1973 Tennessee State Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1973 Tennessee State Tigers football Independent 10–0 John Merritt 11th Hale Stadium Black college football national champion AP small college national champion UPI small college national champion The 1973 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as an independent during the 1973 NCAA Division II football season. In their 11th season, under head coach John Merritt, the Tigers compiled a 10–0 record and outscored all opponents by a total of 333 to 87. The team was also recognized as the 1973 black college national champion, and was ranked No. 1 in the final small college rankings issued by both the Associated Press and the United Press International. Tennessee State did not compete in the playoffs "because five of its starters would not be eligible to play."https://www.newspapers.com/image/162695961/?terms=ineligible 5 Ineligible So Tennessee State Quits Playoff Ray Finocchiaro subscription The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware newspapers.com November 15, 1973 February 28, 2017 The players in question had sat out their freshman year ("redshirt") and then played four seasons; under NCAA rules at the time, such players were not eligible for postseason play as fifth-year seniors. Schedule 1973 small college AP y y y September 8 vs. Middle Tennessee Dudley Field Nashville, TN W 23-0 22,000–27,000 Hanna Jeff TSU Defenders Blank Blue Raiders https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94467143/the-tennessean/ The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee September 9, 1973 1D February 7, 2022 Newspapers.com Hanna Jeff TSU Defenders (continued) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94467374/the-tennessean/ The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee September 9, 1973 7D February 7, 2022 Newspapers.com September 15 at 1973 Alabama A&M Bulldogs Alabama A&M Milton Frank Stadium Huntsville, AL W 54-21 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122406004/tsu-romps-5421-after-gilliam-talk/ The Tennessean TSU romps 54–21 after Gilliam talk September 16, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com September 22 at Texas Southern 3 Jeppesen Stadium Houston, TX W 23-20 15,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122406217/tsu-in-squeaker/ The Tennessean TSU in squeaker September 23, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 6 No. 2 Grambling 7 Hale Stadium Nashville, TN W 19-13 16,000–16,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121603535/scripting-perfest-for-merritt-tsu/ The Tennessean Scripting perfest for Merritt, TSU October 7, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com College-Division Cumulative Football Statistics Report (1973 Grambling) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/261/stats/13634 National Collegiate Athletic Association November 19, 2022 October 13 at 1973 Virginia State Trojans Virginia State 2 Rogers Stadium Ettrick, VA W 24-6 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122406394/tigers-late-surge-fells-trojans-246/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Tigers' late surge fells Trojans, 24–6 October 14, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 20 Florida A&M 2 Dudley Field Nashville, TN W 45-0 27,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122406605/florida-am-falls-450/ Fort Lauderdale News Florida A&M falls, 45–0 October 21, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 27 at Southern 1 University Stadium Baton Rouge, LA W 21-6 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122406775/southern-falls-216/ Daily World Southern falls, 21–6 October 28, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 3 Chattanooga 1 Chamberlain Field Chattanooga, TN W 44-7 11,524 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85352596/bryant-tsu-feast-on-utchattanooga/ The Tennessean Bryant, TSU feast on UT–Chattanooga November 4, 1973 September 14, 2021 Newspapers.com November 10 1973 Central State Marauders Central State (OH) 1 Hale Stadium Nashville, TN W 45-7 11,700 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122406927/marauders-falls-to-number-one/ Dayton Daily News Marauders falls to number one November 11, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 17 1973 Alabama State Hornets Alabama State 1 Hale Stadium Nashville, TN W 35-7 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122407026/tenn-state-pounds-alabama-st/ The Montgomery Advertiser Tenn. State pounds Alabama St. November 18, 1973 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com Final 1973 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Tennessee State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/691/stats/13634 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 11, 2022 References Tennessee State Category:Tennessee State Tigers football seasons Category:NCAA Small College Football Champions Category:Black college football national champions Category:College football undefeated seasons Tennessee State Tigers football Category:1970s in Nashville, Tennessee