ETSU Football’s Rise Was Not Rapid

Things are, for the most part, looking up. But it didn’t take “only” four years, and the Bucs were behind the curve to have a winning season behind their startup peers.

Things are looking up for the East Tennessee State football team. Even if the Buccaneers don’t meet their eight-victory mark of last season, the third-highest single season victory total in school history, the Bucs have:

A- The best defense in the Southern Conference, led by preseason Conference Defensive Player of the Year Nigel Player.

B- The consensus best running back in the conference in Quay Holmes.

If he can shake the demon of fumbling at the goal line on his way to the tying fourth quarter touchdown in the playoffs, ETSU fans can look forward to three more years of a strong ground game behind Quay Holmes.

C- A home field environment described by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press’ Gene Henley on my radio program as the best in the conference.

True, the Bucs’ passing game is suspect with an unsettled quarterback situation and the question who he’ll be throwing to in the first place.

And the schedule gets tougher with two games against FCS opponents as well as the traditional slate of SoCon opponents in a season where it appears anybody can beat anyone in the league in a single game, a la the National Football League.

But the Bucs are expected to finish in the top half of the league. Two of 29 media members voted for ETSU to win the conference.