The Bucs hosted Southern Conference rival Wofford Terriers on Saturday. A strong start and strong control of time possession gave Wofford the win over the Bucs 35-17.  

The Bucs fall to 2-4 with winless record in SoCon play.

  • (Photograph by Collin Brooks / East Tennessean)
  • (Photograph by Collin Brooks / East Tennessean)
  • (Photograph by Collin Brooks / East Tennessean)
  • (Photograph by Collin Brooks / East Tennessean)
  • (Photograph by Collin Brooks / East Tennessean)
  • (Photograph by Collin Brooks / East Tennessean)
  • (Photograph by Collin Brooks / East Tennessean)

Wofford managed their time in possession of the ball, holding for over 20 minutes of the opening half. Two penalties pushed the Terriers back, but Wofford finished their second drive with points, driving 56 yards and concluding with a one-yard dive by quarterback Joe Newman.

The Terrier’s offensive momentum kept rolling after a tipped pass by Newman to Jason Hill extended their drive, then a 59-yard rush by Newman put up Wofford up 14-0.

Sophomore running back Quay Holmes (Powder Springs Georgia) returned the kickoff for 59 yards, setting up good field position for the Bucs. However, Wofford held the Bucs to three points when freshman Tyler Keltner (Tallahassee, Florida) kicked a 27-yard field goal.

The Terriers answered two more times before the end of the first half, Newman found the endzone two more times with an eight-yard run and a 15-yard run, pushing the Terriers lead by 25 points.

The Bucs opened the second half with a strong showing in the running game. Holmes and sophomore running back Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tennessee) combined over 40 yards on the ground, finishing the drive with Holmes walking it in the endzone for a two-yard touchdown.

With the Bucs behind, they were in four down territory. The Bucs went for it on fourth and one in the opening minutes of the final quarter. Holmes rushed for one yard to keep the Bucs’ drive alive and the next play saw redshirt sophomore quarterback Trey Mitchell (Knoxville, Tennessee) connect with Holmes for a 26-yard score.

“It is up to us if we want to go out there and put points on the board,” said head coach Randy Sanders.

Wofford maintained possession of the ball and marched 92 yards and scored once again sealing the deal.

“You got to give Wofford credit, they did a good job,” said Sanders.

At halftime, Sanders motivated the team to get out there and score some points.

“I still feel we have the making of being a good football team,” said Sanders.

The Bucs have a bye week coming up Oct. 12 and return to action on Oct. 17 when they travel to Chattanooga to take on the Mocs.