Despite a record-setting passing performance, ETSU’s football team suffered a tough loss on the road, falling 37-31 to No. 12 Mercer. The Bucs, now 5-4 overall and 3-2 in SoCon play, were undone by costly turnovers, penalties, and a critical special teams miscue.
ETSU’s quarterbacks combined for a school-record 459 passing yards. Jaylen King started strong, throwing for 192 yards, including a 68-yard bomb of a touchdown to Hakeem Meggett. Gino English took over in the third quarter, adding 267 yards and two touchdowns, completing 14-of-19 through the air.
The Buccaneer defense limited Mercer to 292 yards, their third-lowest output this season. ETSU got back to the quarterback for a total of four sacks, led by Zach West’s two, while Nick Hunter and William McRainey added to the tally. McRainey recorded a team-high 12 tackles.
ETSU started out strong with a 14-3 lead in the first quarter. However, turnovers proved costly. A fumble deep in ETSU territory and a pick-six gifted Mercer the momentum, allowing them to capitalize and take a 17-14 lead by halftime.
In the second half another costly mistake by the Bucs allowed Mercer to score their first offensive touchdown of the day. Following that Mercer’s special teams blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, extending their lead to 31-14. English sparked a late ETSU rally, with two touchdown passes to Johnson pulling the Bucs within striking distance, but the efforts were not enough to negate all of the crucial turnovers. A field goal by Ewan Johnson brought ETSU to 37-31, but penalties on back-to-back onside kick recoveries sealed their fate.
The Bucs will look to bounce back next week at home as they continue their push for a strong finish in SoCon play against Western Carolina.
