1982 Tennessee State Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1982 Tennessee State Tigers football Independent 10–1–1 John Merritt 20th Hale StadiumDudley Field Black college national champion NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal L 7–13 vs. Eastern Kentucky The 1982 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as an independent during the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 20th-year head coach John Merritt, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 10–1–1. At the conclusion of the season, the Tigers were also recognized as black college national champion. Schedule 1982 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee September 11 w Jackson State Dudley Field Nashville, TN 21–0 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122469783/tsu-blanks-jackson-state/ TSU blanks Jackson State The Tennessean September 12, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com September 18 w y 1982 Central State Marauders Central State (OH) McPherson Stadium Wilberforce, OH 34–0 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470181/tsu-trims-central-340/ TSU trims Central, 34–0 Dayton Daily News September 19, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com September 25 t y Texas Southern Robertson Stadium Houston, TX 20–20 8,121 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470477/texas-southern-gains-2020-tie/ Texas Southern gains 20–20 tie Victoria Advocate September 26, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 2 w y Alabama State Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL 42–0 11,200 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122474662/kinnebrew-sparks-tennessee-state-win/ Kinnebrew Sparks Tennessee State win The Commercial Appeal October 3, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 9 w y 18 Grambling State 2 Grambling Stadium Grambling, LA 22–8 18,522 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121181170/tsu-squeezes-by-grambling/ The Tennessean TSU squeezes by Grambling October 10, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 16 w 6 Chattanooga 15 Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 27–21 18,200 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122475085/kinnebrews-4-tds-pace-big-blue/ Kinnebrew's 4 TDs pace Big Blue The Commercial Appeal October 17, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 23 w T–5 Bethune–Cookman Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 41–11 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122475527/tsu-bombs-bethunecookman/ TSU bombs Bethune–Cookman The Tennessean October 24, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 30 w 3 y Southern Dudley Field Nashville, TN 28–21 37,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122475759/tennessee-state-edges-jags/ Tennessee State edges Jags The Daily Advertiser October 31, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com November 13 w y 3 Mississippi Valley State Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Bluff City Classic 63–41 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122476109/tsu-captures-battle-of-big-plays/ TSU captures battle of big plays The Commercial Appeal November 14, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com November 20 w 3 North Carolina A&T Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 34–6 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122476330/tennessee-state-34-nc-at-6/ Tennessee State 34, N.C. A&T 6 The Charlotte Observer November 21, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com December 4 w 4 Eastern Illinois 5 Hale Stadium Nashville, TN NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal 20–19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122476568/easterns-playoff-hopes-come-to-a-soggy/ Eastern's playoff hopes come to a soggy end Chicago Tribune December 5, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com December 11 l y 4 Eastern Kentucky 1 Hanger Field Richmond, KY NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal 7–13 7,338 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122476830/eastern-advances-with-137-victory-over/ Eastern advances with 13–7 victory over TSU The Daily News-Journal December 12, 1982 April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com NCAA Statistics; Schedule & Results (Tennessee State) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/132775 National Collegiate Athletic Association November 8, 2024 References Tennessee State Category:Tennessee State Tigers football seasons Category:Black college football national champions Tennessee State Tigers football Category:1980s in Nashville, Tennessee Tennessee State