It’s almost time to put those game day jerseys on and take the field.
On Saturday, Aug. 20 the ETSU football team held their second fall camp scrimmage inside the ETSU Athletic Center. Both offense and defense put on a show for the fans and coaches that were in attendance.
On the offensive side of things, Redshirt freshman Dylan Wieger (Kingsport, Tenn.) really stepped up as Quarterback. He was in control as he went 13-for-20 for 145 yards and completed one touchdown. Although the freshman has no statistics recorded as a Buc yet, this scrimmage shows that he could potentially be a weapon for the team this season.
“I wanted to come out here and execute what we’ve done these last two weeks of camp,” Wieger said.
Returning sophomore quarterbacks Nick Sexton (Seymour, Tenn.) and Austin Herink (Cleveland, Tenn.) also did well. All three combined went 31-for-43 with 283 yards.
“Dylan’s obviously a great competitor,” said Head Coach Carl Torbush. “He’s got some guys he’s going to have to beat out, but I feel good about our three quarterbacks right now. I think that any three can get us down the field and be leaders for our offense.”
These performances helped teammates like Kobe Kelley (Knoxville, Tenn.), freshman Braxton Richburg (Hoschton, Ga.), redshirt freshman Artevius Smith (Birmingham, Ala.) and redshirt freshman Anthony Spagnoletti (Bealeton, Va.) with scoring and adding on the yards.
On rushes, the team combined for 74 yards and three touchdowns.
Junior Daren Ardis (Bradenton, Fla.) really put pressure on the offense. Ardis completed four tackles and a forced fumble and recovery on the same play.
The defensive stats were filled with highlights from returning athletes. The team as a whole recorded six sacks with 34 different players ending the game with a tackle.
“There’s a big difference from last year,” Ardis said. “We’re more physical, more into it, a lot bigger and a lot stronger. Also a lot of bigger blows than last year.”
Ardis says the team will now focus on their start of the season.
Last season in the season opener against Kennesaw State, the Bucs needed more defense as Kennesaw scored 14 unanswered points and continued to add on the points as the game continued and defeated the Bucs 56-16.
“I really believe that if we keep everyone healthy on defense we have a chance to be a very consistent and very good defense,” Torbush said.
They will meet Kennesaw again for the season opener this year on Sept. 3 in Kennesaw — away from Buccaneer territory.
