Reggie Barlow’s rebuilding of the Tennessee State University football team will face a massive test in just his second game as head coach.
The Tigers (1-0) on Saturday will play host to defending FCS champion North Dakota St. (1-0), which just so happens to be ranked No. 1 again this season after walloping The Citadel 38-0 last weekend.
The Bison have won 10 FCS national titles in the past 14 seasons, including eight out of nine during one stretch from 2011-2019.
In 2024, a year that saw Tennessee State post its best record (9-4) in over a decade, North Dakota State crushed the Tigers 52-3 in Fargo.
The game Saturday will be the second half of a home-and-home series, one that previous coach Eddie George helped facilitate. George left TSU in March to become Bowling Green’s new head coach.
“I didn’t have anything to do with scheduling this game, but for me, whoever is on the schedule we will play,” Barlow told reporters. “This is a game we definitely are excited about. I know our young men know that if you’re the best you’ve got to play against the best.”
George’s decision to take the Bowling Green job led to huge departures for the Tigers, as 46 Tennessee State players entered the NCAA’s transfer portal.
Hired in late March, Barlow did his best to re-stock the roster, adding 25 transfer commitments.
A number of those players excelled for the Tigers in their 24-21 win in Week 1 over North Carolina A&T.
Running back Kendric Rhymes was the headliner, as the former Southern University standout carried 21 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring runs of 60 and 51 yards.
Defensive back Syncere Safeeullah, a Hillsboro High School alum who transferred to TSU from Nebraska, totaled three tackles and two recovered fumbles.
Linebacker James Stewart, a Brentwood Academy alum who’s played at both Memphis and Middle Tennessee State, was named defensive player of the game after recording six tackles and a sack.
North Dakota State will represent a big step up for the Tigers, as last week’s opponent, North Carolina A&T, finished just 1-11 last year.
“If you want a chance to go to the NFL, when a scout comes in here, this is probably the first game they’re going to look at,” Barlow said. “Our guys know that. They know they need to be at their best since they’re getting this opportunity.”
