How freshman RB Brenton Paul led TSU football to its first win
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How freshman RB Brenton Paul led TSU football to its first win
Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean·The Tennessean
·
3 min read
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With theTennessee State footballoffense in desperate need of a star, freshman running back Brenton Paul stepped up andled the Tigersto their first win of the 2026 season on Sept. 19.
The win snaps TSU's eight-game losing streak, the longest inprogram history.
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Paul, a Denham Springs, Louisiana native, gave TSU its first hint of a running game this season, scoring three touchdowns, including the game-winner in a 29-26 victory overFlorida A&M(1-3) in front of 12,399 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. Paul also played a role in the passing game. Two of his TDs came on catches.
"For a true freshman, that's a tall task, doing it in the running game and passing game," TSU second-year coach Reggie Barlow said. "The protection part (doesn't) get talked about, but he's done it there as well. For me, watching him out there sometimes, I'm like, 'Let's get him a break because he is a freshman,' but he welcomes it."
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State practices at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State Coach Reggie Barlow runs practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
The Tennessee State defense heads for its next drill during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Byron McNair (10) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State practices at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State running back Zack Simmons-Brown stretches during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State players wait on the sideline for their chance to get onto the field during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterbacks Byron McNair (10) and Daylin Lee (11) take part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State Coach Reggie Barlow walks the field during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Byron McNair (10) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Justin Patton throws during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State drills during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State Coach Reggie Barlow throws a ball back into play during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Marcelis Tate (2) drops back to throw during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Justin Patton throws during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Tennessee State quarterback Marcelis Tate (2) looks to throw during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
2/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State practices at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
3/22
Reggie Barlow, Tennessee State Tigers football coach in second season
Tennessee State Coach Reggie Barlow runs practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
4/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
The Tennessee State defense heads for its next drill during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
5/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Byron McNair (10) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
6/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State practices at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
7/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State running back Zack Simmons-Brown stretches during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
8/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
9/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State players wait on the sideline for their chance to get onto the field during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
10/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterbacks Byron McNair (10) and Daylin Lee (11) take part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
11/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
12/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State Coach Reggie Barlow walks the field during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
13/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Byron McNair (10) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
14/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
15/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Justin Patton throws during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
16/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
17/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State drills during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
18/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State Coach Reggie Barlow throws a ball back into play during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
19/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Marcelis Tate (2) drops back to throw during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
20/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Daylin Lee (11) takes part in practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
21/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Justin Patton throws during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
22/22
Practice continues for TSU Tigers football season
Tennessee State quarterback Marcelis Tate (2) looks to throw during practice at the TSU football practice field Friday, July 31, 2026.
Paul had to carry an extra load with fellow running back Zack Simmons-Brown sidelined with an injury.
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How RB Brenton Paul finally got TSU's running game going
TSU (1-3) entered the game with one of the worst rushing attacks in the FCS, ranked 110th at 49 yards per game. The Tigers did not have a player rush for more than 40 yards in their first three games.
Paul finished with 92 yards on 26 carries and four catches for 36 yards. His first touchdown, a 4-yard catch, tied the game at 7-7. His second, a 1-yard run, put TSU up 13-7. His last was a 20-yard catch with 51 seconds remaining for the final score.
His ability to run the ball also helped the offense enjoy its most productive game of the season since theRattlers' defense could not focus solely on the pass.
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TSU finished with 390 total yards, the offense's best performance in Barlow's two-year tenure. With Paul chipping away on the ground, TSU also won the battle for time of possession by more than 12 minutes. Quarterback Daylin Lee helped balance the attack, completing 18-for-27 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
"It makes a big difference on offense when you're able to run the ball," Barlow said. "It changes what the defense can do."
TSU avoids worst start in five years
TSU avoided its worst start since 2022, when the Tigers, in their second year under former coach Eddie George, went 0-4.
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TSU has an open week on Sept. 26 before returning to action on Oct. 3 at Western Illinois in its first Ohio Valley Conference game.
"I didn't bring it up as much to the players, but the bye week coming up was something I definitely had in my head," Barlow said. "With how our conference was set up, you get these preseason games, then you get the chance to get a little break. We can use that time to get healthy and then go into your conference games. It helps a lot to go into that break coming off a win."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
