1979 Tennessee State Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1979 Tennessee State Tigers football Independent 8–3 John Merritt 17th Hale Stadium Black college national champion The 1979 Tennessee State Tigers football team were an American college football team which represented Tennessee State University as an independent during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 17th-year head coach John Merritt, the Tigers compiled a record of 8–3. Schedule 1979 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee September 8 l y Jackson State Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS 21–27 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122404081/jackson-st-wins-psychological-warfare/ The Clarion-Ledger Jackson St. wins psychological warfare, 27–21 September 9, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com September 15 l Southern Illinois Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 16–18 13,388 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122404215/southern-wins-1816/ Herald and Review Southern wins 18–16 September 16, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com September 22 w y Texas Southern Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN 21–3 19,805 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122404454/big-blue-ends-longest-streak/ The Commercial Appeal Big Blue ends 'longest' streak September 23, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com September 29 w 1979 Central State Marauders Central State (OH) Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 40–8 8,200 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122404668/tennessee-st-tramples-csu/ Dayton Daily News Tennessee St. tramples CSU September 30, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 6 w Grambling State 5 Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 24–13 16,200 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121164051/tsu-bounces-grambling/ The Tennessean TSU bounces Grambling October 7, 1979 March 18, 2023 Newspapers.com October 20 w Florida A&M 1 Dudley Field Nashville, TN 20–3 34,694 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122404851/tsu-runs-over-rattlers-20-to-3/ The Tennessean TSU 'runs over' Rattlers 20 to 3 October 21, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 27 w y Southern University Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 17–6 20,437 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122404974/southern-drops-176-encounter/ The Daily Advertiser Southern drops 17–6 encounter October 28, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 3 w y North Carolina A&T World War Memorial Stadium Greensboro, NC 37–14 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122405103/tennessee-state-37-nc-at-14/ The Charlotte Observer Tennessee State 37, N.C. A&T 14 November 4, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 9 l y UNLV Las Vegas Silver Bowl Whitney, NV 28–36 26,431 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122405301/nevadalas-vegas-tops-tsu/ The Tennessean Nevada–Las Vegas tops TSU November 10, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 17 w y 1979 Kentucky State Thorobreds Kentucky State Alumni Field Frankfort, KY 26–13 5,200 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122405420/punt-return-dooms-kentucky-state/ The Courier-Journal Punt return dooms Kentucky State November 18, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 22 w Cal Poly Pomona Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 71–3 5,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122405577/tsu-carves-up-pomona-713/ The Tennessean TSU carves up Pomona, 71–3 November 23, 1979 April 6, 2023 Newspapers.com References Tennessee State Category:Tennessee State Tigers football seasons Category:Black college football national champions Tennessee State Tigers football Category:1970s in Nashville, Tennessee