CHARLESTON, Ill. – Tennessee State University football travels to Charleston,Illinois,this Saturday to face Eastern Illinois in the first road contest of the 2024 season. kickoff is set for[Time-[Time-[Time-[Time-not provided in source]at[Stadium-[Stadium-[Stadium-[Stadium-not provided in source].
The Tigers (2-2) aim to continue their recent dominance over the Panthers, having secured a 41-17 victory in Nashville earlier this year and achieved back-to-back home wins in 2022 and spring 2021. TSU also shut out Eastern Illinois 28-0 during their last visit to Charleston in 2021 and claimed a narrow 41-40 road win in 2018. This matchup renews a rivalry marked by close contests, wiht four of the last ten meetings decided by three points or fewer, including overtime battles in 2015 and 2017. A win for TSU would extend their winning streak against EIU and bolster their position in the[Conference-[Conference-[Conference-[Conference-not provided in source]standings.
Historically, the series favored Eastern Illinois, with the Panthers winning eight of ten games between 2010 and 2019. However, TSU has reversed that trend with its recent success.
In Week 5,James stewart lead the TSU pass rush with 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.Linebacker Dominique Dixon recorded a team-high seven total tackles (four solo). Kicker Freddy Perez was triumphant on field goals from 30 and 23 yards. Punter Mark Shenouda averaged 45.8 yards on four punts, including a 51-yarder and one inside the 20. Kendric Rhymes contributed 53 receiving yards on three catches, while DeVaughn Slaughter had four receptions for 58 yards, including a 32-yard gain.Snap Reed led all TSU receivers with 65 yards on three catches, highlighted by a 29-yard reception. Quarterback Jonathan Palmer threw for 127 yards, connecting with Slaughter for a 32-yard pass, and Byron McNair added 114 passing yards, contributing to a total of 241 combined passing yards for TSU.
