On Saturday, Aug. 29, the ETSU football hosted the season opener at home against Campbell University, an opponent they have never faced before. With no history and only victory on their minds, both teams were ready to give it their all. Campbell proved too much for the Bucs, winning 49-37.
Quarterback Mason Mims, making his college football debut, set an ETSU single-game record with 33 completions. He finished 33 for 71 with 373 yards and two touchdowns. Mims completed passes to eight different receivers.
The first half of the game started evenly with teams trading off scoring touchdowns, with an even score of 21-21 with 6 minutes of the second quarter remaining. Campbell, however, was able to push ahead with another touchdown with only 25 seconds left on the clock. Right as the clock hits 00:00, Ewan Johnson was able to kick a field goal for the Buccaneers, making the score 28-24 at the end of the first half with the Fighting Camels in a small lead.
The second half started out slow for both teams, with both being unable to push past the other’s defense. With only 28 seconds left on the clock, Campbell managed to score yet another touchdown, pushing their lead to 35-24 as the fourth quarter began. Once again, Campbell gained a bigger lead with another touchdown, making the score 42-24. With the pressure rising, the Buccaneers were able to squeeze not only a touchdown, but a 2-point conversion to tighten up the score. ETSU kept up their momentum with another touchdown, the score now 42-37. The game ends with one final touchdown by the Fighting Camels, with ETSU losing with a score of 49-37.
In his Aug. 24 press conference leading up to the game, ETSU Coach Will Healy said that “to open up at home is a really big deal against a really, really good football team.” He gives even more flowers to the Fighting Camels, stating that “it will be a very difficult matchup, and we’re going to figure out how good we are week 1.”
With a bitter loss in their throats, ETSU is back at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. against Tusculum University, an opponent the football team has not competed against since 1950.
For more information on the ETSU football team, go to ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.
