November 22, 2025 — Tennessee State dropped a heartbreaking 7-6 decision to Charleston Southern at Buccaneer Field, remaining winless in conference play as the Tigers failed to reach the end zone for a second consecutive game.
Kicker Freddy Perez gave Tennessee State a 3-0 lead with a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter, but Charleston Southern answered with the game’s only touchdown. Quarterback Zolten Osborne connected with Quay Kindell on a 56-yard scoring strike with 2:59 remaining in the half, giving the Buccaneers a 7-3 advantage.
McNair Unable to Find End Zone
Byron McNair completed 17 of 31 passes for 155 yards but could not generate a touchdown. The Tigers’ offense managed just 285 total yards and converted only three of 14 third-down attempts.
| Quarterback | Comp-Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byron McNair (TSU) | 17-31 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Zolten Osborne (CSU) | 8-19 | 145 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Perez connected on his second field goal from 39 yards in the third quarter, pulling Tennessee State within 7-6, but the Tigers could get no closer.
Ground Game Provides Lone Bright Spot
Kendric Rhymes rushed for 70 yards on 12 carries while Zack Simmons-Brown added 60 yards on eight attempts, providing the Tigers’ most consistent offensive production.
| Running Back | Attempts | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kendric Rhymes (TSU) | 12 | 70 | 5.8 | 23 | 0 |
| Zack Simmons-Brown (TSU) | 8 | 60 | 7.5 | 28 | 0 |
| Ke’Marion Baldwin (CSU) | 21 | 114 | 5.4 | 21 | 0 |
| Hakeem Watters (CSU) | 10 | 82 | 8.2 | 15 | 0 |
A costly fumble by DeVaughn Slaughter in the second quarter halted a promising drive, while a blocked punt in the final seconds of the half prevented any chance of retaking the lead. A fourth-quarter pass interference penalty wiped out an apparent 58-yard touchdown catch by Justin Hughes, ending Tennessee State’s best scoring opportunity.
The defeat dropped Tennessee State to 2-10 overall and 0-8 in conference play as the Tigers’ difficult season continues.
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