On Saturday night in Atlanta, the Georgia State football team will try to do something it’s never done in the program’s 10-year history: start the season with two straight wins.
Panther fans are still reveling in the team’s improbable victory last week over the University of Tennessee.
The odds were stacked against Georgia State last Saturday. They were playing in Knoxville in front of more than 85,000 most of them rooting for the home team.
And Tennessee had not lost a home opener in 20 years.
So when the Panthers took a lead late in the game Ken Higa, who was sitting in the stands, couldn’t believe his eyes.
“I think we were just kind of a little bit in shock, but so enthusiastic,” Higa said. “I think we could tell the players heard us, the coaches heard us.”
When the game was over, Georgia State had pulled out a 38-30 upset win.
The team’s biggest victory before last Saturday was a 2017 postseason bowl game.
“I was at the bowl game. I didn’t get to go to this game [against Tennessee], but I was at home screaming on my couch by myself and I felt probably more excited than when we won the bowl game, which is a pretty big win,” said Georgia State fan Amanda Emery.
It was a big win for the fans and for those on the sidelines.
“I think I had close to 900 texts and numerous phone calls,” said Shawn Elliott, who’s in his third season as Georgia State’s head football coach. “I mean I talked to any and everybody across the country. It’s just been great.”
The next challenge for Georgia State comes Saturday, when they play host to Furman.
“The way that this team looked on the field last week is nothing liked they’ve looked before,” said fan David Brown. “So I’ve got big hopes and big aspirations for the team this year, I’m looking forward to it. ”
Kickoff Saturday is at 7 p.m. at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta.
