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1965 Tennessee A&I Tigers football team
| 1965 Tennessee A&I Tigers football |
|---|
| Midwest Athletic Association |
| 9–0–1 (3–0 MWAA) |
| John Merritt (3rd season) |
| Hale Stadium |
The 1965 Tennessee A&I Tigers football team represented Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State College as a member of the Midwest Athletic Association (MWAA) during the 1965 NCAA College Division football season. In their third season under head coach John Merritt, the Tigers compiled a 9–0–1 record, won the MWAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 333 to 108. The team was also recognized as the 1965 black college national champion and was ranked No. 5 in the final small college football rankings issued by the Associated Press and No. 12 in the final poll issued by the United Press International.
On December 11, Tennessee A&I played in the 1965 Grantland Rice Bowl against Ball State. It was the first college football game in Tennessee between an all-black team and a predominantly white team.
Key players included quarterback Eldridge Dickey, fullback Bill Tucker, halfback Noland Smith, wide receiver Willie Walker, split end Johnnie Robinson, middle guard/tackle James Carter, defensive lineman Franklin McRae, and defensive backs Alvin Coleman and Leon Moore. Coach Merritt described Carter as "the best lineman I've ever coached."
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 25 | North Carolina A&T* | Hale StadiumNashville, TN | W 42–12 | |||
| October 2 | at Texas Southern* | Jeppesen StadiumHouston, TX | W 32–7 | 10,000 | ||
| October 9 | Grambling* | Hale StadiumNashville, TN | W 40–7 | 8,000–24,000 | ||
| October 23 | Florida A&M* | Hale StadiumNashville, TN | W 45–6 | 16,500 | ||
| October 30 | at Southern* | No. 9 | University StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | W 40–36 | 18,000 | |
| November 6 | at Morris Brown* | No. 6 | Herndon StadiumAtlanta, GA | W 24–0 | ||
| November 13 | vs. Lincoln (MO) | No. 7 | Busch StadiumSt. Louis, MO (Gateway Classic) | W 31–6 | 5,600 | |
| November 20 | at Kentucky State | No. 7 | Alumni FieldFrankfort, KY | W 19–8 | 3,500 | |
| November 25 | Central State (OH) | No. 5 | Hale StadiumNashville, TN | W 46–12 | 9,000 | |
| December 11 | vs. Ball State* | No. 5 | Horace Jones FieldMurfreesboro, TN (Grantland Rice Bowl) | T 14–14 | 12,000 | |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game |
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