What Channel Is the Murray State Game on
Tennessee State stretched its Ohio Valley Conference win streak to four games Saturday, setting up a big game next week that will play a factor in determining the conference championship.
After jumping to a 21-point lead, the Tigers held off Murray State 27-21 in front of a homecoming crowd of 8,627 fans.
The Tigers (5-3, 3-1), who are tied with Southeast Missouri (3-6, 3-1) for second place in the league standings, will ride their longest OVC win streak since 2013 to play at UT Martin (7-1, 3-0), which is in first place.
TSU has won five of its last six games.
Murray State (3-5, 0-3) remained in last place.
Hickbottom on the run
Quarterback Geremy Hickbottom won the starting position because of his strong passing arm, but it was Hickbottom's ability to run the ball that won the game.
He ran for three touchdowns, including the game-winner on a draw with 1:41 left from 7 yards.
Hickbottom's first score came when he broke three tackles and sprinted into the end zone on an 8-yard run to put TSU up 7-0 in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Hickbottom scrambled out of the backfield and ran 65 yards down the left sideline for touchdown.
Hickbottom has rushed for a team-high seven touchdowns this season.
He was TSU's leading rusher with 87 yards on nine carries. Running back Devon Starling rushed for 77 yards on 14 carries.
Hickbottom also accounted for TSU's other TD when he tossed a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Trueheart.
James Reese IV makes big play
James Reese IV, the son of former TSU coach James Reese III, made the first interception of his career and set up the Tigers' second touchdown in the third quarter.
Reese tipped D.J. Williams' pass and then grabbed it at the Murray State 35.
On the next play, Hickbottom ran 65 yards for a touchdown.
James Reese III was TSU's coach from 2000-04. He also played running back for the Tigers (1988-90) after starring at Whites Creek.
Largest crowd
Attendance wasn't nearly as large as the average homecoming attendance over the previous five years (19,599), but it was much better than the first two home games this season.
George had talked about how disappointed he was with the home crowds after 2,513 showed up for the Kentucky State game and 2,420 for Tennessee Tech.
George said Saturday's crowd finally gave the Tigers a homefield advantage.
Big group of prospects
About 200 prospects attended the game.
It was the largest group of prospects that will visit this season. About 40 came for the previous home game against Tennessee Tech.
The last home game is Nov. 13 against Austin Peay.
Penalties still a problem
TSU's is the most penalized team in the OVC and it didn't get any better Saturday.
The Tigers committed four 15-yard person fouls and a total of 10 penalties for 99 yards. The Tigers were penalized four times on Murray State's second scoring drive. Two of those penalties gave the Races first downs.
TSU came into the game averaging 82.3 penalty yards per game.
Murray State, the least-penalized team in the conference, was flagged six times for 55 yards.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
What Channel Is the Murray State Game on
Source: https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2021/10/30/tennessee-state-vs-murray-state-tigers-homecoming-live-updates/6143200001/