he Bucs were up for the challenge on Saturday, handing then-ranked No. 18 VMI a 27-20 loss at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium in Johnson City, Tenn. With the win, ETSU claimed the first ever Top-25 showdown in Greene Stadium history, as well as joined Mercer and Chattanooga atop the league standings.
Following the victory over the Keydets, the Bucs jumped to 11th in the latest Stats Perform FCS Top 25 ranking and 12th in the most recent AFCA Coaches Top 25 poll.
The Bucs used their defense and ground game to put away the Keydets, forcing three turnovers in the first quarter to jump out to a 14-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of play. Add to that an effort that held the Keydets to 13.6 points below their average and you have a recipe for success. ETSU scampered for 242 yards on the ground, including 161 yards by Quay Holmes (Powder Springs, Ga.) with two touchdowns to his credit.
ETSU will now turn its focus to the annual Blue Ridge Border Battle as the Buc travel to Cullowhee, N.C. for a showdown against the Western Carolina Catamounts on Saturday at 2 p.m.
