CAPE GIRARDAU, Mo. – Tennessee State football suffered its fifth consecutive loss Saturday, falling to Southeast Missouri State 28-12, but the outcome was tempered by positive news regarding starting quarterback Byron McNair. McNair exited the game with a left non-throwing shoulder injury in the fourth quarter, but coach Reggie Barlow later indicated the injury was not serious and he is expected to return for the Tigers’ homecoming game against Howard at Nissan Stadium on October 18th.
McNair, a transfer from Kansas Wesleyan, provided the only significant spark for Tennessee State (1-5, 0-3 Big South/Ohio Valley Conference). The offense was outgained by Southeast Missouri (2-4, 1-1) at one point late in the first half, 307 to 75 yards, and the Redhawks established a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
McNair ignited the TSU offense late in the second quarter and into the early part of the fourth. Zack Simmons-Brown ran for a 50-yard touchdown with 13:33 remaining, reducing the deficit to two scores. Shortly thereafter, while attempting a 23-yard pass to Anthony Taylor, McNair sustained the injury.
“When we came into the locker room after the game, (McNair) looked like he was OK,” Barlow stated. “He wasn’t still with the trainers or anything like that. His spirits were good when I talked to him. It might have just been a bruise on the bone. We’ll know more later, but I think he’s OK.”
Despite the injury, Barlow expressed satisfaction with McNair’s performance prior to his departure. McNair completed 15-of-32 passes for 175 yards, demonstrating an ability to manage the game effectively. He acknowledged a couple of throws he wished he had back.
Jonathan Palmer, a transfer from Gardner-Webb, started the first two games before McNair replaced him in the third game against Tennessee Tech. McNair’s season statistics stand at 58-of-97 passing for 663 yards, with two touchdowns and five interceptions.
Following McNair’s injury, Caleb McCreary, a transfer from Troy who had played sparingly in two games, entered the game. McCreary completed 3-of-8 passes for 50 yards, but threw an interception on the Tigers’ final possession. Barlow noted McCreary was already in the game plan to execute quarterback run plays and that he had received a significant number of second-team reps during the week.
Mike Organ can be reached at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean.