Nashville, TN – Tennessee State University football coach Reggie Barlow remained optimistic following a 45-0 loss to North Dakota State Saturday, emphasizing the opportunity for player development despite the lopsided score.The game, played September 6, 2025, saw North Dakota State‘s starters score on all six first-half possessions, building a 45-0 halftime lead.
TSU mirrored North Dakota State’s approach in the second half, substituting heavily to provide playing time for less experienced players. “Just like them,they played a lot of people,we played a good bit of players who don’t normally get to play,” Barlow said. Defensive end Khy’lek Jarrett, a recent transfer from Princeton, recorded a tackle, alongside contributions from wide receiver Lelan Wilhoite (transfer from Florida A&M and former Siegel High School star), quarterback Myron McNair, running back Zack simmons Brown, and defensive tackles marlon Huff and Braelen Perry (transfer from Prairie View A&M). “It was good experience for guys like that to see fast ball and it’ll help us down the road,” Barlow added.
The game also served as an evaluation period for TSU’s quarterbacks – Jonathan Palmer, Myron McNair, and Caleb McCreary. Palmer, a former Page High School standout, started the game, with McNair playing the second half and McCreary seeing action in the fourth quarter. Barlow stated the plan was to give each quarterback a chance to play, noting, “This was the perfect game to do it. Obviously, it was not a conference game and we were playing against a really good opponent.” Palmer completed 5 of 13 passes for 38 yards, McNair went 2 for 4 for 12 yards, and McCreary was 1-for-1 for 11 yards.
Running back Kendric rhymes highlighted a more positive second-half performance from the Tigers. “At halftime we said,’They came out on fire so we have to match the energy,’ ” Rhymes said. “In the second half we regrouped, we recuperated and got everything together. Sometimes you have to play the game and have fun out there and that’s what we did.” Rhymes finished with 43 rushing yards on 12 carries and two receptions for 10 yards, after gaining just 15 yards on five carries in the first half.