JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 11, 2025) – East Tennessee State University football ended spring practice on a high note with the offense's 41-35 victory over the defense on Friday night.
The rain that drizzled all day prior and throughout warmups cleared at kickoff, as the offense and defense took the field in the revamped format for 2025. It was the defensive side of the ball that got out to the hot start in the cold, forcing a first possession turnover when three defenders combined to force and recover a fumble that would have put the offense on the edge of the red zone.
Two more stops followed, giving the defense a 21-0 lead before the offense garnered its first touchdown on a two-yard pass from graduate quarterback
Jacolby Criswell to redshirt freshman running back
Chauncey Felts.
The defense buckled back down, forcing two more stops to get to a 35-7 lead before the offense clawed back on the final play before halftime. Redshirt sophomore running back
Ezra Sexton ran straight up the middle on fourth and goal as time expired in the quarter and fell into the end zone.
The Buccaneers recognized numerous alumni from previous eras of the program at halftime, and featured several fan-interactive moments throughout the spring game, including a field goal kick, punt return and calling a play.
In the second half, the offense kicked into full gear. With the running clock down to 12 minutes per quarter for the third and fourth, four methodical drives followed, led by a ground game that totaled 49 carries on the day.
Devin Ingram led all rushers with 15 carries and 41 yards, and added a second half touchdown.
13 different players tallied carries, including
Jaylen King and
Izay Bridges, who found pay dirt in the second half to bring the game to a 35-35 tie. The passing game also found traction in the second half, completing 22 of 33 passes for 240 yards in the game, including 91 yards from graduate quarterback
Cade McNamara. The offense totaled 393 yards in the exhibition.
Freshman quarterback
Jackson Byrd entered at quarterback for the final, game-deciding drive and connected with sophomore wide receiver
Travien Watson with a 29 yard dime to set the offense up inside the red zone. From there, Felts completed the comeback with a two yard run up the middle to win the game.
ETSU will officially begin the
Will Healy era and the 2025 season on Saturday, August 30, at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium against Murray State.
To purchase season tickets for the 2025 ETSU football season, visit
ETSUTickets.com or call 423-439-3878.
For more information on Buccaneer football, follow @ETSUFootball on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, and visit ETSUBucs.com.