CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Sept. 11, 2026) – The ETSU football team will hit the road for the first time this season on Saturday when it visits North Carolina. Kickoff between the Buccaneers and Tar Heels is set for Noon from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 12:02 p.m. ET
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C. | Kenan Stadium
Teams: (RV) ETSU (1-1, 0-0 SoCon) at North Carolina (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
Weather: 84 degrees, overcast
Live Video: ACC Network
TV Crew: Roxy Bernstien (pbp), Dave Clawson (analyst), Madison Hock (sideline)
Live Audio: WXSM-AM 640
Radio Crew: Jay "Voice of the Bucs" Sandos (pbp), Mark Hutsell (analyst), Robert Harper (sideline)
Live Stats: ETSUBucs.com (Statbroadcast)
X:
@ETSUFootball
THINGS TO KNOW – Please click
HERE for all the "Things to Know" for Saturday's matchup with the Tar Heels, presented by Citizens Bank.
LAST TIME OUT – ETSU picked up its first win of the season on Saturday as it knocked off Tusculum by a score of 48-14. With the victory, the Bucs are now 1-1 this season.
PLENTY OF POINTS SCORED - The 48 points scored by the Bucs were the second-most that the team has scored over the last two seasons (52 vs. Western Carolina in 2025). Their scoring offense of 42.5 points per game currently leads the SoCon. The point production by the Bucs early this season has been the best it has been in recent memory. The 85 points scored by ETSU through the first two games this season are the most by the program to begin any campaign since the 1999 season when they scored 89.
SOPHOMORE WITH A STANDOUT PERFORMANCE - Running back
TJ Peyton led the charge for ETSU's offense in Saturday's win over Tusculum. The Georgia State transfer ran for a career-high 121 yards on 11 carries (11.0 yards per carry) and a pair of touchdowns. Peyton, who is also averaging 33.3 yards per kick return this season as well, paces all SoCon rushers in yards per carry (7.7) and rushing touchdowns (3) through two weeks of the season, while ranking ninth in the FCS with 201 rushing yards.
FRESHMAN QB FINDING EARLY SEASON SUCCESS - Quarterback
Mason Mims earned his first win as a college quarterback on Saturday after going 13-for-21 with 242 yards, and three touchdown passes. Mims, who has five passing touchdowns in 2026, ranks in the top 10 among FCS signal callers in passing yards, yards per attempt, passing touchdowns, passing efficiency, and completion percentage.
NEED A PLAY, CALL ON NUMBER NINE - ETSU's receiving yardage leader for the second straight week was Virginia transfer
Suderian Harrison. Harrison finished the win over the Pioneers with three catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. Harrison has eight catches for 170 receiving yards through two games, which is 21.3 yards per catch. Furthermore, seven of Harrison's eight catches so far in 2026 have been for a first down or a touchdown.
SOCON LEADING TACKLER RESIDES IN JOHNSON CITY - Senior linebacker
Dre Delinois had another double-digit tackle game in the win over the Pioneers with 11. Through two games, Delinois paces all SoCon players with 22 tackles. Additionally, Delinois passed 100 career tackles during last week's win over Tusculum.
SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS - North Carolina began its 2026 season with a 15-10 win over TCU on August 29 in Dublin, Ireland. UNC's defense did not allow a point in the final 49 minutes of action in its victory over the Horned Frogs. The Tar Heels are coached by six-time Super Bowl winning Head Coach Bill Belichick. Belichick, who went 4-8 in his first season in Chapel Hill, has overhauled UNC's roster as it currently has 40 freshmen and 20 redshirt freshmen ready for 2026. North Carolina's incoming freshman class was rated as the 12th-best nationally entering the 2026 season.
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit
ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.
