JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2023) – The ETSU football team will return home for the first time in nearly a month on Saturday when it welcomes Mercer to Johnson City. Saturday's game will also be the annual Homecoming game for the Bucs. 
 
Below are the Things to Know brought to you by Citizens Bank. 
 
No. 1 – Kickoff: Saturday's game will kickoff at 3:32 p.m. ET inside William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium. 
 
No. 2 – Homecoming: The Bucs will be playing at home for just the second time this season with the first resulting in a 42-0 win over Carson-Newman back on September 9. Since Greene Stadium opened in 2017, ETSU is 23-11 (.676 winning percentage) at home. Furthermore, since football returned in 2015, the Bucs are 4-3 on Homecoming with wins over Cumberland (2016), Robert Morris (2017), Gardner-Webb (2018) and then-No. 18 VMI (2021). 
 
No. 3 – Revamped Food City Fan Zone: The Food City Fan Zone will feature a new look this season! 
 
Opening four hours before kickoff, the newly revamped Food City Fan Zone will include weekly cornhole tournaments, the BrightRidge Media Zone, Grill Talk Pregame Show with the Voice of the Bucs Jay Sandos, and Food Trucks. 
 
Fans interested in participating in the cornhole tournaments can sign up here or on the day of each Buccaneer football home game and have the chance to win prizes courtesy of Food City. Please note, the cornhole tournaments will begin on Saturday  
 
The BrightRidge Media Zone will include complimentary Pepsi products as well as a space for fans to hang out and watch college football games from across the country. Also, "Grill Talk" with Jay Sandos will take place in the BrightRidge Media Zone beginning three hours prior to kickoff and will end as the BucWalk begins. Before leaving the Fan Zone, fans are encouraged to stop by the Food City tent and pick up a red rally towel, as the Bucs will continue their tradition of "Giving No Quarter" heading into the fourth quarter.  
 
No. 4 – Buc Walk: The Buc Walk will begin two hours prior to each home game. For Saturday's home opener, the Buc Walk starts at 1:30 p.m. 
 
No. 5 – First Look at Buccaneer Basketball: The men's basketball team will be holding an open practice prior to kickoff on Saturday. The practice is scheduled to run from Noon to 1 p.m. at the Basler Center for Physical Activity (CPA). Fans are welcome to attend this free scrimmage and get their first glimpse of Buccaneer hoops. 
 
 
No. 6 – In-Game Promotions: Getting the fans more involved is something ETSU looks forward to doing this Fall. ETSU Athletics is excited to announce the addition of three new in-game fan activities down on the field during each quarter/halftime break. These activities include the "Great Clips Kicking Challenge," "Food City Quarterback Skills Competition" and the "BrightRidge HiSpeed Race." 
 
For more information or to sign up for the chance to participate, please contact Director of Marketing and Fan Experience Micah Beutell via email at beutellm@etsu.edu or stop by the Guest Services Tent located on the concourse in the end zone.  
 
No. 7 – Aaron Blake to Sing National Anthem: American tenor Aaron Blake, touted as a "vocal powerhouse" by the Los Angeles Times" for his elegant portrayal of Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni will be signing the National Anthem on Saturday. In 2022, Blake was recognized by the recording academy for his high role as the High Priest of Amon in The Metropolitan Opera's Grammy Award Winning Album of Philip Glass's Akhnaten. Click here to learn more about Aaron Blake. 
 
No. 8 – Guest Services Moves Locations: The Guest Services tent is changing locations this season. This year, Guest Services will be located in the north end of Greene Stadium. Fans can stop by the tent to ask questions and pick up ETSU Athletics promotional materials. 
 
No. 9 – I Give a Buc: With the launch of the "I Give a Buc" campaign, fans will see QR code stickers throughout Greene Stadium. Fans can scan the QR code and make a donation to "I Give a Buc." For more about "I Give a Buc" please click HERE. 
 
No. 10 – Train Horn: Buccaneer fans will hear a new sound inside Greene Stadium this season. To tie in the history of the railway system with the university, this season we will be playing the sound of a train horn. The horn will sound when gates open, an hour before kickoff, 30 minutes prior to kickoff and on all ETSU first downs and touchdowns. 
 
No. 11 – Selfie Station: Get your picture taken at our new Selfie Station and have the opportunity to see it displayed on the video board inside Greene Stadium. The Selfie Station will be set up at the Food City Fan Zone and in Lot 21 pregame, while it'll be moved into the Club Room during the game. 
 
No. 12 – Blue/Gold Club Alumni Photo: ETSU Athletics wants to recognize its former Buccaneer alumni at each home game this season by taking a group photo at halftime. With five minutes remaining in halftime, former ETSU student-athletes are encouraged to go to the Foundation Rock at the east side of the stadium for a group picture. 
 
No. 13 – Alumni Pins: ETSU Athletic staff members will be distributing Athletics Alumni pins pregame in the tailgating lots, while they will also be available to be picked up at the Guest Services tent in the north end of Greene Stadium. 
 
No. 14 Broadcast Information: The Buccaneer Sports Network (BSN) will provide ETSU fans with complete pregame, in-game and postgame coverage on the Bucs' flagship station WXSM-AM 640 and affiliate station 104.9 FM NASH ICON. Click here for live audio. 
 
BSN begins its pregame programing one hour and 30 minutes prior to kickoff with the 30-minute Tennessee Lottery Tailgate Show, followed by the Pregame Show presented by Lafayette Heat & Air, which will lead up to 30 minutes prior to kickoff. The Appalachian Orthopedic Countdown to Kickoff will then lead into the final moments before kickoff.     
 
The broadcast team of "Voice of the Bucs" Jay Sandos and Don Helman will provide ETSU fans all the information they need to complement their game-day activities. 
 
At halftime, the crew will have the Mr. Electric Halftime Show, while fans can tune into the Mullican Flooring Post Game Show for a full wrap up, with game statistics, players and coach interviews and other post-game information.  
 
Saturday's game will also be broadcast on ESPN+ with the team of Keith Brake (play-by-play) and Mark Hutsell (analyst) on the call. 
 
No. 15 – Ticket Information: Fans can purchase tickets for Saturday's game in addition to season tickets online. For more information, click here. Students can pick up their tickets all week at the Carrier Center located on the second floor of the Culp Center or at the gate on gameday. 
 
No. 16 – LOUD NOISES: Fans are reminded the cannon will be utilized during Saturday's game. 
 
No. 17 – GIVE NO QUARTER: Speaking of loud noises, ETSU encourages its fans to GET LOUD for the "no quarter fourth quarter." Food City red rally towels are available to the first 1,500 fans at the Food City Fan Zone following the Buc Walk. A video presentation will begin at the end of the third quarter, prompting fans to wave their rally towels and show no mercy to the opposition. 
 
No. 18 - Tailgating: Parking lots will open Saturday at 8 a.m. Click here for the game day parking map. 
 
No. 19 - Clear Bag Policy and Enhanced Security: ETSU has a clear bag policy for all home football games inside William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium. In addition, security procedures including metal detectors and security wands will be employed at entry gates. Prohibited items inside the stadium will include the following:

• Outside food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages)
• Illegal drugs
• Firearms
• Tobacco Products
• Strollers
• Backpacks
• Pets
• Umbrellas
• Camping/Tailgating chairs 

For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.