NO. 3 UTC (4-0, 2-0 SoCon) at ETSU (2-1, 1-1)
Noon > Kermit Tipton Stadium, Johnson City, Tenn.
96.1 FM/SoCon Digital Network (online)
THE MATCHUP
East Tennessee State hasn’t been explosive on offense, but when the Bucs have won they have moved the ball effectively, not turned it over and chewed up time. UTC’s defense will try to get pressure on quarterback Austin Herink from Cleveland High School, which could possibly force turnovers and give the Mocs more possessions.
ONE TO WATCH
UTC linebacker Nakevion Leslie has been flirting with his first interception in 20 games the past couple of weeks, with three passes broken up against Furman and another against Samford last week. He continually seems to be involved in the play, so one wouldn’t be surprised if he got both hands on a pass for a pickoff this week.
IN THE END
This eventually will be a rivalry again, but this year isn’t that time. The Bucs made some noise by defeating Kennesaw State and Western Carolina and have improved in leaps and bounds from where they were a year ago when they restored their program, but the only way this game resembles a 68-7 final such as was the case in the last meeting (in 2003) is if the Mocs are on the winning end.
Prediction
UTC 39, ETSU 8