BOXTOROW National Game of the Week
4/4 Tennessee State (2-0) vs. 5/5 Bethune-Cookman (0-1)
When Tennessee State travels to Daytona Beach to take on Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, it will be a matchup of two of the best teams in HBCU football over the last five years.
While TSU plays in the OVC, typically all of its out of conference games are against HBCUs. The Tigers are 16-3 against HBCUs in the last six years including wins this season over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (44-0) and Jackson State 40-26 last Saturday in the annual Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis. The two schools have split its last two meetings, with B-CU winning 12-9 in a “bloodbath” in Nashville in 2013. Both teams went to the FCS Playoffs that year.
After Saturday’s game, the two teams will meet again in 2018 in TSU’s John Merritt Classic.
The Tigers have gotten out to their fast start behind the play of their offense. After missing three games last year due to injury, redshirt-sophomore Oshay Ackerman-Carter has completed 64 percent of his passes for 486 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. The running game has been solid as well, led by Erik Evans who has rushed for 152 yards, 5.2 yards per carry and three touchdowns. The offense as a whole has been really good, averaging 427.5 yards per game.
Defensively, the Tigers through two games are giving up just 197.5 yards per game. They shut out Arkansas-Pine Bluff 44-0, holding the Golden Lions to 168 yards of total offense. UAPB shocked Alcorn State defeating the Braves 45-43 in three overtimes Thursday, accumulating 559 yards against perennially one of the top defenses in the country. Defensive end Ebo Ogundeko has lived up to his season last year and his preseason billing, leading the team in tackles (17), tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (4.5).
It’s hard to get a read on the Wildcats so far. Their first game of the season – the MEAC/SWAC Challenge – was canceled due to severe weather. They played at FBS opponent North Texas last week and fell 41-20. The Wildcats only managed 231 yards of total offense and quarterback Larry Brihm completed 8-of-19 passes for 74 yards no touchdowns and one interception.
The Wildcats defense will have to try and slow the Tigers offense. Last week, B-CU gave up 450 yards to North Texas.