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Bucs First Road Loss, Record now to 1-2 in Non-Conference Play
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Sept. 12, 2026)
The Bucs traveled down to ACC Country this Saturday to face the infamous Bill Belichick and the Carolina Tarheels. With both teams coming off of a win, this matchup will show the true colors of each. For ETSU, this will prove if ETSU can be consistent in the long game again a Power 5 team. However, for Carolina this will be the test of ‘Will Carolina beat themselves today?’
Quarter One; Bucs Kickoff
ETSU kicked off to start the clock, resulting in a touch back for UNC. Defense for The Bucs managed to keep Carolina’s Offense to 3 and out, and punting it back across midfield. ETSU’s Offense managed to push the ball back down the field 27 yards, but gave it up as Mims threw a interception by Carolina’s Gregory Smith III.
With Carolina back in control, they successfully completed a drive and were the first to pull ahead and put numbers on the board. ETSU took back control of the ball, but failed to respond with points. On ETSU’s punt from Luke Stewart, Xavier Gaillerdetz, ETSU WR, knocked it out at the 1 yard line to set Carolina up for a long drive.
Quarter Two;
On their drive just before the 2nd Quarter, Carolina pushed 36 yards towards ETSU’s End Zone. Carolina completed that same drive in the 2nd, bringing the score to 14-0 over The Bucs. Once ETSU received the ball back, Mims completed some spectacular plays including a 44 yard gain by way of Charlie Browder. This was offset by back to back penalties for a loss of 25. Ultimately forcing ETSU to go for a field goal from the 49, but was no good.
Carolina and ETSU then traded punts, but Carolina was able to close it out and make an additional touchdown to raise the deficit to a 21-0 lead over ETSU. The Bucs responded with attempting passing and rushing, but a sack for 11 yard loss and a 40 yard incomplete pass closed out the half.
Third Quarter;
ETSU opted to receive in the 2nd half, and on the first play fumbled it on their own 34 yard line. Within 2 minutes, Carolina scored and ETSU got another chance to put numbers on the board (28-0 Carolina).
The Bucs had a good drive and made it to the UNC 39, but was forced to punt, forcing Carolina to start again deep in their own territory, the 8 yard line. Carolina again was able to overcome The Bucs for another score, their final score of the game, 35-0.
At the End of the 3rd Quarter, Officials halted the game due to lightning and weather related concerns.
Fourth Quarter for ETSU;
After a lengthy weather delay, The Bucs and Tarheels picked it back up around 3:45 to finish out the matchup.
Neither team scored a touchdown this quarter, but with a little help from Mims and his Offense, ETSU was able to make a field goal with 3:57 left on the clock. This did ultimately keep ETSU from being shutout in a game that had not gone their way so far.
ETSU completed a successful 255 yards of offense, with Mason Mims going 23-31 and a resounding 178 passing yards. Ultimately Mims’ top pics to pass to were Browder, Harrison and Peyton. The Bucs did complete more 3rd down conversions, had more TOP, and more penalties than Carolina.
The Bucs will be back at home next Saturday, September 19th. ETSU will host West Georgia with a noon kickoff at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.
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