After two straight losses, the ETSU football team heads into the eighth week of their 12-game schedule and head coach Paul Hamilton says the most important thing the Bucs need to do is move the ball.
The Bucs have a pretty good chance to do that as they play Elon University Saturday in the ETSU’s homecoming game at 2 p.m.
“We respect coach Al Seagraves and their players and the way they’ve built that program up,” Hamilton said. “They’ve had some good wins since he’s been there. We know they’ll come in and be a good football team.”
The Citadel totally stopped the Buc offense last week. ETSU only had 134 yards total offense in the 26-7 loss. The week before the Bucs came up with only 177 yards in a 29-10 loss to Appalachian State.
“I knew we were headed into a challenging situation,” Hamilton said. “I really felt we held their quarterbacks to 130 yards and that’s a credit to our defense.”
The Bucs had 29 plays that ended in yards for loss, including 12 sacks, in the two games.
“We’ve lost some tough games the last two weeks and nobody’s feeling good about themselves,” Hamilton said. “I’m proud of the way our defensive team is playing.”
Hamilton was left wondering how to turn the Buc momentum around after the two-game setback.
“We’ve got to start making some first downs on offense,” Hamilton said. “The key is being in the ballgame in the fourth quarter and keeping it close.”
Elon is 2-4 and has not won a road game yet this year. This will be its fourth straight road game for Elon which will join the SoCon in 2003.
The Phoenix has given up over 430 yards and 35 points a game this year.
The Buc defense, however, is one of the league’s best, but will be at less than full strength Saturday.
“Our defensive secondary played well against a good quarterback,” Hamilton said. “They’re a quality football team.”
Safety Gerald Sensabaugh suffered a broken hand at The Citadel and was scheduled for surgery Tuesday.
There was better news on tackle Travis Williams; X-rays revealed his left ankle is not broken.
Hamilton hopes both players are able to return to action in a couple of weeks.
As for linebacker Andrew Foerster, he is doubtful for Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. Foerster also sat out last week.
Notes: ETSU owns a 1-0 advantage over Elon in the series … The Bucs posted a 35-16 victory over the Phoenix in Johnson City in 1997. Elon, 2-4 this season, is coming off a 38-27 loss to Gardner-Webb last week … The Phoenix, who will compete as a SoCon member next year, is facing its second SoCon opponent this season … Elon dropped a 57-7 decision to Furman earlier in the season … The Bucs are returning home after being topped 26-7 by The Citadel on last week … Elon is ETSU’s second Big South opponent this year … The Bucs scored a 13-10 victory of Gardner-Webb earlier this season.

Author