Deion Sanders comments on bowl game loss to South Carolina State

After Jackson State’s upset loss to South Carolina State, head coach Deion Sanders spoke about his team not appearing to take their opponent seriously. Jackson State lost 31-10 in the Celebration Bowl, a disappointing end to an impressive season for the Tigers.

Deion Sanders on bowl game loss

“South Carolina State kicked our butts,” Sanders said after the game via The Athletic’s Seth Emerson. “Every way and fashion — and I feel like we were overconfident and overlooked them and felt like they were just gonna hand us the game.”

Jackson State started the game with the first strike, on a touchdown drive following a three-and-out by both teams to open the game. From there, the game was entirely in the Bulldogs’ control. They held the Tigers to just a field goal over the next three quarters and forced three turnovers as well.

Sanders’ program was riding high after finishing the season strong with a win over Prairie View A&M to win the SWAC Championship. Sanders was named FCS coach of the year, and shocked the college football world by securing the commitment of the On3 Consensus’ No. 1 recruit in the nation, Travis Hunter.

Hunter had previously been a commit to Sanders’ own alma mater, Florida State. The signing announcement was the most impressive and highest ranked prospect in FCS history.

But despite all of the positive momentum the program had built up, they forgot to take care of the details along the way according to Sanders’ postgame comments. South Carolina State’s victory in the Celebration Bowl let them end their season with a winning record at 7-5. Even with the disappointing end to their own season, Jackson State still closed out with double-digit wins at 11-2.

Deion Sanders wins Eddie Robinson Award

The Eddie Robinson award is given to the coach of the year among the Division I FCS teams, named for legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson. Sanders was one of 17 finalists for the award and will be honored at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 7.

When Sanders took over the Tigers program, the school had not had a winning season since 2013. Quickly after joining, he instituted a new mantra for the team. “I Believe” became the football programs slogan and has now led them to a SWAC championship.

The Tigers set a school record for wins this season with an 11-1 record with their only loss coming to Louisiana Monroe. Their SWAC title is the school’s first since 2007. Jackson State still has one more game to play after qualifying for the Celebration Bowl, where they will face South Carolina State.

“This is a team effort, it’s a valiant effort, it takes a lot, it does not just take me,” Sanders said about winning the award. “I know it takes a visionary, but people have to really support the vision. And that’s what we did.”