CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Nov. 11, 2023) – The ETSU football team suffered a 58-7 setback to No. 17 Western Carolina in the Blue Ridge Border Battle on Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.
The Bucs went ahead 7-3 on a three-yard rushing touchdown by
Trey Foster with 7:46 remaining in the first quarter.
Then it was all Catamounts.
Western Carolina scored the final 55 points as the Catamounts kept the Blue Ridge Border Battle trophy for a second straight year.
With the loss, ETSU dropped to 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the SoCon play, while the Catamounts improved to 7-3, 5-2.
Following the Foster rushing touchdown, which was set up by a 35-yard catch from
Xavier Gaillardetz, Western Carolina scored on four of its final five drives to end the first half and first five drives to start the second half.
The Bucs finished with 215 yards of total offense (132 passing, 83 rushing), while the Catamounts' offense generated 687 yards (513 passing, 174 rushing). Foster led the Bucs with 58 yards rushing on 15 carries with the one score.
William Riddle got the start at quarterback and went 2-for-5 for 64 yards and
Haynes Eller finished the contest going 3-for-8 for 68 yards. Gaillardetz and
Tommy Winton, III accounted for the five receptions. Winton ended with three catches for 89 yards.
Defensively,
Chris Hope and
Sheldon Arnold, II both registered double-digit tackles. Hope tied a career high with 12 hits and Arnold recorded his third career game with double digit tackles as he tallied 11.
ETSU turned the ball over four times – three interceptions and one fumble – resulting in 24 points. Western Carolina didn't turn the ball on its 83 plays ran on the afternoon. The Bucs ran 49 plays on offense.
Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzalez completed 25 of his 38 attempts for 363 yards and five touchdowns. Censere Lee led the Catamounts with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Branson Adams rushed for 110 yards (17 attempts) and one touchdown.
The Bucs close out the 2023 season next Saturday when ETSU hosts The Citadel at 1 p.m. at Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium.
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.
