ETSU football team hosted its final game of the 2019 season against Southern Conference rival Mercer. With a high scoring game, the Bucs held on in a close one, 38-33, gaining their first win since Austin Peay in September.
Redshirt sophomore running back Quay Holmes (Powder Springs, Georgia) broke a program rushing record, attributing 255 on the ground for the Bucs, while also scoring three touchdowns. The previous record was held by ETSU Hall of Famer Brandon Walker who had a record of 242 yards.
“This was definitely one of those goals,” said Holmes, who took home the player of game. “It’s definitely better for breaking a record like this with a win, not just for me but the seniors.”
Mercer struck first in the early going with an 11-yard run by Tyray Devezin. The Bucs added a kick from freshman Tyler Keltner (Tallahassee, Florida) and a two-yard run by sophomore running back Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tennessee) put the Bucs ahead.
Mercer answered in the opening of the second quarter with another run by Devezin. The Bucs then answered again on three different occasions before closing out the first half. Holmes scored two short runs while freshman quarterback Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Florida) completed a 27-yard pass to redshirt junior Keith Coffee (Miami, Florida) to put the Bucs up 31-14 at the half.
Devezin reached the endzone again in the third quarter, with a 13-yard run, but kicker Caleb Dowden missed the extra point. The Bears kept the momentum rolling in the start of the fourth with a four-yard pass from quarterback Chris Ellington to Kaelan Riley. The Bucs found the endzone with Holmes again with a three yard run.
Devezin aided the Bears with another running score within the last five minutes of the game. The Bucs’ defense held on to the lead for the remainder of the game and won by five points.
“I thought we had a good plan for the game,” said head coach Randy Sanders, in regards to the offensive and defensive game plan.
The Bucs conclude the regular season next week against Vanderbilt on Nov. 23. The Bucs stand at 3-8 in their overall record and one win in the SoCon. ETSU concludes the season Saturday with a road contest at Vanderbilt.
