JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 17, 2022) – For a second straight week the Bucs struggled as SoCon rival Furman toppled the home team 27-14.
In front of a capacity crowd of 9,836, the fourth-largest turnout in William B. Greene Jr. Stadium history, the No. 18-ranked ETSU Bucs (1-1) took on the Furman Paladins (1-1) in their SoCon home opener.
Looking to bounce back to form following a loss on the road at The Citadel the week prior, the Bucs would face an uphill battle as the team turned the ball over on four occasions, with the Paladins scoring 13 of their 27 points on those turnovers.
The Paladins did exactly what was needed to earn a victory against a strong Bucs run game. The Bucs finished the day with only 80-yards on the ground, with RB Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tenn.) making up 54 yards on 19 carries and one fumble.
Bucs QB Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Fla.) was able to put up big numbers in passing with 22/44 for 272-yards and two touchdowns; however, it was with passing that the Bucs gave up the ball on three interceptions, including Riddell’s first pass of the game, which would turn into a field goal for the Paladins.
On the very first pass of the next drive, Riddell would find WR Einaj Carter (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) on a 75-yard touchdown pass to give the Bucs an early lead of 7-3. Carter would end the day with three receptions for 87-yards and two touchdowns.
The Paladins would score 10 unanswered points in the second quarter and enter half-time with a 13-7 lead over the Bucs.
It was again that the Paladins struck first in the second half on a three-yard pass midway through the third quarter to cement their lead 20-7.
The Bucs would finally end the 17-point run for the Paladins on an 11-yard touchdown pass by Riddell to Carter to bring the Bucs within one score to close the third quarter.
Both teams had difficulties advancing the ball in the fourth quarter. Still, it was the costly interception by Bucs QB Tyler Riddell that sealed the win for the Paladins as they answered the turnover with a 46-yard touchdown with less than a minute of play remaining and a two-score game.
The final score was 27-14.
The Bucs now drop to (1-2) on the season and (0-2) in SoCon play, as Furman moves to (2-1) on the season and (1-0) in SoCon competition.
The Bucs will hope to get the season back on track as the team travels to Pittsburgh, Pa. to take on the Robert Morris Colonials (0-2) on Sept. 24. Kick-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.
For more information on Bucs football, visit www.etsubucs.com/football.
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