Top News: ETSU Zeroes In on UVA Wise as Home Opener Countdown Begins!
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Labor Day Monday, the Bucs were hard at work in the facility, gearing up for their home opener against UVA Wise this Saturday.
“I’m just thrilled to be back in this stadium,” head coach Tre Lamb remarked during his press conference.
“We’re so eager to experience that atmosphere again,” said sophomore linebacker Ray Coney. “The Buc Walk, all the fans with their signs… I can’t wait for Saturday!”
The Blue and Gold faced a tough challenge in their season opener, suffering a 38-10 defeat to Appalachian State. After a competitive start, the Mountaineers pulled away in the fourth quarter, scoring on three straight drives.
“We lost our grip a bit in the fourth due to some depth issues,” Lamb noted. “Our offense struggled and we allowed too many big plays on defense.”
Despite this setback, there are plenty of positive takeaways as ETSU heads into Week 2, particularly with a strong showing in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The offensive line led the team to out-rush their opponents, 183-174.
“We performed well up front,” Lamb noted. “But we can’t go praising them too much,” he added with a smile. “Sometimes when you hype up a position group, they don’t deliver the next week. We need to emphasize the need for improvement.”
The Bucs are eager to secure their first win of the season as they welcome the Highland Cavs this weekend. Wise is also beginning a new chapter in their football program, with Gary Bass stepping in after several seasons at Quincy (IL).
Lamb recognizes the risk of overlooking a Division II team, especially with a Top-5 opponent like North Dakota State scheduled for September 14 in Johnson City.
However, he is insisting that his team concentrate on the immediate challenge.
“We can’t afford to overlook UVA Wise,” he said. “We need to secure our first win, improve our play, and clarify our identity. It’s essential to focus on this week and deliver a great performance for our fans during the first game at Greene Stadium.”
“Taking it one game at a time is crucial,” senior tight end Cameron Lewis remarked. “If you look ahead, you’re not fully preparing for the challenge right in front of you.”
According to Lamb, this week’s practice will focus heavily on ‘good-on-good’ drills to ensure improvement from Week 1 to Week 2.
“We just need to play our style of football,” Coney stated. “Whether or not we know what they’re planning, we need to bring our attitude and mindset. That way, we’ll come out on top this Saturday.”
Kickoff at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evening.