Vanderbilt to play TSU in 2016, 2018

Vanderbilt will play home football games against Tennessee State in 2016 and 2018.

Both games will be played at Vanderbilt Stadium on Oct. 22, 2016 and Sept. 29, 2018. The two-game series contract was recently signed, according to Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams.

“We are playing Tennessee State in football. We’ve got two games scheduled with them,” Williams said. “… I believe it makes sense (to play nearby teams). When I was at Ohio State, we came up with a thought that it was important that we at least every other year play one of the schools in Ohio.”

Vanderbilt’s only previous meeting with TSU was in 2006, when the Commodores won 38-9.

It continues Vanderbilt’s recent scheduling of in-state and regional opponents on its non-conference slate.

The Commodores host Western Kentucky in Thursday night’s opener, kicking off a three-game series that includes a game at Western Kentucky in 2016 and another contest at Vanderbilt in 2017.

Vanderbilt will play at Middle Tennessee State on Oct. 3 and in 2017 and host the Blue Raiders in 2016 and 2018.

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.