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Abercrombie suffered a head injury at the end of the second quarter and was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where he was operated on urgently.
Nashville Tennessean

Christion Abercrombie(Photo: Tennessee State Athletics)

Tennessee State and Vanderbilt players gathered in midfield as soon as the last shot sounded Saturday's game to pray for the linebacker of the Tigers, Christion Abercrombie.

Abercrombie, a native of Atlanta, sustained a head injury at the end of the second quarter and was rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where he was operated on an emergency basis.

"The last time I heard that he was in surgery; we prayed for him, "said TSU coach Rod Reed after the game. "I'm going to leave here and go see what's going on around him."

Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason embraces TSU Head Coach Rod Reed after Vanderbilt's victory at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU head coach Rod Reed and Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason explain the status of linebacker Christion Abercrombie at the TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville. Tennessee. Abercrombie was taken to the hospital after being injured in the head.

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Vanderbilt offensive lineman Devin Cochran (77) retains halfback Ke 'Shawn Vaughn (5) after Vaughn scored a touchdown against TSU in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt wide receiver, Kalija Lipscomb (16), scored a touchdown to score a touchdown to TSU Dajour Nesbeth (10) in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday September 29, 2018.
TSU Head Coach Rod Reed congratulates Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason after their 31-27 victory at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Offensive halfback Ke 'Shawn Vaughn (5) of Vanderbilt scored a touchdown against TSU in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU head coach Rod Reed with his players after their 31-27 loss to Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt's Ke 'Shawn Vaughn (5) midfielder stands on the field in front of the TSU defense in the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU receiver Steven Newbold (1) tries to get away from a Vanderbilt defenseman in the third quarter of Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) pitched a pass during their match against TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU head coach Rod Reed with his players after their 31-27 loss to Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt's receiver-general, C.J. Bolar (83), tries to get away from a TSU defenseman in the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Cornerback TSU Dajour Nesbeth (10) breaks a pass for Vanderbilt receiver Kalija Lipscomb (16) in the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU Head Coach, Rod Reed, argues that an umpire call during their match against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt wide receiver, 16-year-old Kalija Lipscomb, entered the end zone with 21-year-old Neiman Armstrong in the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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DeVon Johnson (13), a TSU wide catcher, catches a shot under a Vanderbilt defenseman at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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DeVon Johnson (13), wide TSU catcher, passes Joejuan Williams (8) in the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium in Samantha, Sept. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU running back Andrew Knox (24) plays a touchdown pass on linebacker Caleb Peart (9) and safety LaDarius Wiley (5) at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU running back Andrew Knox (24) fell to the floor with a touchdown pass on Vanderbilt linebacker Caleb Peart (9) and LaDarius Wiley (5) at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018. Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU head coach Rod Reed stands beside his players after defeating Vanderbilt 31-27 at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt wide receiver, Kalija Lipscomb (16), scored a touchdown to score a touchdown to TSU Dajour Nesbeth (10) in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) leaves the field after defeating TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU quarterback Demry Croft (7) is tackled by linebacker Vanderbilt Jordan Griffin (40) in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt wide receiver, Kalija Lipscomb (16), advances to TSU in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) faces TSU in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt's Ke '# 1 Shawn Vaughn (# 5) will face defensive bull TSU Khalil Jones (90) and halfback Shakur Jackson (20) in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday. September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason watches his team face TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, in the second half on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU wide receiver Steven Newbold (1) drew Vanderbilt in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU Group will play in the second half against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU quarterback Demu Croft (7) maneuvers Vanderbilt during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason watches his team face TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, in the second half on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Offensive halfback Ke 'Shawn Vaughn (5) of Vanderbilt scored a touchdown against TSU in the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Jared Pinkney (80), the tight Vanderbilt team, will sign a touchdown pass under linebacker James Green (8) of the TSU in the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU quarterback Demry Croft (7) is down for defeat by a Vanderbilt defenseman in the first quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU head coach, Rod Reed, argues that an umpire call against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Cornerback TSU Dajour Nesbeth steps out of the end zone with an interception against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Offensive lineman Chidi Okeke (75) of the TSU celebrates his touchdown in the second quarter against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU wide receiver Treon Harris (5) scored a touchdown against Vanderbilt in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU receiver Treon Harris (5) passes a Vanderbilt defender for a touchdown in the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU receiver Treon Harris (5) reacts to a touchdown against Vanderbilt in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU wide receiver DeVon Johnson (13) congratulates wide receiver Treon Harris (5) after his touchdown in the second quarter against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) plans to play TSU in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU receiver Steven Newbold (1) dives into the end zone for a touchdown beyond defensive back Vanderbilt Randall Haynie (4) in the second quarter of Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU catcher Steven Newbold (1) scored a touchdown against Vanderbilt in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt cornerback Donovan Sheffield (21) and linebacker Dimitri Moore (7) face Steven Newbold (1) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Quarterback Vanderbilt Kyle Shurmur (14) finds himself in the pocket for a TSU first-quarter pass at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Midfielder Vaurorbilt Jamauri Wakefield (32) is faced by Jordan Bell (35) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt's receiver-general, C.J. Bolar (83), tries to overtake a TSU defenseman in the first quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU quarterback Demry Croft (7) is sacked by defensive lineman Vanderbilt Dayo Odeyingbo (10) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU quarterback Demry Croft (7) slid on Vanderbilt defensive back Alim Muhammad (31) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU catcher Steven Newbold (1) beat defensive back Vanderbilt Randall Haynie (4) after a first-quarter strike at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt 23-year-old midfielder Khari Blasingame was hit by quarterback TSU Neiman Armstrong in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU receiver Steven Newbold (1) tries to get out of Vanderbilt's defensemen after a first-quarter strike at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt wide receiver Chris Pierce (19) defeated TSU Dajour Nesbeth (10) in the first half at the Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt wide receiver Donaven Tennyson (4) defeated TSU defensive back Shakur Jackson (20) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt's 23-year-old midfielder Khari Blasingame advances to TSU in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Defensive back Vanderbilt Allan George (28) snatched TSU tight end Miles Cavitt (80) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt 23-year-old midfielder Khari Blasingame is faced by cornerback TSU Neiman Armstrong in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU Quarterback Demry Croft (7) throws a pass as he is pressed by linebacker Vanderbilt Dimitri Moore (7) in the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee .

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Vanderbilt midfielder Khari Blasingame (23) and cornerback Joejuan Williams (8) waved the flags before taking part in the match against the TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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TSU fans Branded Moore and Willie Nelson dance as they prepare for the game between TSU and Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt fans Jill DeGeorge and Shari Lyle dance in front of the TSU and Vanderbilt game at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Matthew Fuller, a fan of Vanderbilt, throws a bag of beans while he plays Corn Hole before the match between TSU and Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt fan, Addie Maddux 4, turns around before the TSU-Vanderbilt match at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Joan List takes advantage of the TSU and Vanderbilt match at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) heads to the stadium before facing TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason heads to the stadium before facing TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Midfielder Jamauri Wakefield (32) and defensive lineman Drew Birchmeier (91) make their way to the stadium before facing TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Commodore warms up the crowd ahead of Vanderbilt and TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU linebacker Christion Abercrombie (6) faces Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
TSU linebacker Christion Abercrombie (6) faces Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) in the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 29, 2018.

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"He … has collapsed"

Abercrombie has been listed in critical condition after surgery, according to a statement from the TSU

Reed did not know exactly when Abercrombie was injured.

"It was just before the half," said Reed. "He came to the sideline and just a little collapse there."

Abercrombie was administered oxygen on the sideline before being taken on a stretcher.

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TSU head coach Rod Reed and Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason explain the status of linebacker Christion Abercrombie at the TSU at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee . Abercrombie was taken to the hospital after being injured in the head. (Photo: George Walker IV / The Tennessean)

Abercombie is a second-year transfer from Illinois. He entered the game as TSU's second tackle (13 tackles) and also collected 1.5 sacks of the season.

He recorded five tackles and a quarter-time before being injured on Saturday.

Bricklayer: "Football becomes secondary"

Before answering questions at his post-game press conference, Vanderbilt coach, Derek Mason, spoke of the Abercrombie injury.

"At the end of the day, I'm a football coach coach of a team and coach a match, but football is what we do, not what we are," Mason said. . "I know what it's like to be a coach. I know what it's like to have a player injured. In the end, when serious injuries occur, football becomes a secondary activity. "

► More: Tennessee State football loses against Vanderbilt 31-27; 5 things we learned

Go to Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.