Defending Co – OVC Big South champion Tennessee State University football will officially commence its 2025 schedule, an exciting slate of matchups, with the annual John Merritt Classic (JMC), followed by the Legacy Series, with a total of eight home games in Nissan Stadium. The team looks to build on the success of the 2024 season when the Tigers went 9-4 (6-2) reaching the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2013 and claimed their first conference title since 1999 under then head coach Eddie George.
The first year of the Reggie Barlow era kicks off on Saturday, August 30, with the prestigious John Ayers Merritt Classic, as TSU hosts the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&T) Aggies. The Tigers hold a 19 – 6 – 1 record against the Aggies, making their JMC debut. This will not be the first “classic” battle between the foes, with the Aggies holding a 3 – 2 edge. This matchup has previously been featured in the Capitol Classic, Riverfront Classic and the Circle City Classic (CCC). TSU won the most recent meeting 37 – 7 in the 2010 CCC in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Field.
Week 2 pits the Tigers in a challenging matchup against 2025 FCS national champion North Dakota State on September 6. The Bison defeated TSU last season in Fargo.
The highly anticipated Legacy Series has TSU at home for the third straight game for the first time since the 1978 season on September 13. Alabama A&M treks up I–65 to face the Tigers in the first of a four – year series. The Tigers and Bulldogs share a storied rivalry, with TSU leading the all-time series 21 – 8 since their first meeting in 1930. Their last matchup was in 2010, with TSU claiming a 27 – 14 victory.
Following a bye week, TSU opens conference play at home September 27 against Tennessee Tech. The Tigers finally hit the road for games at Eastern Illinois October 4, and Southeast Missouri October 11.
The 2025 TSU Homecoming will see the Howard Bison stampede into Nashville. Last year a sea of the Big Blue cascaded down onto Washington, D.C., for Howard’s Homecoming. The Tigers and Bison will conclude this historic “homecoming and homecoming” two – game series on October 18.
The Tiger home stand continues the following weekend, with Western Illinois visiting on October 25, and Lindenwood coming in on November 1. The Tigers will then travel to UT – Martin on November 8. TSU will play its final home game of the regular season against Gardner-Webb on November 15 for Senior Day. They close out the season on the road at Charleston Southern on November 22. The city of Nashville and the Ohio Valley Conference will host the 2026 and 2027 Division I Football Championship games. The first will be played at FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University January 5, 2026.
For more information on Tennessee State football, including ticket sales and game promotions, visit TSUTigers.com or follow @TSUTigersFB on social media.
MEET THE 2025 ARISTOCRAT OF BANDS THIS WEEKEND
Join fans and family of the world-renowned TSU Aristocrat of Bands marching band at their Fan Day on Saturday, August 23, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Practice Field on campus. The FREE event features live music, meet & greet with Director James Sexton and the band staff, plus photo ops you won’t want to miss. Come get up close and personal with these magnificent student-athlete musicians and dancers. Bring your lawn chair and come jam with the AoB!
