Tennessee State football vs. Western Illinois live updates, game time, TV
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Tennessee State football vs. Western Illinois live updates, game time, TV
Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean·The Tennessean
·
2 min read
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Tennessee Statefootball will attempt to win back-to-back games for the first time since the 2024 season when the Tigers visit Western Illinois on Oct. 3 (3 p.m. CT, ESPN+).
TSU (1-3)is coming offits first win of the 2026 season, a 29-26 victory at Florida A&M on Sept. 19.Western Illinois(2-3) is coming off a 23-20 loss at North Alabama.
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It is theOhio Valley Conferenceopener for both teams. Western Illinois defeated TSU 17-16 at Nissan Stadium in 2025 in a game that started an eight-game losing streak for the Tigers. They led 16-14 before Western Illinois rallied with a 51-yard field goal with 47 seconds left to play.
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.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Western Illinois has the best scoring offense in the OVC (32.6 points) and TSU has the worst (14.8). TSU went eight consecutive quarters without scoring a touchdown before crossing the goal line in the first quarter against Florida A&M to tie the score at 7-all.
Tennessee State's offense finally showed signs of life against Florida A&M. The Tigers were able to run the ball with consistency for the first time this season, and threw it well after the passing game had been shut down in the prior two games. Western Illinois has put up some gaudy numbers against inferior teams.
Tennessee State 21, Western Illinois 17
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or at @MikeOrganWriter.com on X.
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