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East Tennessee State University

Ezra Sexton lays in the end zone after scoring a touchdown to end the first half in the 2025 Ballad Health Spring Game

Football

Offense triumphs in Ballad Health Spring Game

Offense stages second half comeback to earn the win

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.

ETSU football alumni gather at midfield during halftime of the 2025 Ballad Health Spring Game

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.
 
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Players Mentioned

Jaylen King

#2 Jaylen King

QB
6' 3"
Sophomore
Ezra Sexton

#24 Ezra Sexton

RB
5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
Travien Watson

#85 Travien Watson

WR
5' 11"
Freshman
Chauncey Felts

#46 Chauncey Felts

LB
5' 10"
Freshman
Izay Bridges

#82 Izay Bridges

WR
5' 8"
Freshman
Devin Ingram

#20 Devin Ingram

RB
5' 8"
Freshman
Jackson Byrd

#13 Jackson Byrd

QB
6' 0"
Freshman
Jacolby Criswell

#6 Jacolby Criswell

QB
6' 1"
Graduate Student
Cade McNamara

#11 Cade McNamara

QB
6' 1"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Jaylen King

#2 Jaylen King

6' 3"
Sophomore
QB
Ezra Sexton

#24 Ezra Sexton

5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
RB
Travien Watson

#85 Travien Watson

5' 11"
Freshman
WR
Chauncey Felts

#46 Chauncey Felts

5' 10"
Freshman
LB
Izay Bridges

#82 Izay Bridges

5' 8"
Freshman
WR
Devin Ingram

#20 Devin Ingram

5' 8"
Freshman
RB
Jackson Byrd

#13 Jackson Byrd

6' 0"
Freshman
QB
Jacolby Criswell

#6 Jacolby Criswell

6' 1"
Graduate Student
QB
Cade McNamara

#11 Cade McNamara

6' 1"
Graduate Student
QB