The undefeated (6-0) Bucs suited up as they visited in-state rival the (3-2) Chattanooga Mocs on Saturday in a SoCon matchup. The Mocs handed ETSU its first loss of the season, 21-16.
Coming off their sixth consecutive win vs The Citadel, the Bucs entered the day ranked No. 10 in FCS standings and looked to continue their offensive domination.
The first quarter did not see much action from either side as both offenses struggled early and failed to put any points on the board. The second quarter was kind to the Mocs as they were able to take the lead six seconds into the quarter after finding the endzone on an eight-yard run.
The Bucs were able to put points up early when Tyler Keltner (Tallahassee, Fla.) kicked a career-long, 51-yard FG to make the score 3-7. The Bucs struggled to contain the run all day as the Mocs answered with a 49-yard touchdown to take an 11-point lead.
The Bucs answered quickly when Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tenn.) scored on a 54-yard run to close in on the lead 10-14.
The fourth quarter yet again saw Chattanooga find the endzone on another long run, 58-yards, which put the Mocs up 21-10. The Bucs found the endzone one more time on a 22-yard pass from Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Fla.) to WR Will Huzzie (Duluth, Ga.) with :35 left to play. The Bucs shrunk the lead 16-21, but the offense did not see the field again.
The Bucs suffered their first loss of the season and dropped to (6-1). Entering the day, the Bucs had only allowed four sacks in their first six games, they allowed five in this game alone. All three scores for Chattanooga came on the ground, two of those were for over 49-yards a piece.
The Bucs were held to only 160 rushing yards, a season-low and only one rushing touchdown in the loss.
The Bucs will look to bounce back when they visit the (4-2) Furman Paladins on Oct. 23. The kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m..
