CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Oct. 18, 2025) – The ETSU football team held a double-digit lead at Chattanooga in the fourth quarter, but a late surge by the Mocs gave them a 42-38 victory over ETSU. Saturday’s loss moves ETSU’s record to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in SoCon play.
After not winning the toss for just the second time all season, the Buccaneer offense took the field first against the Mocs. ETSU’s first drive of the day was steady and burned over six minutes off the clock. Cade McNamara, who missed last week’s game, started 5-for-5 for 26 yards passing. McNamara also scrambled for a nine-yard gain to pick up a key first down to keep the drive alive. Devontae Houston, however, was ETSU’s top offensive weapon to open the game with 32 yards on seven carries. Eventually, ETSU’s drive stalled so it had to settle for a 20-yard field goal by Ewan Johnson to make the score 3-0 Bucs. It is the first time that the Bucs have scored on their opening drive all season.
As methodical as the Bucs were on the first drive, Chattanooga hit the ETSU defense quickly in its first chance on offense. The shortest play by the Mocs was five yards, and then they broke off a pair of big gains for 30 and 23 yards, respectively. That 23-yarder was a rush by Ryan Ingram, and he found the end zone on that carry to give Chattanooga its first lead of the afternoon, 7-3.
Suddenly finding itself behind, ETSU again used the ground game to fuel its next possession. McNamara continued to find some open space and gain some valuable yards running the ball. The graduate quarterback sparked the drive with a pair of short completions to Jason Albritton and Ephraim Floyd before running for 15 yards and another Buccaneer first down. ETSU moved the ball to Chattanooga’s 25-yard line but found itself facing a 4th-and-2. Instead of opting for a field goal, the Bucs went for it. McNamara faked a toss to Houston and found a seam in the defense to run it in for an ETSU touchdown. For McNamara, it was his second rushing touchdown of the season, and the 25-yard rush was the longest of his college career.
Chattanooga answered again on its next drive. A pair of important 15-yard penalties by the Buc defense set the Mocs up deep into ETSU territory. The Mocs took advantage of those miscues and hooked up on a 21-yard touchdown pass to regain the lead, 14-10.
After four consecutive scoring drives to start the contest, both defenses made some adjustments and held the other team off the scoreboard, going into halftime with the Mocs up by four.
Coming out of halftime, the Mocs used a pair of key third-down conversions to keep their drive alive. It looked like ETSU got off the field and forced a field goal attempt. However, Chattanooga executed a fake field goal, pitching the ball to its kicker, who ran for an eight-yard touchdown to grow the Mocs’ lead to double digits, 21-10.
Suddenly trailing by multiple scores, the Bucs’ offense did not panic. A pair of first downs led to a big 60-yard run by Albritton. For Albritton, it was the longest run of his career and his fifth rushing score of the season.
With the score now 21-17 Chattanooga, the Buc defense stepped up and forced Chattanooga’s offense to go three-and-out for the first time in the contest. Now back on offense, the Bucs quickly started to build more momentum. A 20-yard strike from McNamara to Ephraim Floyd, a pass interference call on Chattanooga, and a 20-yard rush by Khalil Eichelberger got the Bucs deep into Moc territory. Unfortunately, a strip sack caused a fumble, and Chattanooga jumped on it to bring ETSU’s possession to an abrupt end.
ETSU’s defense forced another Chattanooga punt to get the ball back. Big gains from Taharin Sudderth (17-yard reception) and Houston (21-yard rush) quickly got the Bucs into scoring range as the time in the third quarter came to an end.
As the fourth quarter began, the Bucs moved the ball to the one-yard line, setting up Albritton to find the end zone for the second time on the day. For Albritton, it was his first multi-touchdown game of his collegiate career.
Now holding a 24-21 lead, the Buccaneer defense promptly gave its offense the ball back after another quick Chattanooga possession. A 14-yard run by Houston and then a pair of big pass plays from McNamara to Jeremiah Harrison (38 and 23 yards) extended ETSU’s lead to double figures, 31-21. It is the second straight game that Harrison has caught a touchdown pass.
Next Up – The Bucs will aim to keep things rolling next Saturday when they return home to host Wofford. Kickoff between the Bucs and Terriers is set for 3:30 p.m. from Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.
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