CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Oct. 21, 2023) – Chattanooga scored on its first three possessions and retained The Rail as the 20th-ranked Mocs defeated ETSU 34-3 on Saturday afternoon at Finley Stadium 
 
Coming off a 31-point win last week against Wofford, the Buccaneers were looking to carry momentum in the Scenic City, but ETSU couldn't get anything going early and the Mocs made them pay. 
 
Chattanooga generated 214 yards on its first 19 plays that resulted in the scoring drives, while the Bucs were held to 42 yards on their first 17 plays. For the game, ETSU mustered 120 yards of total offense (46 passing/74 rushing), compared to the Mocs totaling 418 (259 passing/159 rushing).
 
Making his first collegiate start in his hometown, ETSU quarterback William Riddle went 8-for-25 for 46 yards and one interception and one fumble. Running back Bryson Irby registered 82 rushing yards on 18 carries. Chattanooga quarterback Chase Artopoeus – a UCLA transfer – went 17-of-24 for 249 yards and two touchdowns (one interception). Running back Gino Appleberry – filling in for starter Ailym Ford – rushed for 71 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns. 
 
Defensively, Jordan Hoskins and Zach West registered double-digit tackles. Hoskins finished with a game-high 11 hits and West finished with a career-high 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Jayvon Henderson and Jaylen George tallied the two Buccaneer takeaways. 
 
The Bucs were penalized eight times for 91 yards and lost the time of possession by 12 minutes (36:00 to 24:00). 
With the loss, ETSU dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in SoCon play, while Chattanooga – who has won the last four rivalry games – improved to 6-2, 5-1. 
 
Chattanooga scored on two short runs before Artopoeus hit Jamoi Mayes for a 45-yard score to go up 21-0 with 14:52 remaining in the second quarter. The Buccaneer defense finally got some stops when George ripped the ball right out of Appleberry's hands as the Mocs' running back was looking to score from inside the 10-yard line. Despite being forced to punt following the takeaway, ETSU's defense forced another turnover on the second straight drive when Henderson came away with his first career interception. Following a 31-yad return, the Bucs got on the board when Ewan Johnson connected on a 40-yard field goal with 3:55 remaining in the half. 
 
For the half, ETSU was outgained 272 to 75, while the Bucs were penalized six times for 72 yards. 
 
Chattanooga started the second half the same it began the first. 
 
After ETSU went three-and-out on its first series of the third quarter, the Mocs marched 47 yards on three plays and scored on a 26-yard strike from Artopoeus to Mayes, extending the lead to 28-3 with 12:02 remaining in the quarter. 
 
The Mocs tacked on two fourth-quarter field goals to secure the 31-point win. 
 
NEXT GAME UP
ETSU remains on the road as they head to Greenville, S.C. to take on No. 3 Furman next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. 
 
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