After eight games, the ETSU Bucs football program is (7-1) and sits atop the SoCon standings with a (4-1) conference record. The lone loss on the Bucs résumé this season came from an upset in Chattanooga; when the Mocs defense was able to do something that many teams have attempted to do but few have succeeded at this season: stop the Bucs run game.
With a season that began with a win over a Power-5 school in Vanderbilt; the Bucs hit the ground running, literally.
The Bucs are approaching 2000-yards total rushing on 336 carries and not far behind are the passing numbers: 1737-yards on 213 attempts and are averaging 439-total yards-per-game. The Bucs have 20 rushing touchdowns to 12 passing touchdowns on the season, outscoring opponents 269-147.
Much of the Bucs’ success this season comes from running back Quay Holmes (Powder Springs, Ga.). The senior has found himself as the go-to guy for the Bucs with 162 attempts, Holmes has gained 939-yards for the Bucs as well as 10 rushing touchdowns. Holmes is averaging 115.8 yards-per-game this season and is showing no signs of slowing down as the season comes to an end.
Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tenn,), the other half of the dynamic backfield, is not one to look over. Saylors has 598 yards gained on the season with only 90 carries and 7 touchdowns. Averaging 72.6 yards-per-game, it is easy to see why teams have trouble containing the Bucs backfield.
Bucs quarterback Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Fla.) is showing potential during his freshman season. Averaging 208 yards-per-game, boasting a 64.7% completion percentage, Riddell has thrown 11 touchdowns to just three interceptions in 204 attempts.
Wide receiver Will Huzzie (Duluth, Ga.) is having a standout year with 588 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The receiver is averaging 73.5 yards-per-game.
Bucs kicker, Tyler Keltner (Tallahassee, Fla.), is the teams leading scorer. Keltner is 13-17 on field-goal attempts and is a perfect 32-32 on point-after attempts.
After a last-second victory against Furman, the Bucs were able to take an off week to regroup and rest as they enter the final stretch of the season.
The Bucs will be back in action at William B. Greene Stadium for their Homecoming matchup against a strong VMI team that looks to avenge their loss in the spring season when the Bucs knocked the No. 10 ranked team and ended their bid at a perfect season.
This time, the Bucs find themselves as the ranked team and will look to defend their No. 14 ranking when VMI comes to Johnson City.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, following the weeklong Homecoming celebration.
