JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 30, 2025) – In front of another sellout crowd at Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium, the ETSU football team started the 2025 season with a convincing 45-17 win over Murray State on Saturday evening. ETSU is off to its first 1-0 start since 2022, and the 45 points scored are the most since 1987 (49).
Saturday’s Standouts – A year after leading the SoCon in rushing, the Bucs’ ground game was in midseason form in Saturday’s season opener. ETSU rushed for 392 yards and five touchdowns on 58 carries (6.8 per carry). Devontae Houston led the charge with 128 yards on 14 carries (9.1 avg.) with two touchdowns. Houston, who ripped off a 51-yard run against the Racers, was joined in a productive ETSU backfield by D’Marius Rucker (65 yards, one touchdown), Khalil Eichelberger (54 yards, two touchdowns), Jason Albritton (47 yards), and Jaiden Daniels (36 yards). All five Buccaneer tailbacks averaged better than five yards per carry. The 392 rushing yards are the most in a game by the Bucs since November 13, 2021, against Western Carolina when they ran for 461 yards.
ETSU’s quarterback duties were split by graduate quarterbacks Jacolby Criswell and Cade McNamara. McNamara went 12-for-17 for 146 yards and a touchdown, while Criswell was 5-for-8 as a passer for 34 yards to go with 46 more yards on the ground.
Ephraim Floyd led ETSU’s pass catchers with four receptions for 35 yards. Jeremiah Harrison made a splash in his first collegiate game with three catches for 56 yards and a touchdown from McNamara.
Defensively, the Blue and Gold had four sacks, picked off two passes, and forced one fumble. Murray State averaged just 4.1 yards per play in the contest compared to ETSU’s mark of 6.9. Ty Anderson led all Buccaneer defenders with eight tackles
Next Up – The Bucs will venture out on the road for the first time this fall next week when they make the short trip to Knoxville to take on nationally-ranked Tennessee. Kickoff between the Bucs and Vols is set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+/SEC Network Plus from Neyland Stadium.
