1983 Tennessee State Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1983 Tennessee State Tigers football Independent 8–2–1 John Merritt 21st Hale StadiumVanderbilt Stadium Black college national champion The 1983 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as an independent during the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 21st-year head coach John Merritt, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 8–2–1. At the conclusion of the season, the Tigers were also recognized as black college national champion. Schedule 1983 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee September 3 w 1983 Hampton Pirates Hampton Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 20–14 14,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122494471/hi-defeated-2014/ HI defeated 20–14 Daily Press September 4, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com September 10 l y Jackson State Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS 31–35 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122494585/jackson-state-takes-wild-3531-victory/ Jackson State takes wild 35–31 victory The Clarion-Ledger September 11, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com September 17 w y 1983 Alabama A&M Bulldogs Alabama A&M Milton Frank Stadium Huntsville, AL 40–28 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122494656/late-tennessee-state-surge-nets-4028-vi/ Late Tennessee State surge nets 40–28 victory The Tennessean September 18, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com September 24 w y 16 Florida A&M Bragg Memorial Stadium Tallahassee, FL 23–13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122494739/famu-bows-2313/ FAMU bows 23–13 Press Journal September 25, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 1 w 13 Alabama State Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 52–19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122494857/tennessee-state-routs-hornets-5219/ Tennessee State routs Hornets, 52–19 The Montgomery Advertiser October 2, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 8 t 8 Grambling State T–14 Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN 7–7 40,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121134968/grambling-scores-tsu-fit-to-be-tied/ The Tennessean Grambling scores, TSU fit to be tied October 9, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 22 w y 12 Bethune–Cookman Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL 21–19 6,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122495092/fumbles-foil-bccs-upset-bid/ Fumbles foil B–CC's upset bid The Orlando Sentinel October 23, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 29 w y 13 Southern A. W. Mumford Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 49–24 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122495204/tennessee-state-downs-southern/ Tennessee State downs Southern The Tennessean October 30, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 5 w 8 1983 District of Columbia Firebirds District of Columbia Hale Stadium Nashville, TN 55–6 4,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122495356/big-blue-overwhelms-district-of-columbia/ Big Blue overwhelms District of Columbia The Commercial Appeal November 6, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 12 l y 12 Mississippi Valley State Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Bluff City Classic 38–51 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122495466/early-turnovers-help-mvsu-clobber-tsu/ Early turnovers help MVSU clobber TSU The Greenwood Commonwealth November 13, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 19 w y 18 North Carolina A&T Aggie Stadium Greensboro, NC 57–0 7,625 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122495594/tennessee-state-rips-nc-at/ Tennessee State rips N.C. A&T The Charlotte Observer November 20, 1983 April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com References Tennessee State Category:Tennessee State Tigers football seasons Category:Black college football national champions Tennessee State Tigers football Category:1980s in Nashville, Tennessee