JOHNSON CITY, TENN (Sept. 9, 2023) – Carson-Newman traveled to William B. Greene Jr. Stadium for ETSU’s home opener.

Following a three-hour game delay due to weather, ETSU football finally got underway in Johnson City. The game was worth the wait as the Bucs shut out Carson-Newman 42-0. This win marks ETSU’s first shutout since Oct. 6, 2018.

The Buccaneers facing the Eagles in a line of scrimmage during the Saturday night game. (Will Rowland/East Tennessean)

The Buccaneer defense stunned the Eagles. Carson-Newman’s offense was held to just 204 total yards and 0 touchdowns.

QB Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Fla.) was listed as questionable for the game as he suffered a shoulder injury in the prior week versus Jacksonville State.

With Riddell sidelined, Eastern Michigan transfer Baron May (New Philadelphia, Ohio) took the start under center.

May went 9/15 for 139 yards through the air and two passing touchdowns, his main target being Will Huzzie (Duluth, Ga.), who caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.

With this performance from Huzzie, he becomes the third Buc to reach the 2,000 career receiving yards milestone.

May was also the Bucs’ leading rusher, running for 109 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

Junior running back Bryson Irby (Douglasville, Ga.) also had a successful day, running for 47 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburg transfer Khalil Anderson (Atlanta, Ga.) picked off Carson-Newman QB Jaylen Myers.

The special team’s unit also performed well. Senior wide receiver Einaj Carter (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) fielded four punts and ran for 80 yards, averaging 20 yards per punt return.

The Bucs now travel to Clarksville, Tenn., where they are set to play Austin Peay on Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Austin Peay is currently 0-2, as they just lost to the University of Tennessee Knoxville 30-13.

For more information about ETSU football, visit the ETSU football website.

Author