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East Tennessee State University is back at home after a trip to Chapel Hill last week bringing home a loss. The Bucs host West Georgia Wolves, a fellow Division 1 team and member of the UAC. The only matchup between ETSU and UWG was in 2025, at University Stadium. The Bucs are 0-1 in this rivalry, and are looking to even the score on home turf. This matchup is kicking off at Noon EST.
Quarter One
ETSU set the tone early against West Georgia by winning the coin toss and electing to receive. Though their first play from scrimmage was a deep, incomplete shot, the Buccaneers quickly recovered with a 39-yard explosive play, establishing a highly balanced attack right out of the gate. Additionally, on their next drive, quarterback Mason Mims extended the possession with a crucial 3-yard scramble for a first down. That secondary drive completely drained the opening frame, spanning 18 plays. Also, this milked 7:13 off the clock while heavily shifting the script to the ground with 16 rushes and just two completions.
Quarter Two for The Bucs
Trailing and needing a spark, quarterback Mason Mims and the ETSU offense answered forcefully. Mims connected with Tyler Griffin for a 16-yard gain, and a West Georgia personal foul added extra yardage to the play. Moments later, an incomplete pass to Winton in the end zone drew a crucial pass interference penalty, granting the Bucs a first down at the 19-yard line. Ty Peyton capped off the 7-play, 73-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, pulling the Bucs back into the game after a 3:08 possession.
The ETSU defense quickly found its footing on the ensuing drive when linebacker Jeremiah Curry (#35) blew up a play for a three-yard loss, forcing a West Georgia punt into a touch-back with 4:29 left in the half.
With the momentum firmly back in their hands, the Buccaneers orchestrated a lightning-fast response. Mims sparked the drive with a 25-yard strike to Harrison, which was immediately followed by a spectacular, career-long 40-yard burst from Jaiden Daniels to set the Bucs up at the 10-yard line. Mims then punctuated the 7-play, 80-yard drive by firing an 8-yard touchdown pass to V. Nalls—marking Nalls’ first career touchdown—and capping a flawless 2:36 scoring drive just before halftime.
Quarter 3
The third quarter proved to be a challenging stretch for the ETSU defense, as recurring personal fouls and blown coverage began to take a toll. West Georgia capitalized immediately on these gaps, capping off their drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass from FitzGerald to Josh Schuchts.
Later in the frame, defensive lineman Eugene Ware III (#7) breathed some life into the defense with a massive 13-yard sack, forcing a daunting second-and-23. However, the Wolves quickly answered the adversity, executing a 21-yard completion that allowed them to convert and secure a fresh set of downs. The quarter repeatedly exposed a noticeable lack of defensive depth for the Buccaneers, as West Georgia pass-catchers routinely found themselves wide open downfield. The missed assignments culminated in UWG marching down the field for their second touchdown of the quarter.
Just as the momentum seemed completely lost, the game flipped entirely on special teams and defense. A short, 22-yard punt by West Georgia initially gave ETSU excellent field position late in the third. Though the Buccaneer offense went three-and-out, their subsequent punt pinned the Wolves deep at their own 1-yard line. On the very next sequence, ETSU defensive back Mike Jenkins delivered the play of the game, snagging a thrilling pick-six to swing the lead back to the Buccaneers at 28-24.
Quarter 4
The fourth quarter began as a defensive stalemate, with both offenses stalling and ETSU’s Mason Mims suffering a devastating 12-yard sack.
After Mims was dropped for a third time in the game, the Buccaneers offense answered the adversity with a historic, game-defining play. Facing pressure, Mims launched a deep ball to Winton, who took it all the way for a stunning 88-yard touchdown—shattering the record for the longest scoring pass in ETSU history and extending the Bucs’ lead.
The defensive battle came with a cost, as Brenden LeBlanc was forced to walk off the field due to an injury. While the Buccaneer defense successfully stiffened inside the red zone to deny West Georgia a touchdown, the Wolves hit a field goal to narrow the deficit to 35-27.
The game’s final minute was packed with drama. West Georgia’s Andrew Ruffin blocked an ETSU punt with just 57 seconds remaining, giving the Wolves a late spark. However, the Bucs’ defense suffocated the comeback attempt, forcing UWG into a desperate fourth-and-10 situation from their own 47-yard line with only 28 seconds on the clock.
West Georgia quarterback FitzGerald launched one final Hail Mary toward TJ Lockley (#1), but the pass fell incomplete. Ultimately, with the victory secured, ETSU took the victory formation to run out the remaining clock, sealing a thrilling 35-27 final victory.
Bucs Looking Forward to Week 4;
ETSU will open SoCon play next weekend when they host Western Carolina University with a 3:30 kick at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium in Johnson City, TN. The record is current 27-27-1 between these two rivals. However, both hoping to take the lead in the Battle of the Blue Ridge.
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