Bristol Herald Mail
East Tennessee State Citadel
Radio: WXSM-AM 640/104.9 FM
From: The Citadel (0-10, 0-7) lost to Wofford, 11-3, last Saturday; ETSU (2-8, 1-6) lost to Western Carolina, 58-7, last Saturday.
What to watch for: Could this be George Quarles’ last game as ETSU head coach? That’s certainly the buzz around the ETSU program, which will conclude this season with either three wins — which would be a repeat of last year’s 3-8 campaign — or two wins, which would be ETSU’s comeback in football in 2016… Injuries have been a definite problem for the Bucs, who have used five quarterbacks this season at the most important position on the field… ETSU’s only wins this season have come against NCAA Division II, Carson-Newman and Wofford, who earned their first win last week against The Citadel… ETSU is just 5-16 in two seasons under Quarles… The Citadel has had its own issues this season, transitioning from the traditional triple-option offense to a more conventional offense, and it hasn’t been a smooth transition. The Maurice Drayton-coached Bulldogs averaged just 8.7 points per game, with a season-high 16, with five single-digit results through 10 games. ETSU has similar issues, reaching double figures only six out of 10 games, with game-highs of 42 and 41 in their wins… Recruiting will be key for the Bucs, who have not recovered from the loss of point guards game Quay Holmes and Jacob Saylors. the last two seasons. ETSU has also been hit hard by the transfer portal, something the Bucs need to address this offseason… Many seniors will play their final games for ETSU, including Stephen Scott, Will Huzzie, Jawan Martin and Max Evans…ETSU is 18-13 against the Bulldogs since the series was first played in 1966. That includes the Bucs falling last season to 20-17 at The Citadel when ETSU been ranked in the top 10 among Football Championship Series programs heading into the second game of 2022.
