Eddie George loved everything about the Southern Heritage Classic — except the outcome

MEMPHIS — The electrifying atmosphere at Liberty Bowl Stadium on Saturday night was the closest thing to the NFL Eddie George has experienced since his retirement in 2004.

The former Tennessee Titans All-Pro running back, now the coach at Tennessee State, got fired up on several occasions while turning to the crowd and urging fans to cheer on his Tigers as they tried to knock off No. 13 Jackson State in front of a raucous crowd of 51,531.

That didn't happen. JSU held on for a 16-3 win in what could be JSU's final time to play in the classic. Coach Deion Sanders has made it clear he would rather JSU (2-0) play home games instead of in classics, and he wants out.

But what about George? Does he want TSU (0-2) to get out of the only classic it plays in as well?

"You know, that's not up to me," George said. "I just play the teams that are on the schedule."

Still, George admitted even in a loss he enjoyed the exhilaration that came from playing in the classic.

"The atmosphere was awesome; the bands, the pageantry, the HBCU experience," he said. "It was wonderful to be a part of this."

TSU is under contract through 2024 to play in the Southern Heritage Classic. A new opponent will have to be found if JSU pulls out.

"It was exciting; I loved it," TSU quarterback Draylen Ellis said. "It's a chance to put on a show in front of a big crowd."

The average attendance for TSU's four home games in 2021 was 4,023, and George expressed his disappointment with the small crowds at the time.

With a larger crowd on hand Saturday night, George did his best to take advantage.

TSU put up two goal-line stands that kept it in the game, and George said the fans played a role in that. He made sure they did.

"We're fighting our butt off and we need our fans to recognize that and support us," George said.

"As players and coaches you feel that. That's a momentum shift and you feed off that. I get it that you're sitting here and you're watching the game but there are times like on a third down where you might want to get up and get a big stop for our defense. And if it's a stop at the goal line go crazy. Let us know you're behind us."

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Eddie George loved the Southern Heritage Classic but not the outcome