Why Eddie George said Tennessee State football isn't as bad as 0-4 record suggests
In the aftermath of a stunning loss to NCAA Division II Lane College, coach Eddie George prefers to talk about how close the Tennessee State football team has come to being successful rather than the fact that the Tigers are 0-4 heading into Saturday's homecoming against Bethune-Cookman (5 p.m., ESPN+) at Nissan Stadium.
George doesn't want the 28-27 overtime loss last Saturday at Hale Stadium to overshadow how far he says the Tigers have come since he took over in 2021.
The Tigers opened the season with a 36-29 loss at Eastern Washington, which was ranked 12th in the FCS at the time. The following week they lost to Jackson State, ranked 13th at the time, 16-3, and then 49-6 at Middle Tennessee State.
George pointed out TSU was in position late to win each game except against MTSU.
"We're talking about, honestly, a play, a stop, and we're looking at this completely different," George said. "It's all about perspective. You know, 0-4 is not good but when you look deep into it we're five plays on the year from being 3-1."
This is not only the message George has for fans who might be worried about the direction of the program, but also his staff and players.
LOSING TO LANE: Tennessee State falls to Lane 28-27 in overtime
TSU HOMECOMING: Show up and show out for Tennessee State's homecoming Saturday
KEY PLAYS: Five key plays that led to Tennessee State's loss to MTSU
"That's what I tell my team, what I tell my staff: we're not going to be discouraged," George said. "Because we have a team that's developing. The chemistry's coming together. I don't know when we're going to have our first win, but we have to stay consistent and work. Once it comes we will have an identity and something we can hang our hat on and build on."
TSU should have a good chance at getting a win in each of its next four games. Its next three opponents – Bethune-Cookman (1-3) Saturday, Tennessee Tech (1-3), Oct. 15, and Eastern Illinois (1-3), Oct. 22 – have just one win each and the fourth – Murray State (0-5), Oct. 29 – is winless.
TSU got off to an 0-2 start in 2021 with losses to Grambling and Jackson State before getting George's first win over Division II Kentucky State. That team eventually got into the mix for the Ohio Valley Conference championship late in the season after claiming four straight wins.
Even with the success the 2021 team experienced George said he knew the program still had plenty of room for improvement, which is why he is not surprised by its close calls and struggles this year.
"This is not an overnight fix," George said. "This is not a situation where you add a few pieces and you win a championship. This is going to take some time to figure it out and to get the right pieces, the right parts, the right bodies and develop it holistically."
George pointed out TSU was shorthanded in the loss to Lane after a rash of injuries sidelined 10 starters, including quarterback Draylen Ellis, running back Devon Starling and wide receivers Zack Dobson and Cam Wyche.
He said Ellis (high ankle sprain) and Starling (turf toe) were able to practice for the first time since their injuries Tuesday but both will be game time decisions against Bethune-Cookman.
"Draylen is still pretty sore and Star looking OK today but we're still limiting his practice reps," George said.
Chayil Garnett replaced Ellis against Lane and struggled. He completed 3 of 9 passes for 39 yards with a touchdown and an interception before being replaced by Edwin Rhodes III, who was 6-of-10 for 68 yards.
Jalen Rouse replaced Starling and rushed for 109 yards on 25 carries and scored a touchdown.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State football: Eddie George says Tigers better than 0-4
