UT Martin's Jason McNair shows flashes of his late uncle

Nashville, Tennessee -- His last name is McNair, he plays hard and plays hurt, and he’ll be at LP Field today. Jason McNair, nephew of late Titans quarterback Steve McNair, hopes to lead UT Martin (5-4, 4-2 OVC) to a victory over Tennessee State (4-5, 3-3).

McNair, a 5-foot-9, 192-pound junior from Mount Olive, Miss., leads the Skyhawks with 737 rushing yards and has scored five touchdowns. He has fond memories of LP Field. It’s where he scored his first touchdown as a freshman when he entered the game against TSU late with the Skyhawks safely in the lead (21-7) and scored on an 11-yard run. “I’m sure I’ll always remember that run,” McNair said.

But LP Field already was a special place for McNair. It’s where he watched his uncle become one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. “My uncle left his blood, sweat and tears on that field,” McNair said.

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"Classic" Not Just A Game

Memphis, TN - Kick off to the 22nd annual Southern Heritage Classic comes later in the evening but the festivities started long before the teams ever hit the field. It all started with the folks lined up along Park Avenue in Orange Mound. People flooded the streets this weekend taking in the sights and sounds of the Classic parade.

Mamie Harmon said, "I come every year. I owned a house on Dunmoore. I lived over there for 7 years. I watched the parade. Now I live over here and I've been here 4 years and I made every parade."

They come to see the dancers, the high stepping bands including the show stopping Sonic Boom band from Jackson State University and the Aristocrat of bands from Tennessee State University. For the crowd attending, it's a sneak peek of the battle of the bands they hope to see later on the football field. However, the parade is proof the weekend is more than just about the game.



The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands visited the LeBonheur Children's Hospital of Memphis Tennnessee during their Southern Heritage Classic weekend. The annual visit gives the children inspiration and motivation on Friday afternoon, while allowing the students in the band the opportunity to perform music and give personal time and cheer to the children, before playing in Saturday's parade and football game. (9/9/11, Videographer: Cassfl)




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Ex-Tennessee State Tigers' DRC traded to Philadelphia Eagles

In three short years in the NFL, former
Tennessee State University's DRC
has become a Pro Bowl
caliber cornerback.

Philadelphia, PA - According to reports on July 28, 2011, the Cardinals have traded Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Joe Banner was the guy doing the dirty work of negotiating the Kevin Kolb for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie trade. However, there's no doubt that GM Howie Roseman was closely involved as well. He met the media for a bit yesterday to give his thoughts on the player the Eagles received in the deal.

"This is a Pro Bowl caliber cornerback and an exciting guy to have on our team." Roseman said, "He's got great ball skills, he's explosive, and he'll fit well with the kind of posture we're going with on defense."

He says that the Eagles have liked DRC ever since scouting him in college.

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Albany State: Coach Steve Smith -- Two-and-done

ALBANY, GA — The Albany State “Gold Rush” offense has officially lost a little bit of its glow.

Steve Smith, the school’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, turned in his resignation March 7 to head coach Mike White to take over as running game coordinator and offensive line coach at Tennessee State, a Division I program in Nashville.

Stanley Jennings - 2010 SIAC MVP and Offensive Player
 of the Year. 

“I wasn’t looking for another opportunity, it just happened,” Smith, a Chicago native, told The Herald via telephone Thursday afternoon. “It was just a good opportunity, closer to home, bigger school, little better financial situation — all of that.”

Smith was afforded the opportunity by Tennessee State offensive coordinator Mike Jones, who Smith worked with during his time with the NFL Europe’s Frankfurt Galaxy in Germany.

White confirmed Smith’s resignation Thursday.

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TSU values football classics for history, money

Tennessee State Coach Rod Reed told his players this week that Florida A&M would be the best team they've faced. He also emphasized the importance of the game even though it is not against an OVC opponent. The Tigers (1-2) and Rattlers (2-1), from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, have met 14 times in the Atlanta Football Classic, and FAMU has won 11.

"I don't view either type of game as being more important than the other whether it's a conference game or one of our classics," said Reed, who is TSU's all-time leading tackler with 406 from 1985-88. "I embrace the classics. That's our heritage as (a Historically Black College and University)." TSU usually plays non-OVC opponents in Classics, which routinely draw larger crowds and are steeped in tradition.

FAMU Ready For Atlanta Classic

It's a rivalry that dates back to 1944. FAMU head football coach Joe Taylor says, "Through the Jake Gaither, John Meritt days when those two guys always had tremendous battles and we're just keeping that tradition going."

A tradition that began in 1989, sixteen games between Tennessee State and FAMU have met halfway, in Atlanta, to play in what is now called the Atlanta Football Classic. FAMU sophomore DT Padric Scott adds, "It's always a big event. The history and tradition surrounding it, now you can't let that get too much over you so you still have to approach it as a game, but it's also a great game to have that environment."



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Taraji P. Henson’s ‘From the Rough’ to start filming story on TSU coach

Actress and singer Taraji P. Henson is a descendant of Matthew Alexander Henson, discoverer of the Geographic North Pole. She was born in N.E. Washington, D.C., and earned a B.A. degree from Howard University in Theater Arts. Henson played the role of Queeni in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2009.

Independent motion picture company Gyre Entertainment will begin production of the sports drama, “From the Rough,” starring Academy Award Nominee Taraji P. Henson in New Orleans October 4, 2010.

“From the Rough” is based on the remarkable true story of the first female head coach of an NCAA Division One men’s golf team, Dr. Catana Starks at Tennessee State University. Henson plays the fictional character Cassandra Turner who represents Starks in the film. Turner is a female coach at a historically black college/university (HBCU) who faces an uphill battle as she attempts to establish the school?s first men?s golf team.

“The extraordinary film explores one’s ability to transform life’s rough circumstances into distinct advantages,” said Pierre Bagley. “It confronts issues of race, gender, class, and cultural barriers in ways that are provocative, and sometimes hilarious.”



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Golfer hits Tennessee State Tigers milestone

Tennessee State University Male Athlete of the Year, Chris Seibel is one of five non-black players on the Tigers Golf Team.

Chris Seibel prefers blending in. He doesn't like standing out in a crowd. On the golf course it's benefited the Indianapolis native, who says he's developed a knack for sneaking up on opponents and catching them off guard. Not being noticed in school hasn't come so easy. He is a senior at Tennessee State and the first white male athlete of the year at the historically black university since the award was established in the 1950s. TSU's only white female athlete of the year was softball pitcher Shannon Hicks of Smyrna in 2004.

TSU senior golfer Chris Seibel

"I don't like to be noticed, I'd rather fly under the radar," Seibel said. "I like going into a golf tournament where nobody really knows who I am and then surprising them." At TSU, 72 percent of the undergraduate students are black and 21 percent are white. Seibel, whose stroke average is 72.8, was named to the All-OVC team after posting four top-five and six top-10 finishes in eight events. He shot 70 and took the first-round lead Monday in the OVC Championships at GreyStone Golf Club. He finished tied for 24th. Siebel is one of five white players on TSU's golf team. There is one black player.

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Quarterback struggles at Tennessee State appeal to signee

Michael German followed new Tennessee State Coach Rod Reed's advice and did his "homework" when it came to studying the Tigers' offense. German, a quarterback at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Fla., saw TSU was unable to find a quarterback who could consistently lead the offense in 2009 and it swayed his decision when it came time to sign. Reed called German (6-2, 210) the "shining star" of his first signing class, which included 20 prospects. German passed for 2,653 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a senior while leading his team to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs.

"The biggest role in my decision was the trouble they had at quarterback,'' German said. "That gives me more opportunity to come in and play as a freshman or as a sophomore." TSU finished eighth in the OVC in total offense (273.4 yards) and last in passing offense (123.6). When asked if he believes German can compete for playing time as a freshman with junior Calvin McNairl and senior Dominic Grooms, Reed said: "That's what we're hoping for."

Tigers Ink 20 Players in Early Hours of Signing Day

The Tennessee State University Tigers have inked twenty football signees in the first hours (as of 12 noon) of National Signing day.Coach Rod Reed’s first recruiting class include eleven defensive players and nine offensive players. Eight players hail from the state of Tennessee, six players from Florida, three players from Georgia, two from Alabama and one player from Delaware.Offensively, TSU signed four linemen, two quarterbacks, two wide receivers and one tight end.

TSU Tigers 2010 Football Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. School
Ayobami Ayoola DB 5-10 170 N. Broward Prep (Fla.)
Stephen Brooks LB 6-0 230 Liberty Tech
Romario Cathey DL 6-3 300 Texas Tech
Chris Deloney WR 6-2 185 Howard
Francis Drummond QB 6-2 215 Red Lion (Del.)
Michael German QB 6-2 210 Blanche Ely (Fla.)
Stephen Godbolt DB 6-0 175 Dixie Co. (Fla.)
Jimmie Kitchen LB 6-2 265 Lithonia (Ga.)
Ishmael Lewis OL 6-2 260 Brentwood Acad.
DeMarco McNeal DB 6-2 180 Banneker (Ga.)
Anthony Morris DL 6-7 275 Cordova
Robert Myers OL 6-6 303 La Vergne
Lawrence Peterson DE 6-2 230 Melrose
Kenneth Pettiford DB 6-3 200 Whites Creek
Wilson Robinson LB 6-4 210 Spain Park (Ala.)
Brandon Rogers OL 6-4 300 Trinity (Fla.)
Wesley Samuels WR 6-4 205 Minor (Ala.)
Je-Marc Sears TE 6-3 235 New Smyrna (Fla.)
Derek Sibley OL 6-6 303 Stone Mountain (Ga.)
Bryce Wilson DB 6-0 190 Canterbury (Fla.)

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Tennessee State 2010 Football Schedule Announced

TSU head football coach Rod Reed














The Tennessee State University football team will return to the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN for the 2010 season. TSU will be matched against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe North Carolina A&T University. The Aggies will replace Southern University on the Tigers 2010 schedule. TSU’s last appearance in the Circle City Classic was in 2005 when they dropped a16-3 decision to North Carolina A&T in the RCA Dome.

The Tigers will again participate in four “Classic” games against traditional rivals from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Coupled with their seven game Ohio Valley Conference schedule, the Big Blue will play an eleven-game schedule including four games on their home turf, LP Field in Nashville, TN.

The “Classic” match-ups begin on Labor Day Weekend, September 4th with the John Merritt Classic in Nashville, TN against Alabama A&M (SWAC), then on to Memphis, TN, Sept. 11th against Jackson State (SWAC). On September 25th the Tigers travel to Atlanta, GA to face off against Florida A&M (MEAC) and on October 2nd to Indianapolis, IN to battle North Carolina A&T (MEAC).

In Ohio Valley Conference play, TSU will host Austin Peay State on September 18th in the annual Bikers’ game. Road trips to Southeast Missouri State and Jacksonville State follow on October 9th and 16th respectively. The Tigers end the month of October hosting Tennessee Tech on October 23rd, followed by an open date on October 30th. The Big Blue finishes their regular season schedule hosting Eastern Illinois for Homecoming on November 6th and finishing with road games at Tennessee Martin and Murray State on November 13th and 20th respectively.

Tennessee State University -Tentative 2010 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time
9/4 Ala. A&M Nashville, TN 6 pm John Merritt Classic, LP Field
9/11 Jackson State Memphis, TN 6 pm So. Heritage Classic, Liberty Bowl
9/18 Austin Peay Nashville, TN 6 pm Bikers’ Classic, LP Field
9/25 Florida A&M Atlanta, GA TBA Atlanta Classic, Georgia Dome
10/2 N.Carolina A&T Indianapolis, IN TBA Circle City Classic, Lucas Oil Stadium
10/9 SEMO* Cape Girardeau, MO TBA
10/16 Jax State* Jacksonville, AL TBA
10/23 Tenn. Tech * Nashville, TN 6pm LP Field
10/30 O P E N
11/6 Eastern Illinois * Nashville, TN 5 pm, Homecoming, LP Field
11/13 Tenn.-Martin* Martin, TN TBA
11/20 Murray State * Murray, KY TBA

Tennessee State 21, Eastern Illinois 10

Coach James Webster Jr., ends TSU career with 25-31 record and a First Round draft pick (16th pick overall in 2008 NFL draft), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals.

Tennessee State stalls Panthers' title plans

CHARLESTON, IL -- With ribs hurting and spirits perhaps even worse, Seymour Loftman clung to hope. “Yeah, I’m a No. 1 Gamecocks fan now,” Eastern Illinois’ senior safety said referring to Jacksonville State. Loftman was not doing cheerleader-like cartwheels, however, after his Panthers’ NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff hopes were put on hold with Thursday night’s 21-10 Ohio Valley Conference loss to Tennessee State in a regular season finale at O’Brien Field. “So now we have to get help,” EIU coach Bob Spoo said.

Now 8-3 overall, the nation’s 13th-ranked Football Championship Subdivision team stands 6-2 in the OVC and has to hope Eastern Kentucky, 5-2, loses Saturday’s game at 17th-ranked Jacksonville State. If Eastern Kentucky can knock off Jacksonville State, it would win the first-place tie-breaker for the automatic FCS playoff berth because of a 36-31 head-to-head win over EIU on Oct. 3. Even if Eastern Kentucky beats Jacksonville State, the Panthers would have a chance for an at-large berth when the 16-team playoff field is announced Sunday afternoon but the OVC’s postseason failures this decade makes that questionable.

Tennessee State coach James Webster Jr. resigns

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — James Webster Jr. has resigned as Tennessee State's football coach after five seasons. Webster announced his resignation Thursday after a season-ending 21-10 win over Eastern Illinois. The Tigers finished 4-7 this year and Webster compiled a 25-31 record at the school. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak. In a statement, the school said a search for a new coach would begin immediately.

TSU wants coach with sense of past

Less than 24 hours after accepting football Coach James Webster's resignation, Tennessee State Athletics Director Teresa Phillips started receiving inquiries from those interested in the position. Phillips said the position would not be officially posted until Monday. "Based on the pace that I see now there are going to be a lot of résumés,'' Phillips said. Webster, in his fifth season, resigned after TSU ended the season Thursday night with a 21-10 upset win over Eastern Illinois. After posting the position, Phillips said she and an advisory committee, which will include TSU president Melvin Johnson, would discuss the type of candidates they wish to bring in for interviews. "This search is wide open,'' Phillips said. "We really think we've got to get the right combination guy in here. You want to get the most experienced person you can get, the most proven person you can get."

TSU football coach quits, spoiling upset win

CHARLESTON, Ill. —James Webster resigned as Tennessee State's football coach after Thursday night's 21-10 upset win over Eastern Illinois. Webster gathered his players on the field after they beat the first-place team in the Ohio Valley Conference and informed them of his decision, which brought many to tears.

"I just told them I was very, very proud of them. I'm proud of the way that they fought back tonight. I'm proud of the character they have shown all year long,'' Webster said. "I'm proud of the fact that they haven't been in the newspaper for getting in trouble. You haven't read about Tennessee State's football players committing crimes and getting in trouble. That's because of the character I instilled in them during the five years I was here." The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Tigers, who finished with a 4-7 overall record and 3-4 in the OVC.

Attendance: 3,509@ O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, IL

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Tennessee Tech 20, Tennessee State 13

Tech Wins Homecoming Match-up

Sophomore Tim Benford caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Lee Sweeney with three minutes to play and the Tennessee Tech defense, led by redshirt freshman Caleb Mitchell, forced four turnovers as the Golden Eagles defeated Tennessee State, 20-13, in an Ohio Valley Conference game Saturday afternoon in Tucker Stadium. With the win, Tech (5-3/4-2 OVC) captured the league’s Sgt. York Trophy, finishing the series with a 3-0 mark against the three in-state schools.

"We just hung in there and hung in there, and at the end we made plays and that is what this team has been doing," said Golden Eagle head coach Watson Brown. "Every one we've won, we had to make plays in the fourth quarter to win the game, and this one was no different. "I couldn't be more proud of these kids. They've worked their fannies off and they've come a long way," Brown added. "One of the goals is done (York Trophy). We get to bring that trophy back to Cookeville."

TSU head football coach James Webster

TSU coach rips officials after loss

COOKEVILLE, TN — Tennessee State Coach James Webster began criticizing the officials moments after the Tigers' 20-13 loss to Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Webster was livid about the final play, claiming TSU receiver Joseph Hills was interfered with by more than one Tennessee Tech defender while trying to make a catch in the end zone. "He got mauled. How could you not see that?'' Webster said. "He was open, the quarterback got some pressure and he tried to put it up there, and if I've ever seen pass interference that was pass interference."

Webster said the play continued what he has perceived as a pattern of poor officiating against his team that stretches back several years. He said he has repeatedly lodged formal complaints to the Ohio Valley Conference office and seen no improvement. When asked if he believed complaining again would help, Webster said: "I've been following the rules and regulations of the OVC and we get this. "It's not fair to this football program. It's not fair to these football players. It's not fair to the fans, it's not fair to the administration and I have to accept responsibility for it.

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Florida A&M Rattlers 31, Tennessee State Tigers 12

FAMU Marching 100 Baritone Horn section get down in dance routine at Atlanta Football Classic.

FAMU wins again in Atlanta Football Classic

Florida A&M continued its dominance of Tennessee State in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic on Saturday, rolling to a 31-12 victory before a crowd of nearly 52,000 at the Georgia Dome. It was the eighth straight win in the series for the Rattlers (4-0), who were led by QB Curtis Pulley’s 315 passing yards and two second-half TD passes. Those passes helped FAMU pull away from the Tigers (1-3), who had a 12-10 halftime lead behind TD runs from Preston Brown and Calvin McNairl.

Florida A&M rolls

Tennessee State already knew Curtis Pulley could win a game with his legs. This time, he proved his arm was just as useful. Pulley, Florida A&M's quarterback, was 24-of-34 for a career-high 315 yards and two touchdowns to earn his second consecutive Bank of America Football Classic Most Valuable Player award and lead his team to a 31-12 victory at the Georgia Dome on Saturday. Most of Pulley's production came when it was most needed, as the Rattlers pulled away in the second half to remain undefeated.

The Tigers looked strong in the first two quarters, keeping Pulley from hurting them too badly and taking a 12-10 lead into the locker room. But 192 of Pulley's passing yards and both touchdowns came in the final 30 minutes, and the reason for A&M's resounding win was evident to Tennessee State coach James Webster Jr. "The difference in the ball game was the quarterback, Pulley," Webster said. "He took it to another level in the second half. Pulley made the plays with his legs and his arm. He found the receivers, and we didn't challenge the receivers like we should have challenged them."

FAMU cruises past Tennessee State, 31-12

ATLANTA — Quarterback Curtis Pulley stood on the small stage, the Atlanta Classic MVP trophy latched in his arms, while cameras snapped away. The eyes of the media might have been on Pulley, but he wouldn't forget the rest of the FAMU players that were spread around the field level. "It's great to have those guys as my teammates," Pulley said after leading the Rattlers to a 31-12 victory over Tennessee State at the Georgia Dome.

Later on, Pulley would thank his receivers who helped him to a career-high 315 passing yards. "It was just great to make plays with our receivers," he said. "We have been kind of balanced in the first couple of games, but we just opened it up. The O-line did a great job of not letting any pressure get back there (to the pocket) and the receivers did a good job of getting open." Pulley never stopped relying on what he could do with his arm, and for the first game this season he didn't outdo himself running the ball. He carried nine times for 23 yards, a career low.

FAMU receiver Elliott has good outing despite drops

ATLANTA — After dropping four passes last week against Howard University, FAMU receiver Kevin Elliott fired off a text to offensive coordinator Lawrence Kershaw. "I apologized and I told him I would never play like that again," Elliott said after finishing the Atlanta Classic on Saturday with six catches for 64 yards. "I'm real hard on myself." Elliott might have to beg Kershaw to give him more time in the passing game because he dropped three in FAMU's 31-12 win over Tennessee State. However, he was the second leading receiver behind Isaac West's 134 yards on a day that quarterback Curtis Pulley threw for a career-best 315 yards.
























FAMU WR Javares Knight fights for additonal yardage against TSU Tigers.

Preserving Atlanta Classic makes financial sense

ATLANTA — Ken Howard came early before a mid-afternoon downpour disrupted tailgating. He and his buddy Robert Mosby had to make the rounds. Always a lot of folks to meet and greet whenever they come to the Atlanta Football Classic. They don't know everybody who calls out their names in the tailgating crowd, but they respond. Been almost 30 years since they graduated from FAMU, where Howard was batter known as "White Man." They called Mosby "Big Dog," the names they heard a lot this weekend.

Howard is teaching music now and brings the message of what black college football meant to him as a younger man and what it still means. He still comes to these games, the high cost of driving from Fort Lauderdale notwithstanding. Reports of flooding in Atlanta weren't going to deter him, either. "It means a lot to us," he said, explaining why he spent $200 for tickets to share Saturday's experience. "I'm an educator and I tell my kids a lot of those black athletes played at FAMU." He doesn't have many to talk about right now, but maybe one day they'll be talking about the tandem of quarterback Curtis Pulley and receiver Isaac West who both had a career days in beating the Tigers 31-12.

Attendance: 51,950 at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA

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Southern Jaguars 21, Tennessee State Tigers 17

Southern University Coach Pete Richardson at expanded A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Fired up Jaguars defense

While Southern University’s offense found stiff competition Saturday night against Tennessee State, the Jaguars defense roughed up the visiting Tigers even more. After playing opponents from different levels of college football the first two weeks of the season, Southern found itself on even footing against Tennessee State, and the Jaguars defense made sure their offense had all the chances needed to pull out a 21-17 win. “Tonight, we played a team on our level, and we knew it would be a dogfight,” Southern defensive coordinator Terrence Graves said. “These guys stepped up and made big plays. This is a testament to them and things to come this season.”

Photos: Southern 21, TSU 17

Jaguars get intense victory

Saturday night in A.W. Mumford Stadium, the Southern football team played hard, if not always sound. Yet as the offense huddled with 6:30 remaining, then Jaguars needed to score against a tough Tennessee State defense. Otherwise, the Jaguars’ three-hour struggle was destined to become a loss. So, as they geared up for what would become their fourth-quarter game-winning drive in front of 12,247 fans, quarterback Bryant Lee gave his teammates a simple message: Play with one heartbeat. “It was really intense in there,” tailback Brian Threat said. “A lot of yelling like, ‘Hey, we’ve got to get it. We’ve got to get amped up.’ We all came together, got amped up and executed well.”

House answers call, stars at safety

Free safety Jason House and strong safety Demetric Rogers started for the second straight game Saturday in Southern’s 21-17 victory over Tennessee State, stepping in for regular starters Anthony Wells and Gary Chatman. Wells is recovering from two knee surgeries and a pulled hamstring, which he suffered during the first half of SU’s season-opening loss at Louisiana-Lafayette. On Saturday, he walked the sideline in his game jersey and jeans. Chatman, who sprained his right ankle in the ULL game, dressed out Saturday but did not play.

Too many 3-and-outs

Tennessee State quarterback Calvin McNairl didn’t want to come off the field without a score. Tennessee State’s defense had just denied Bryant Lee enough yardage for a first down on fourth-and-1 inside the red zone and it was time for his Tigers to go to work. At the time, TSU was ahead by three and a touchdown would have made it a two-score game. With 8:20 left to play, the Tigers took over at their 16-yard line. McNairl hoped this drive would be different from five others that ended with three-and-outs. The worst case scenario? The Tennessee State quarterback hoped for a field goal. What he got was two decent gains from Preston Brown. But on third-and-3, the Tigers went backward as Brown was stopped for a 2-yard loss.

Southern uses late rally to defeat TSU

BATON ROUGE, La. — Tennessee State allowed Southern to go on a late fourth-quarter drive that led to a 21-17 Tigers loss on Saturday night. "We just gave up some big plays. Our offense had the chance to get some first downs and run the clock out," Tennessee State Coach James Webster said. "We just didn't get it done." TSU, which scored just two offensive touchdowns in its first two games, managed 255 yards of offense and squandered two scoring chances inside the Southern 20. But the Tigers (1-2) took a 17-14 lead in the fourth quarter.

New TSU starter shows he's a leader

Now that he's the starting quarterback, Calvin McNairl is sending a message in more ways than one to Tennessee State's football team. Not only is the former Henry County star now talking about his ability to lead the Tigers, but he is also proving it on the field. He was the most valuable player in last week's 14-7 Southern Heritage Classic win over Jackson State and has carried himself with more resolve this week as TSU (1-1) prepared to visit Southern (1-1) at 6 tonight. "When Calvin first got here he wouldn't say, 'Boo,''' TSU Coach James Webster said. "But now he's talking. He's telling his offensive teammates where they need to be, what they need to do. The guys have responded and it's made a difference."

TSU's defense gets in groove

Tennessee State Coach James Webster hates to say I told you so, but…Webster did warn of the offensive struggles his team has experienced and told his defensive players to be prepared handle a heavier load. "I said that our defense was going to carry this football team until our offense could jell,'' Webster said. "I fully expected that." While the offense showed improvement in Saturday's 14-7 win over Jackson State, the defense is being counted on heavily as the Tigers (1-1) prepare for Saturday's game at Southern (1-1).

Attendance: 9,300 @ Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA.

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Tennessee State Tigers 14, Jackson State Tigers 7

TSU QB Calvin McNairl scores over hapless JSU.

Tennessee State's streak reaches 7 victories in Southern Heritage ...

MEMPHIS — The Jackson State football team went over 55 minutes without scoring a single point inside the Liberty Bowl on Saturday. But, amazingly, with seven seconds remaining on the clock, JSU still had a shot. That shot, from the arm of Dedric McDonald, fell harmlessly to the turf as Jackson State fell 14-7, its seventh straight loss to Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. "It had nothing to do with them, we just weren't clicking," JSU starting QB Mike Mosley said. "It's really frustrating, we're much better. I just don't know."

The day was horrid for a JSU offense that was starting its second quarterback in as many weeks. A third, McDonald, entered the game just before halftime after Mosley injured his shoulder. McDonald took his team to the brink, and was a dropped touchdown pass away from tying the game at 14 apiece. "I don't know," JSU coach Rick Comegy said when asked about the offense. "The film will tell us."

Photo Galleries: JSU - TSU

Win caps big week for TSU quarterback

Quarterback becomes a dad, is named MVP...
MEMPHIS — Calvin McNairl stood at midfield, holding his most valuable player trophy, after leading Tennessee State to a 14-7 win over Jackson State in the 20th Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday night. But when asked what had been the best part of his week, it was a tough decision for the Tigers sophomore quarterback. Earlier in the week, McNairl became the father of a baby girl. Then, he was named TSU's starting quarterback, replacing Dominic Grooms, who suffered a severe hamstring injury in last week's season opener.

Finally, in his first start since 2007, McNairl not only won the game, but also he was awarded the MVP trophy in front of the 43,306 who turned out at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. ''God works in mysterious ways,'' McNairl said. ''It's been a long week. This has been the best week ever. I can't explain how much this week means.'' TSU had to hold on at the end, as Jackson State reached the Tigers' 3 in the final seconds. McNairl rushed 14 times for 101 yards and a touchdown while completing four of 11 passes for 43 yards.

TSU turns to McNairl at quarterback

Tennessee State will turn to its third quarterback of the season Saturday, with Calvin McNairl stepping in as the starter against Jackson State at the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis. McNairl, a sophomore from Henry County, will replace Dominic Grooms, who started in Saturday's 24-7 loss to Alabama A&M and suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter.
Grooms was replaced by sophomore Jeremy Perry. McNairl started the last four games as a freshman in 2007 when Antonio Heffner was hurt. McNairl redshirted last year.

QB lifts Tennessee State over Jackson State in Southern Heritage Classic

Calvin McNairl stood at midfield, holding his Most Valuable Player trophy, after leading his Tennessee State team to a 14-7 victory over Jackson State in the 20th Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday night. But when asked what had been the best part of his week, it was a tough decision for the Tigers redshirt sophomore quarterback. Earlier last week, McNairl became the father of a baby girl. Then, he was named TSU's starting quarterback, replacing Dominic Grooms who suffered a severe hamstring in last week's season opener. Finally, in his first start, McNairl not only won the game, but was awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy in front of 43,306 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

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Alabama A&M 24, Tennessee State 7

A&M confidence high after romp

Bulldogs answer many preseason questions in 24-7 opening victory. Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones had questions about his football team he was hoping to answer in Saturday night's season opener against Tennessee State. How much had quarterback Kevin Atkins matured since last season? Could the Bulldogs get their running game - which was nonexistent last season - going again? Could A&M's defense regain the form it had in recent years before last season? Had the Bulldogs improved their special teams - particularly their kickoff coverage team - from a year ago?

A&M answered those questions with a resounding "yes" en route to a 24-7 win over Tennessee State. A&M answered those questions with a resounding "yes" en route to a 24-7 win over Tennessee State. "I was impressed with the way our kids responded to the challenge," Jones said Sunday. "The big challenge was playing in an NFL stadium. That could have been intimidating, but our guys rose to the challenge. We played well for the first time out."

TSU loses more than opening game

The news went from bad to worse for Tennessee State in its season opener Saturday night against Alabama A&M. First, it became obvious early that the Tigers have a long way to go to rebuild their depleted offense. Then, just as the offense started to show signs of life, quarterback Dominic Grooms was knocked out of the game. Alabama A&M coasted to a 24-7 win in the John Merritt Classic at LP Field before a crowd of 23,871.

The lopsided loss left the Tigers, who were coming off an 8-4 record in 2008, with more questions than before the game started. "I knew going in that our offense was going to take some time to jell," TSU Coach James Webster said. "We had nine new starters. I did expect us to perform better than what we did. And now losing our quarterback, that sets us back even further." Grooms suffered a severe hamstring pull and is out indefinitely.

Photo Gallery: TSU vs. Alabama A&M

TSU QB Jeremy Perry poor decision making earns the criticism of his coach, James Webster.

TSU coach criticizes backup quarterback's play

Tennessee State Coach James Webster did not sugarcoat his comments when asked to evaluate the performance by quarterback Jeremy Perry, who replaced injured starter Dominic Grooms in the Tigers' 24-7 loss to Alabama A&M. Two of Perry's first four passes were intercepted and he finished 10-of-30 for 136 yards and was sacked twice. He failed to get the offense in scoring position until late in the game and then, with the ball on Alabama A&M's 23, tossed four consecutive incomplete passes.

"The one thing we always say is to protect the football,'' Webster said. "If he protects the football we've got a chance to win. He threw two interceptions so he didn't protect the football. I thought he did some good things, but we've got to protect the football. We can't have turnovers."

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New coach is well-versed in TSU history

John Cooper was well-connected in the Kansas City area. He was a car dealer who had ties to the Kansas City Royals. He knew Frank White. He knew U L Washington. The Royals were his team. But his grandson, also named John Cooper, had a bond with him beyond baseball. They loved hoops, specifically NAIA hoops, and the conference has held its basketball championship in K.C. for all but eight years since 1937.

So they would go to Kemper Arena. Head to the national tournament every March and watch the best basketball few discussed on a national level. Back in the day, Tennessee State was certainly in the NAIA discussion. In 1957, TSU became the first all-black team to win an integrated college basketball national championship. The Tigers followed that up by winning in '58 and '59. Five players from those teams went on to play in the NBA.

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New TSU coach wants to turn up tempo

Style of offense will take full advantage of players' talents

Lots of players are quick to say they prefer fast-break basketball over a half-court attack. Tennessee State's men's team got to experience both styles last season. With Cy Alexander as coach, the Tigers relied on the slower, half-court style. After Alexander was fired Feb. 6 and assistant Mark Pittman took over on an interim basis, the Tigers kicked it into a much higher gear. After the change, a team that started 6-16 went on a tear, winning six of its last eight games.

Not surprisingly, several players said they hoped to stick with the faster pace, and with former Auburn assistant John Cooper taking over, they'll get their wish. "One of the things I noticed is that if you look at this team at the beginning of the year and then toward the end, they averaged almost 10 points more per game,'' the 40-year-old coach said during his first news conference Monday. "I've been able to watch a little bit of videotape and get a general feel for the players in the program and I think there are some that it will certainly help their style if we're able to get out in the open court and execute."

Cooper met the Nashville media for the first time since he was named Alexander's replacement Friday. Pittman was also among those considered for the job.

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Auburn assistant picked to coach TSU men's team

After having a positive impact on one group of Tigers this season, John Cooper hopes to carry that over. The longtime Auburn men's basketball assistant was announced Friday as the new head coach at Tennessee State. Cooper, 40, replaces Cy Alexander — who was fired in February after five-plus seasons at the TSU helm — and Mark Pittman, who guided the Ohio Valley Conference program on an interim basis following Alexander's departure.

"First of all, it is a lifelong dream and a lifelong journey," Cooper said in a statement. As associate head coach under Jeff Lebo, the Kansas City, Mo., native helped Auburn to an NIT quarterfinals berth and a 24-12 record, tying for the second-most single-season victories in the program's history.

"I am really enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity," he said. "My goal is to obviously be successful, but also to put a product on the court that Tennessee State University is proud of, and one that is successful both on and off the court. In the future, we want to be able to say that we competed for championships in the OVC and hopefully say that we have won championships." Prior to his arrival at Auburn in 2004, Cooper served as an assistant at Oregon, South Carolina and Fayetteville (N.C.) State. Cooper inherits a program that has not posted a winning season since the 1996-97 team was 15-13.

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Coach James Webster happy with Tennessee State class

Coach James Webster summed up Tennessee State's recruiting class in just four words.
"I like big guys,'' he said Wednesday after the Tigers signed 19 prospects, including nine big linemen, on the first day of the NCAA national signing period. The Tigers lost several linemen from last year's team, including three starters on offense.

Among the biggest offensive players were Deamarde Dean (6-foot-3, 350 pounds), who is originally from Memphis but played last season at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss.; Jonathan Martin (6-5, 320) from Carver High School in Columbus, Ga.; and James Lewter (6-3, 305) from Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. "Martin is a man right now,'' Webster said. "I think Dean is going to come in and contribute right away and we got Lewter out of D.C. who I think is an excellent player. I was really surprised we were able to go into D.C. and get him."

Lewter is a two-star prospect, according to Rivals.com, who also received offers from Howard and Grambling. TSU also signed Deonte Newsome, a 6-3, 300 pound, offensive lineman from Maplewood who was also offered a scholarship from Mississippi Valley State; and Tyson Kemp (6-2, 290) from Colonial High School in Orlando, Fla.

TSU signees

James Lewter…OL…6-3…305…Washington, DC…Ballou
Jonathan Martin…OL…6-5…320…Columbus, GA…Carver
Michael Murphy…DL…6-4…285…Lewisburg, TN…Marshall Cnty
Ronald Bright…LB…6-4…240…Sarasota, FL…Riverview
Devin Wilson…WR…6-3…190…Nashville, TN…Pope John Paul
Kyrie Harris…DL…6-3…260…McMinnville, TN…Warren Cnty
Calvin Roberts…WR…6-1…190…Nashville, TN…Whites Creek (Scottsdale CC)
David Van Dyke…DB…6-0…185…Miami, FL…Booker T. Washington
Tyson Kemp…OL…6-2…290…Orlando, FL…Colonial
Cory Hall…DL…6-4…280…Chattanooga, TN…Brainerd (Southwest CC)
Terrance Lewis…RB…6-4…235…East Dublin, GA…East Laurens
Teandre Fisher…WR…6-3…190…Nashville, TN…Stratford
George Pulley…LS…6-0…220…Nashville, TN…Hillsboro
Deamarde Dean…OL…6-3…350…Memphis, TN…Ridgeway (Coahoma CC)
Jeremy Pryor…WR…6-3…180…Memphis, TN…Whitehaven
Jarron Guthrie…LB…6-1…210…Nashville, TN…Hunters Lane
Deonte Newsome…OL…6-3…300…Nashville, TN…Maplewood
Donte’e Nicholls…DL…6-3…300…Pompano Beach, FL…Univ. of South Carolina
Toney Gurley…QB…6-1…180…Gurley, AL…Madison Cnty

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Rivalry is personal for TSU's Heffner

NO. 23 TSU (4-0) VS. FLA. A&M (2-1)
Where: Georgia Dome
Last meeting: FAMU 18, TSU 17 (2007)
Key matchup: FAMU RB Philip Sylvester vs. TSU DT Maurice Davis. Sylvester carried the ball 25 times for 131 yards in last year's game. Davis helped TSU hold Eastern Kentucky to 9 rushing yards last week and is tied as the Tigers' leading tackler among linemen with 13 total stops.
TV: Versus Sports Channel (LIVE nationally) -- Cable Systems, Dish Network and Direct TV
Time: 4:00 PM ET

Tennessee State quarterback Antonio Heffner made his way past a teammate being interviewed by a reporter earlier this week and offered a directive. "Talk about the team Cliff — it's all about the team,'' Heffner said to safety Eugene Clifford. This team is very special to Heffner. Just how special a team the Tigers are could be answered if they finally beat Florida A&M (2-1) at 3 p.m. today in the Atlanta Classic at the Georgia Dome.

TSU QB Antonio Heffner proposed to girlfriend after Southern Heritage Classic victory in Memphis on Sept. 13, 2008. She said "yes", and since he has the girl, he now plans to get first victory in his career against FAMU.

It has been a great start for the No. 23 Tigers (4-0), but today's test might be the stiffest they've faced so far. Playing before a large crowd that could be in excess of 50,000, TSU hopes to snap a six-year losing streak to an opponent Coach James Webster calls "our No. 1 rival." Heffner agrees. "Not only is this our No. 1 rival, (but) it's about the event, all the hype that comes along with this game,'' Heffner said. "We haven't beaten them in a long time and not since I've been here." More fanfare was added last week when the Versus cable sports network announced it would televise the game live nationally for the first time.

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