The Tennessee State football team took down Gardner-Webb 27-25 in the John Merritt Classic on Saturday evening for their first Big South-OVC win of the year.
The Tigers improved to 2-1 on the year and 1-0 in Big South-OVC Conference play, while the Runnin’ Bulldogs fell to 1-2 and 0-1.
Jalen Rouse totaled 53 yards to lead the Tigers’ ground attack and added one touchdown in the game. Deveon Bryant also tacked on 53 yards and one touchdown on the ground, picking up 7.6 yards per carry.
Da’Shon Davis pulled in three catches for 64 yards and one score. Karate Brenson made his presence felt in the passing game, recording six receptions for 51 yards.
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— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) September 17, 2023
Cameron Stewart paced the Tennessee State defensive effort, recording one sack and one forced fumble.
Defensively, Tennessee State held up fairly well against the Gardner-Webb rushing attack, holding the Bulldogs to 145 yards on the ground.
After falling behind 7-0, Tennessee State fired back with a touchdown with 2:16 remaining in the first quarter to tie it at 7-7 as Bryant took one 24 yards to the house. Gardner-Webb scored to go ahead 14-7 before the Tigers responded with a score of their own to tie things up at 14-14 as Draylen Ellis found Da’Shon Davis on a 55-yard TD pass.
Gardner-Webb then grabbed a 17-14 lead, but Tennessee State got on the scoreboard again at the 6:40 left mark in the third quarter with a seven-yard touchdown run from Jalen Rouse to jump back in front 21-17. The Tigers continued to add to their lead after Gardner-Webb closed the gap to 21-19, scoring again to go up 24-19 as Lowery connected on a 49-yard FG.
After a 16-yard passing TD from GWU to go up 25-24, the Tigers, led by kicker James Lowery would tack on three more points with 12 seconds left as he connected on a career-long 50-yard FG to give TSU the win.
Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics
