Tennessee State visits Alabama A&M on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. CT for the second installment of the four-year Legacy Series, with the Bulldogs looking to stay unbeaten at Louis Crews Stadium and the Tigers still chasing their first win of the season. Alabama A&M enters at 1-1 after a 38-23 win over Miles College, while Tennessee State is 0-2 following losses to Jackson State (24-26) and Georgia (3-63). The game airs on SWAC TV.

A rematch of last year’s renewal

Alabama A&M and Tennessee State picked up the series again a year ago after a long gap between meetings, with the Bulldogs winning 23-21 in Nashville after trailing 21-13 at halftime. Saturday marks Tennessee State’s first trip to Louis Crews Stadium since a 34-13 win there in 2008. Both programs’ own game notes credit Tennessee State with the larger historical edge in the all-time series, though the two documents differ on the exact record and the year the series began. What both sides agree on: Alabama A&M has won seven of the last 10 meetings between the schools.

Alabama A&M leans on a suddenly potent ground game

The Bulldogs piled up 279 rushing yards against Miles College, led by Troy Bruce’s 145 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. Bruce was a late addition to the roster after Alabama A&M lost running back Drew Pickett to a season-ending knee injury in the spring, and he did not join the team until training camp.

“He’s a kid that signed with us and came to training camp, wasn’t here in the spring, wasn’t here in the summer,” Shade said on the SWAC’s weekly coaches call. “And man, he’s been a pleasant surprise for us. He really has.”

Kolton Nero has added 105 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries this season, and Shade said Maurice Edwards, who missed the Miles College game, gives the Bulldogs a third option once healthy. Quarterback Cornelious Brown has completed 40 of 62 passes for 435 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to Jarel Williams, Imari Conley and Jordan Chambers-Smith. Shade also said cutting down penalties, 13 for 119 yards against Miles College, is a point of emphasis this week.

Tennessee State looks to Daylin Lee to turn things around

Tennessee State’s offense has struggled to move the ball through two games, averaging 231.5 total yards while allowing 531.0, but Barlow pointed to zero turnovers and only one penalty against Georgia as signs of progress. Quarterback Daylin Lee, a three-year starter who transferred in from Winston-Salem State, has completed 34 of 60 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown while adding 34 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

“He’s a dynamic quarterback,” Barlow said of Alabama A&M’s offense, calling the Bulldogs’ running backs and offensive line legitimate threats and noting Shade’s own background as a defensive-minded head coach. “We expect similar things, physical and tough on defense.”

Shade said his staff spent extra time on Tennessee State’s game against Jackson State, a similarly matched FCS opponent, rather than the loss to Georgia, and that the Tigers “had an opportunity to win the ball game” before a botched field goal snap and hold. He called Lee the focal point of Alabama A&M’s defensive game plan.

Alabama A&M will stay home for its next two games, hosting Bowie State on Sept. 19 before its lone trip out of state in September for a SWAC opener at Florida A&M on Sept. 26. Tennessee State travels to Florida A&M on Sept. 19. Track both teams the rest of the way on our 2026 football season dashboard.