Alabama A&M Edges Tennessee State in Legacy Series Opener, 23-21

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the highly anticipated kickoff to the Legacy Series, Alabama A&M made just enough plays down the stretch to hold off Tennessee State, pulling out a 23-21 win Saturday night at Nissan Stadium. The Bulldogs (2-1) leaned on the arm of quarterback Cornelious Brown, who threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns, and the steady leg of kicker Victor Barbosa, whose three field goals—including a clutch 45-yarder in the third quarter—proved to be the difference. Tennessee State (1-2) had its best stretch in the second quarter, erupting for 21 points behind the versatile play of Kendric Rhymes, who found the end zone on the ground and sparked the Tigers’ offense with timely runs and receptions. But after halftime, the Tigers went silent. Alabama A&M’s defense tightened, holding TSU scoreless over the final two quarters. The game’s defining moment came in the closing minutes. With TSU driving for a potential go-ahead score, Bulldogs linebacker Wyatt Wright broke through for a strip-sack on quarterback Byron McNair. Defensive lineman Xzavier Booker pounced on the fumble, allowing A&M to run out the clock and secure the hard-fought victory. “We knew it would come down to execution and toughness in the second half,” A&M head coach Connell Maynor said postgame. “Our guys responded, and Victor [Barbosa] came up huge.”

The win extends Alabama A&M’s all-time dominance over Tennessee State, moving the Bulldogs to 6-0-1 in the series. It also gives them the early bragging rights in the Legacy Series, which will feature annual matchups between the two programs through 2028.

For Tennessee State, the loss was a bitter one after controlling much of the first half. Head coach Eddie George acknowledged his team’s struggles in closing. “We can’t leave points on the field and expect to beat good football teams,” George said. “We had opportunities, but we didn’t finish.” Alabama A&M now turns its focus to conference play, while Tennessee State looks to regroup and find consistency on both sides of the ball as the season progresses.