo Legacy Game Spoiled By TSU, 18-17

CHARLESTON, ILL. - The story book ending Eastern Illinois had hoped to send long time head coach Bob Spoo out with on Saturday afternoon was spoiled as the Panthers fell one point short in an 18-17 loss to Tennessee State.

Spoo coached his final game at O'Brien Field with more than 100 former players on hand to pay tribute to the Panthers all time leader in football wins. Spoo is in his 25th and final season as EIU's head coach having led the program to 144 wins and nine FCS playoff appearances. EIU fell to 2-8 on the year, 1-7 in the OVC. The Panthers will play the final game of Spoo's long career next Saturday at Southern Illinois. TSU improved to 4-5 overall, 3-3 in the OVC.

EIU held a 7-5 lead at the half as the Panthers defense had an inspired effort that included two inceptions of Tigers quarterback Mike German. Antonio Taylor and Pat Wertz both had their first career interceptions for EIU as TSU's only offensive score was a 51-yard field goal by Jamin Godfrey with six seconds left in the half.



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Tennessee State University Track & Field 2011-12

Tennessee State falls to Eastern Kentucky

Richmond, Kentucky -- Defensive pressure and a strong Eastern Kentucky rushing attack ended Tennessee State’s winning streak at two games in the Colonels’ 33-22 win Saturday.

TSU (3-5, 2-3 OVC) was held to 65 yards rushing by Eastern Kentucky (4-3, 3-1) after scoring 97 points in the two previous games. Redshirt freshman quarterback Mike German threw his first two interceptions and was replaced by former starter Jeremy Perry in the third quarter.

Matt Denham rushed for 226 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Colonels, who finished with 375 yards rushing.

“They gained over 250 yards rushing,” TSU Coach Rod Reed said. “Any time you do that, allow a team to run the football on you, I do not see very much success happening. We pride ourselves on stopping the run and we did not do that today, and it cost us.”

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TSU AoB at TTU 10/16/11

2011 OVC Cross Country Championship Preview (Tenn. State)

Nashville, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University men's and women's cross country teams conclude the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Front Runner Invitational hosted by Chattanooga. The 2011 OVC Cross Country Championship will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Arlington Golf Course in Richmond, Ky. Eastern Kentucky University will serve as the host.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
OVC Championship (Richmond, Ky.)
Austin Peay
Eastern Illinois
Eastern Kentucky
Jacksonville State
Morehead State
Murray State
Southeast Missouri
Tennessee State
Tennessee Tech
UT Martin



Tennessee State: Tennessee State traveled to the Front Runner Invitational in Chattanooga on Saturday to compete in the five-team field. The Flying Tigers placed fourth overall as did the Tigerbelles. Christopher Hobbs led the men's team for the fifth time this season, running the 5K course in 17:30 to place 20th overall. Charita Harris led the women's squad for the first time this year, covering the 2-mile course in 13:14 and placing 16th overall. The race was the last prep before running at the OVC Championship in Richmond, Ky. in two weeks.

VISIT: TSUTIGERS
VISIT: OVCSPORTS

Tennessee State's big offense beats Tennessee Tech

COOKEVILLE, Tennessee — Tennessee State’s newfound explosive offense helped the Tigers score early and often on the way to a 42-40 upset over No. 19 Tennessee Tech. The win came on the heels of TSU’s 55-3 trouncing of Southeast Missouri last week.

It marked the first time TSU (3-4, 2-2) has won back-to-back OVC games since beating Southeast Missouri and Eastern Kentucky in 2009.

“It feels great to win two in a row and I’ve got about six hours to enjoy it and then I’m on to the next one,” said TSU redshirt freshman quarterback Mike German, who completed 19 of 29 passes for 232 yards with two TD passes and one TD run. “We were good on offense, but we’ve got to finish. We’ve got to keep it up longer and put teams away.”

Even after taking a 42-20 lead in the third quarter after Dante’ Thomas ran in his second TD, TSU wasn’t able to put Tech away until the final 15 seconds. Tech (4-2, 3-1) scored 20 points in the final 18:14.

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TTU FOOTBALL: Tech rally falls short

COOKEVILLE -- It went down to just one yard Saturday night. As the Tennessee Tech football team kicked the onside kick to get the ball back with about 15 seconds remaining, the officials ruled that the kick did not go the required distance, while the replay did.

But in the end, Tennessee State knocked off the No. 19 Golden Eagles 42-40, buoyed by four costly turnovers for Tech (4-2, 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference).

"It was just a disappointing loss for us," said Tech coach Watson Brown. "We got outplayed. They did the things they did last week (against Southeast Missouri) better. We have to play better. We can't turn the ball over. We can't have the penalties we had (11 for 80 yards). We have to play better defense. You can't win games when you can't stop people. You just can't outscore people every week."



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TSU snaps OVC losing streak, pounds SEMO 55-3

Nashville, Tennessee -- Tennessee State released a bunch of pent-up frustration Saturday night by pounding Southeast Missouri from the opening kickoff in a 55-3 victory. The Tigers snapped a nine-game OVC losing streak by beating the Redhawks 55-3.

TSU scored on seven of its eight possessions in the first half and claimed its most lopsided win since beating Tennessee Martin 76-0 in 1998. The 52-point loss matched Southeast Missouri’s worst since joining the OVC in 1991.



The Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak. They hadn’t won since the last time they played at LP Field, beating Southern 33-7 in the season opener. Last week TSU (2-4, 1-2) blew a 21-point first-half lead in a 37-34 loss at Austin Peay.

“I think we started something last week,” said second-year Coach Rod Reed, who earned his first OVC win. “We had an opportunity to win that game, but we let it slip away. We talked about finishing all week. We came in at halftime with that (41-0) lead, and it was still all business.”



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Vote will decide if TSU returns to Hale Stadium

Nashville, Tennessee -- The next election in Nashville won’t choose any political leaders, but it will decide if a treasured but dilapidated football stadium comes roaring back to life for its owner’s 100th birthday next fall.

Tennessee State University announced Thursday that students and alumni — and anyone else who cares enough to pay $10 — can vote on whether to bring football back to Hale Stadium for three games in 2012. Results will be announced at TSU’s homecoming game against the University of Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 12 at LP Field.

“We will abide by what you say,” interim President Portia Holmes-Shields said during a news conference at the stadium often known as “The Hole.”

“It’s going to be contingent on what you guys say: ‘Hale yes’ or ‘Hale no.’ Vote early, vote often.”

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APSU holds off Tennessee State 37-34

Clarksville, Tennessee - Austin Peay beat Tennessee State 37-34 in an OVC and Sgt. York Trophy game at Governors Stadium Saturday night. With the win, the Govs are now 2-0 in the OVC for the first time since 1977. But it didn't look like things were going to go APSU's way after TSU returned to opening kick off 100 yards for a touchdown and sprinting out to a 27-6 lead with 4:10 left in the second quarter.

The Govs went on and outscored TSU 31-7 after that and sealed in on Stephen Stansell's 35-yard field goal with 10.1 seconds left in the game.

Jake Ryan's 300-yd passing game was first since Mark Cunningham threw for 308 on Oct. 28, 2006 against ...

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Austin Peay rallies to beat TSU, starts OVC play 2-0 for first time since 1977

It's usually easy to figure out how Austin Peay faired after it allowed the opening kickoff go for a touchdown and after it's fallen behind 27-6 with 4:10 left to go in the first half. That's usually, but so far the Govs aren't acting like teams in years past.

And every time Austin Peay and Tennessee State get together, a game coming down to the final moments is expected and Saturday's OVC and Sgt. York Trophy game was no different. Last year the Govs needed to score late to pull out a victory. Adrian Mines caught a touchdown pass with 40 seconds left to give APSU a 26-23 triumph.

This time, it was Stephen Stansell that provided the celebration, and his 35-yard field goal with 10.1 seconds left lifted the Govs to a 37-34 conference win over the Tigers.

The win was APSU's second straight, third consecutive over TSU, and more importantly made them 2-0 in the OVC for the first time since 1977; the same year of the football program's only conference championship.

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TSU prepares to face Austin Peay with depleted roster

Clarksville, Tennessee - A 63-24 loss at Air Force last week and a 58-27 loss the week before at Murray State left the Tigers (1-3, 0-1) with a long list of injured players as they prepare for Saturday’s OVC game at Austin Peay (1-2, 1-0). Seven starters are listed as questionable or out for this week’s game:

Nose tackle Donte’e Nicholls left last week’s game with an upper body injury. He will be replaced by freshman Samquan Evans. Defensive end Tyler Lusk did not play last week (leg) and is not expected back this week. Freshman Detorrius Shipley will replace him. Defensive tackle Lamar Wallace did not start (leg). Redshirt freshman D.J. McCellion replaced Wallace.

Middle linebacker Rico Council, TSU’s leading tackler with 34, left last week’s game (leg) and did not return. He practiced Tuesday, but is questionable. Freshman Mike West came in for Council. Fullback Johntae Gleaves did not play (leg). He returned to practice wearing a brace on his knee but won’t start this week. Redshirt freshman Stephen Brooks, a converted linebacker, has replaced Gleaves.

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Air Force Breezes Past Tennessee State, 63-24

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colorado - Tim Jefferson threw for a career-high three touchdowns and Air Force piled up a school record 792 yards of offense in a 63-24 rout of Tennessee State on Saturday.

The Falcons (2-1) were coming off a bye week after losing at home to TCU and the rust showed with four first-half gaffes that might have proven costly were this not such a mismatch.

AFA rushed for six touchdowns, including the first two of junior Mike DeWitt's career and one by starter Asher Clark, who had 148 yards on 13 carries. The Falcons were on the sideline cheering when freshman Jonathan Lee scampered into the end zone from 49 yards out on his first collegiate carry, which made it 63-17.

The Tigers of the Ohio Valley Conference had never allowed so many points.

Jefferson (13 for 15 for 178 yards) threw a pair of 34-yard scoring strikes, Clark scored on a 7-yard run, DeWitt took it in from 4 yards out and Wes Cobb added a 2-yard TD run for the Falcons, who led 35-10 at halftime. It could have been much worse.

Air Force defensive back Anthony Wooding Jr. allowed Calvin McNairl to blow past him and haul in an 80-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, and Falcons running back Anthony LaCoste was stripped a foot before crossing the goal line on a 22-yard run in the second quarter.

Box Score | Photo Gallery | Postgame Notes  | Postgame Quotes 

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Air Force scrambles to replace its open date with Tennessee St.

Tennessee State Tigers Head Coach Rod Reed

Colorado Springs, CO - It wasn't quite like searching for a needle in a haystack, but for Jim Trego at Air Force, there was a big sigh of relief when his call to Tennessee State proved fruitful.

During February and March of this year, Trego, a senior associate athletic director, was telephoning, e-mailing and contacting everyone he knew to find an opponent to fill the Sept. 24 date on Air Force's 2011 football schedule.

The combination of BYU and Utah departing the Mountain West and only one school, Boise State, coming in left Air Force in need of a game.

"I shut my office door and started going through the phone directory trying to find a game," Trego said. "I just kept looking and looking and finally found Tennessee State with an open date. I've been involved in scheduling for 24 years, and that was the biggest challenge I've ever had."

In Nashville, officials at Tennessee State also were looking for a game. A matchup in the Atlanta Football Classic against Florida A&M had fallen through. The telephone call from Trego proved a blessing.

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TSU allows 630 passing yards; Tigers lose big to Murray State

MURRAY, Ky. — In Tennessee State's first two games, the Tigers gave up a combined 600 passing yards. Against Murray State on Saturday, the Tigers defense also had trouble stopping the Racers’ passing attack, losing 58-27 in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Racer quarterback Casey Brockman threw for a school-record 600 yards and seven touchdowns, going 47-of-67. He broke his previous single-game records for passing yards (570), attempts (58) and completions (41). He also tied the record for touchdowns in a game.



Racers’ receiver Patrick Robertson contributed to Brockman’s record-setting day, hauling in seven catches for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Brockman tied the conference touchdown mark on Robertson’s third score.

The Football Championship Subdivision record for most passes completed in a game is 57. The FCS record for passing yards in a game is 624 and passing touchdowns in a game is 9. The Racers had 630 passing yards total.



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Southern Heritage Classic: Jackson State rallies to win shootout over Tennessee State

JSU's Therriault MVP after throwing three TDs

Memphis, TN - The way Tennessee State and Jackson State were marching up and down the field in the first half of Saturday’s Southern Heritage Classic, JSU coach Rick Comegy was ready to pull out the Dramamine.

Fortunately, the Tigers defense settled down in the second half and JSU managed to erase a 24-21 halftime deficit to beat TSU, 35-29, in front of 43,532 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. “What a see-saw,” Comegy said. “I think I was getting motion sickness it was so up and down. I’m glad we came out with the win.”

The win is JSU’s (2-0) second straight over TSU after dropping the previous seven meetings. Like most of their meetings, this one came down to the wire. JSU led 28-26 and was hoping to take some time off the clock when it took over from its own 11 with 6:34 to play. But a 17-yard pass from Casey Therriault to Rico Richardson gave the Tigers some breathing room.

A 22-yard strike to Keenan Tillman put the Tigers in TSU territory at the 41. That set up a 39-yard run by running back Tommy Gooden, who was tripped up at the 2-yard line.

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Air Raid returns

Rico Richardson spiked the ball into the Liberty Bowl Stadium turf, the Sonic Boom blasted their horns and Jackson State had a second straight win in the Southern Heritage Classic.

Richardson's 21-yard touchdown pass from scrambling quarterback Casey Therriault in the final minutes sealed Jackson State's 35-29 win over Tennessee on Saturday night.

The touchdown toss gave JSU a nine-point advantage with 2 minutes, 4 seconds left and capped quite an offensive performance from a unit that struggled just last week against tiny Concordia College.

Behind a rebuilt offensive line - featuring two new starters - Therriault threw for 337 yards and three scores, and the Tigers had two running backs, Tommy Gooden and B.J. Lee, break 65 yards as they rolled up a whopping 477 yards of offense.

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Jackson State defeats Tennessee State University in wild game

MEMPHIS, TN — After winning seven straight in the series, Tennessee State has now lost twice in a row to Jackson State after Saturday’s 35-29 defeat. A crowd of 43,532 at the 22nd annual Southern Heritage Classic watched Jackson State rally in the second half and then TSU make a late comeback attempt at the Liberty Bowl.

“What a seesaw,” Jackson State Coach Rick Comegy said. “I think I was getting motion sickness it was so up and down.”

Jackson State (2-0) led 28-26 when it took over at its 11 with 6:34 to play. But 17-yard pass from Casey Therriault to Rico Richardson gave the Tigers some breathing room. A 22-yard strike Keenan Tillman put Jackson State in TSU territory at the 41. That set up a 39-yard run by running back Tommy Gooden, who was tripped up at the 2.

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