Nashville, TN – We attribute seeing North Dakota State at Tennessee somewhat to “budget.” Collegefootballfan.com cannot afford travel, stayovers and high-cost tickets (nice to no longer pay for those outrageous Ticket Master fees!) every college football weekend. So, this week we stay close to home – Nissan Stadium. Half-hour drive, no hotel, home for dinner, catch some games on TV in the evening.
On the other hand, once again we get to see perennial FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) powerhouse, North Dakota State, in action. In case your football focus fixates only on the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) or only on the NFL, NDSU has won the FCS championship ten times since 2011. Last season under first-year HC Tim Polasek, the Bison (14-2) defeated Montana State, 35-32, for its latest championship. They may win Number 11 in 2025.
Tennessee State Tigers on the prowl
Lass season under HC and former Heisman Trophy Winner Eddie George, the Tigers enjoyed their best record in years. They finished 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference. TSU won their first conference title since 1999. They made the FCS playoffs, but they fell in the first round to Montana, 41-27. Success turned out to be somewhat detrimental for the Tigers. HC Eddie George gained national attention. With it, he took a new job to lead the program at Bowling Green State in the Mid-American Conference. He also took key assistants from his Tennessee State staff and some starting defenders.
The Tennessee State Tigers start their new season under first-year HC Reggie Barlow on August 30 in Nashville versus North Carolian A&T. He’s proven himself as a winning HC with the UFL’s D.C Defenders, at D-2 Virginia State and at his alma mater, Alabama State. In 1996, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the fourth round of the NFL draft. During his career as wide receiver and punt returner, he played for the Jaguars, the Raiders, and the Buccaneers. He led the league in punt return yardage in 1998 and played with the Buccaneers in the 2002 Super Bowl. Barlow leads a coaching staff with an array of great experience. They came with him from the UFL and from other successful college and pro coaching staffs.
Bison and Tigers both 1-1 in our history
In 2019, we got our first glance ever at the North Dakota State program. With Freshman Trey Lance at QB and OT Dillon Radunz, now of the Titans, among the Bison, they defeated the Fighting Blue Hens of Delaware on the road, 47-22. Former NDSU QB Cason Wentz, then of the Philadelphia Eagles, who led the Bison to two consecutive FCS titles, roamed the North Dakota State sideline that day.
Strategic move on our part
After moving to Tennessee, we scheduled the Tennessee Tigers to see what first-year HC Eddie George was doing with that program. The former Ohio State and Tennessee Titan RB took over a program with nine wins during the previous three seasons. With a record of 1-3, we saw hm take his Tigers to Austin Peay in Clarksville, TN. There, we watched his team win a tight one, 24-22.
In that inaugural season, the Tigers won five games. They followed the next three seasons with four, six and nine victories proving George could truly build a football program. And so, George’s move to Bowling Green ensues. With his move up to the FBS and with the hire of Reggie Barlow by TSU, both BGSU and Tennessee State look like they both hired good program builders for their futures.
North Dakota State loaded for Tigers and other FCS beasts in 2025
With the exception of their quarterback returning in 2025, the Bison load up. Nineteen players who accumulated 200 plays each under their collegiate belts return. Another championship looms for the team in Fargo, ND. Last year’s QB, Cam Miller, now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders who selected him as the 215th pick. He led the Bison to two FCS championships as did Carson Wentz. The program in Fargo seems ready to do the same for whoever replaces Miller. Cole Payton, last year’s back-up ran for 1,100 yards and 18 TDs. How well he can pass consistently remains to be seen. Among 58 passing attempts, he accumulated 469 yards, five TDs and two INTs. Nathan Hayes looms as his back-up. With talent around him, Payton has plenty of support to improve his numbers.
Among the experienced talent, WR Bryce Lance (brother of Trey) returns with All-Conference status. Last year, he caught 17 TD passes. Three other receivers remain on board with over 250 plays each from a season ago. The transfer portal took their best RB from last season to Miami. They supposedly pay very well there. Stepping up comes Barika Kpeenu who rushed for 725 yards and seven TD. Not bad for a number two rusher in any program. Others line up behind him looking to improve with more experience.
Bison defense fills few holes
The North Dakota State defensive front returns DT Jaxon Duttenheffer and Keenan Wilson at DE who will see much more action in 2025. The Bison welcome Jack Iuliano who starred at UAlbany the last three seasons. LB Logan Kopp earned an All-Missouri Valley Conference honor for the second consecutive season. 2024 non-starters Austin Altepeter and Donovan Wollen figure to play bigger roles alongside him. Their secondary remains solid. CBs Jailen Duffie and Anthony Chedime-Alfaro return after starting as freshman. JMU transfer Antoine Booth II and Jaquise Alexander (All MVFC Newcomer Team) will challenge for more playing time. Safeties Darius Givance excelled, and Jaylin Crumby earned MVFC All-Newcomer Honors as a freshman. The Bison defense should be formidable with much more experience.
Tennessee State Tigers rebuild
HC Reggie Barlow’s team has talent, but it seems he will be redeveloping depth lost after the program’s 2024 success. In a pre-season poll of the OVC-Big South Football Association Head Coaches, they selected the Tigers to place eighth in the nine-team conference. Six players made the Association’s Preseason Watch List. As noted in their stats, they indicate great anticipated potential among these returnees.
WR Delanie “Juice” Majors totaled 15 catches for 149 yards and a TD last year. TE Jason Hoath, Jr. earned a reputation as an effective blocker and caught nine passes for 86 yards. OL Anthony Smith brings leadership with his physical style of play to lead the offense. LB Sammy Taylor returns with 15 solo tackles to his credit. DB Camani Cobbs made the Watch List for great coverage capability and physical defensive play. Punter Mark Shenouda places kicks inside the 20 often enough to make an impression on the selection committee. Positions of QB, RB and defensive line require some development.
North Dakota State looks for repeat
Though Collegefootballfan.com prefers to attend very competitive games, this one looks not to be one of them. Last season in Fargo, despite an improved Tiger Team, the Bison trampled them, 56-3. We hope the Tigers will give them some battle. However, the Bison roster reloaded with experience looks like an overwhelming favorite once again. We look forward to staying close to home to save some money. However, we look forward to seeing the Bison play their typical style of great football. We envision this being our preview of a team that will return to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on January 6. NDSU may come back to defend the 2024 national title from the second-best team in the FCS, whoever that may be.
Regarding Tennessee State, it’ll be a tough game during a rebuilding season. For us, according to our friend, Al Tatum, who will be joining us once again, the TSU Tigers have a great marching band. We look forward to watching their performance! Hopefully, before we see them play at half time, we’ll see some fight put up by the Tiger football team. Tough game ahead though, no doubt.
And don’t forget…
Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!
Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.
