JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 9, 2024) – In front of the largest crowd in the history of Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium (12,109 fans), the ETSU football team treated the home faithful to a 24-21 win over No. 22 Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon in the annual Blue Ridge Border Battle. Saturday’s victory boosts ETSU’s record to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in SoCon play.
Saturday’s Standouts – The Buccaneer defense turned in yet another stellar outing on Saturday. Facing the SoCon’s best offense in terms of total offense per game, the Bucs made their share of plays to help fuel the win for the Bucs. Ray Coney set a new career-high with 17 tackles on the day with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. ETSU totaled a season-high eight sacks in the victory with 3.5 of those coming from senior captain Zach West. West is up to 8.5 sacks on the season, which is the most by an ETSU player in a season since the return of the program in 2015 and the second-most ever by a Buccaneer defender. With two games to go in the regular season, West is just 1.5 sacks shy of matching the single season program record of 10 by James Russell set in both 1994 and 1996.
After forcing just four turnovers through the first five games of SoCon play, the Buc defense totaled three in Saturday’s win over Western Carolina. ETSU forced three fumbles (two recoveries) and an interception. West added a fumble recovery and forced another to add to his stellar Saturday. Cam Sims tallied the interception for the Bucs, which was his first in a Buccaneer uniform to go with six tackles and three pass breakups.
Offensively, the Bucs totaled 328 yards (174 rushing, 154 passing) in Saturday’s win over WCU. The tandem of Bryson Irby (79 yards) and Devontae Houston (64 yards) combined for over 140 yards on the ground, while quarterback Gino English ran for 26 yards as well.
English, who was making his first collegiate start, threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns in his starting debut. Xavier Gaillardetz and Ephraim Floyd both tallied touchdown catches in the win, while AJ Johnson led Buccaneer pass catchers with 58 yards on two catches (27 avg.). It was the fourth time in the last five games that Johnson has had 50 or more receiving yards.
Next Up – The Bucs will remain home next week as they welcome Furman to Johnson City. Saturday’s game will be the team’s Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day. Kickoff between the Bucs and Paladins is set for Noon.
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