Tennessee State’s all-time records against FBS programs
Notre Dame has announced that its 2023 home opener will be played against Tennessee State, a Historically Black College and University. On the surface, it’s a great opportunity for a lesser-known program to receive national exposure. However, it also will be the first time the Irish have played a Football Championship Subdivision opponent. The reaction to this news within the fan base mostly has been lukewarm at best and outright negative at worst.
Notre Dame presently is the only Football Bowl Subdivision opponent the Tigers have scheduled for the future. That makes the decision either more of a headscratcher from the Irish’s point of view or it merely makes the Irish an outlier. Either way, the Tigers don’t get to play FBS schools very much, so you better believe they will be hyped for the opportunity. In the spirit of that, let’s take a look at how they have done against teams from college football’s top level:
Air Force
Sep 6, 2014; Laramie, WY, USA; Air Force Falcons helmet during game against the Wyoming Cowboys at War Memorial Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Falcons 17-13. Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Air Force leads, 1-0.
Only meeting: Sept. 24, 2011 – Air Force 63, Tennessee State 24
Appalachian State
Sep 2, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers helmet during the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Bank of America Stadium. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Appalachian State leads, 1-0.
Only meeting: Nov. 28, 1998 – Appalachian State 45, Tennessee State 31
Ball State
Sep 18, 2021; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; A general view of a Ball State Cardinals helmet during game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Tied, 0-0-1.
Only meeting: Dec. 11, 1965 in Grantland Rice Bowl – Tennessee State 14, Ball State 14
Georgia State
Sep 17, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; A Georgia State Panthers helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 23-17. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Tennessee State leads, 1-0.
Only meeting: Aug. 31, 2017 – Tennessee State 17, Georgia State 10
Jacksonville State (joining FBS in 2023)
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Jacksonville State leads, 13-2.
Last meeting: March 7, 2021 – Jacksonville State 38, Tennessee State 16
Louisville
Sep 6, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detailed view of a Louisville Cardinals helmet on the field before a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Tennessee State leads, 2-0.
Last meeting: Nov. 10, 1984 – Tennessee State 24, Louisville 15
Middle Tennessee State
A Middle Tennessee helmet sits on the sideline in the first half of an NCAA college football game between Middle Tennessee and Duke Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Series: Middle Tennessee State leads, 11-9.
Last meeting: Sept. 7, 2019 – Middle Tennessee State 45, Tennessee State 26
Mississippi State
Mississippi State linebacker DeShawn Page (16) tries to tackle Tennessee State quarterback Deveon Bryant (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 55-10. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Series: Mississippi State leads, 1-0.
Only meeting: Nov. 20, 2021 – Mississippi State 55, Tennessee State 10
Nevada
A Nevada Wolf Pack football helmet on display at Friday’s conference announcing Ken Wilson as the new football coach.
Series: Nevada leads, 1-0.
Only meeting: Dec. 6, 1986 in national quarterfinals – Nevada 33, Tennessee State 6
San Diego State
Sep 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; A new San Diego State Aztecs helmet featuring the Aztec calendar before the game against the San Diego Toreros at Qualcomm Stadium. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Series: San Diego State leads, 1-0-1.
Last meeting: Nov. 23, 1968 – Tennessee State 13, San Diego State 13
UNLV
Nov 28, 2015; Laramie, WY, USA; A general view of the UNLV Rebels helmet against the Wyoming Cowboys at War Memorial Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Rebels 35-28. Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Series: UNLV leads, 1-0.
Only meeting: Nov. 10, 1979 – UNLV 36, Tennessee State 28
Vanderbilt
Sep 29, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee State Tigers quarterback Demry Croft (7) is forced out of the pocket during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Vanderbilt leads, 3-0.
Last meeting: Sept. 29, 2018 – Vanderbilt 31, Tennessee State 27
Western Kentucky
Nov 27, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; A Western Kentucky Hilltoppers helmet at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Series: Tied, 2-2.
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2000 – Western Kentucky 52, Tennessee State 14
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