CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Oct. 16, 2025) - It is an in-state rivalry weekend for the ETSU football team as the squad heads south to face Chattanooga in The Rail Rivalry. Below are the "Things to Know" presented by Citizens Bank.
No. 1 – Kickoff - Saturday's game will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium.
No. 2 – 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 those with HD radio can listen on 101.5 WQUT HD-2. Click
here for live audio.
BSN begins its pregame programming 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, former ETSU quarterback Matt Wilhjelm (analyst), and sideline reporter Robert Harper will provide ETSU fans with all the information they need to complement their game-day activities.
At halftime, the crew will have the Hometown Plumbing 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+.
No. 3 – Rail Rivalry – Saturday marks the seventh edition of the Rail Rivalry. The Rail, which is made from a former railroad tie that once connected Johnson City and Chattanooga, weighs 108 pounds – which represents the halfway point of the 216 miles that separate Johnson City and Chattanooga – and measures five feet, seven inches in length – which marked the 57th meeting when the trophy was implemented in 2018. The Rail incorporates not only the wood of the railroad tie, but steel in honor of the rails that connected the ties on the track. The Rail also includes stars in the state of Tennessee to represent Johnson City and Chattanooga. In addition, the logos of both athletic programs are included on The Rail.
No. 4 – Gameday Information - Directions to Finley Stadium, parking information and tailgating policies can be found
HERE.
No. 5 – Ticket Information – Tickets for Saturday's game are still available through UTC's ticket office. To buy your tickets, click
HERE.
No. 6 – Series History - Saturday will mark the 48
th meeting between the Bucs and Mocs in a series that dates back to 1961.
No. 7 – Alumni Tailgate – A pregame tailgate will be hosted by the ETSU National Alumni Association, ETSU Foundation President's Circle, and the ETSU Chattanooga Alumni Club before ETSU takes on UTC on Saturday, October 18 in the North Lot at Finley Stadium. Cost is $10 for adults and children 5 years and younger are free. To register, click
HERE.
No. 8 – Home Ticket Info – While you're preparing to cheer on the Bucs do not forget to purchase your tickets for the next home games!
To secure your tickets:
- Visit ETSUTickets.com
- Call the ETSU Ticket Office at 423-439-3878 or email tickets@etsu.edu
- Stop by the ETSU Athletics Ticket Office located on the West side, second floor of the mini dome
Students can pick up their tickets all week, on game weeks, at the Carrier Center located on the second floor of the Culp Center or at the gate on gameday. Click
here for student ticket info. Also, sales tax is now charged on all ticket purchases for ETSU Athletics. This includes both pre-purchased sales and walk-up sales.
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit
ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.
