JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 16, 2024) – The No. 21 ETSU football team out-gained Furman by over 100 yards (425-282) but fell to the Paladins by a score of 24-21 on Saturday afternoon from Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium. Saturday's loss moves ETSU's record to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in SoCon play.

Saturday's Standouts – ETSU had some standout performances statistically on Saturday. Devontae Houston notched his second 100-yard rushing game of the season finishing with 103 yards on 12 carries (8.6 avg.) and a touchdown. AJ Johnson surpassed the century mark in receiving as well finishing with 106 yards on six catches. It is the third time that Johnson has had 100 or more yards in a game. Furthermore, Johnson is up to 662 receiving yards this season, which is the second most by a Buccaneer receiver since the program returned in 2015 (Will Huzzie – 798 in 2021).

Defensively, Ray Coney and William McRainey led the charge with 12 tackles each. Coney also had ETSU's lone sack in the game, while Jaden Woods added six tackles, forced a fumble to go with an interception. It was his first career interception.

How it Happened
First Quarter
Furman 7, ETSU 0 – A key fourth down stop by Furman's defense on ETSU's opening drive of the game set the Paladins up with excellent field position. Starting at ETSU's 34-yard line, Furman capped a six-play, 34-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Paladins the first lead of the game, 7-0.
 
Furman 7, ETSU 7 – ETSU wasted little time in answering the score by Furman. An 11-yard run by Jaylen King kicked things off and then Devontae Houston ripped off a 64-yard touchdown run to knot things up at 7-7 with 10:31 to go.
 
Second Quarter
Furman 14, ETSU 7 – As the second quarter began, both teams had lengthy drives. ETSU had a 14-play, 53-yard drive that ended in an interception. Furman, meanwhile, journeyed 60 yards, converted two third downs and another fourth down to eventually punch it in the end zone from two yards out to make it 14-7 Furman.
 
Third Quarter
Furman 14, ETSU 14 – With a deficit starting the second half, the Bucs started to get things going in the third quarter. A few short passes from Gino English opened the drive before English connected with Johnson on a big 35-yard strike to put the Bucs on Furman's 13-yard line. A pair of six-yard runs by Houston set up a short one-yard rush by English to tie the game at 14-14.
 
ETSU 21, Furman 14 – Following the interception by Woods, ETSU would gain its first lead of the game later in the third quarter. English found Xavier Gaillardetz on a 42-yard touchdown pass to pull in front with 6:04 to go in the frame.  
 
Furman 21, ETSU 21 – Furman would answer back with a pair of big pass plays on its next scoring drive. Beginning with its worst starting field possession of the game (Furman nine-yard line), the Paladins suddenly flipped the field with a 37-yard catch. Furman continued to move the ball into Buccaneer territory and then broke through with a 30-yard touchdown pass to again tie the game.
 
Fourth Quarter
Furman 24, ETSU 21 – Another ETSU turnover set the Paladins up with great field position at the Bucs' 11 yard-line. A trio of runs led into a 21-yard field goal attempt that split the uprights to put Furman back in front, 24-21. Furman was able to close out the game on Saturday with a dominating fourth quarter. The Paladins held the ball for over 11 minutes (11:27) to finish off their win over the Bucs.
 
Other Notables on the Bucs
·       Saturday was the final home for 15 Buccaneers. The seniors recognized were Di'Andre Davis, McRainey, Woods, Zach West, English, Cam Sims, Bryson Irby, Chris Hope, William Riddle, Trey Foster, Teddy Wilson, Gabe Thompson, Luke Smith, Brandon Wilson and Willie Harris.
·       ETSU finished with 200 yards rushing against the Paladins. It is the sixth time that the Bucs have ran for 200 or more yards in a game and the ninth time running for 150 yards or more. With the 200 rushing yards, that brings the season total to 2,135 yards. That is the eighth-most in program history. Additionally, the 194.1 yards a game the Bucs are averaging on the ground are the sixth-most.
·       With 425 yards of the total offense on Saturday, the Bucs have now totaled 4,563 yards offensively in 2024. Only the 2021 (5,319 yards) and the 1996 (5,041 yards) teams have outgained the 2024 Buccaneers.
·       King ran for 16 yards on Saturday bringing his season total to 422. With 78 yards, King would become the second ETSU quarterback to run for 500 or more yards in a season joining Jeff Morgan in 1987.
·       The one sack by ETSU boosted its season total to 35 on the season. Those 35 sacks are tied for the sixth-most in SoCon history with the 2014 and 2022 teams from Chattanooga.


Next Up – ETSU will close out the regular season next Saturday when it visits VMI. Kickoff between the Bucs and Keydets is set for Noon.

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